Evening star., 1928-04-22
CONGRESS TO WRESTLE
WITH BUS PROBLEMS
Regulation of Motor Transport, With
Its Meteoric Growth. Faces
Many Issues.

J thority to fix freight and passenger
rates and otherwise regulate railroads
and steamship lines,
/ The growth of motor traffic due to
/ the invention and successful develop
ment of ths internal combustion engine.
! has been meteoric. The railroads
both steam and electric-and steam
ship lines are losing business at rapid
i rate in consequence. Many railway
bus business themselves for their own
preservation. using the motor vehicles
as feeders for their rail lines
That the public is benefiting by the
/ increase of motor bus traffic seems TO
be certain. The buSSeS penetrate into
/ thousands Of places where rail lines do
not or cannot conveniently so. The
I population of the cities is spreading out
/ into the country districts. More and
more people everywhere are coming to
prefer easy, comfortable riding in motor
buses to the iostling of street cars
II Is quicker, too. in most instances
There were approximately 10000 mo-
tor buses in the United States iii Janu-
arv Of last wear. when the last count
was made Since then they are known
TO hav. increased at tremendous rate.
A large number of these buses are en-
cacd in traffic across State lines. From
the small touring cars which were origi-
nally used as buses, the development
has beer steady in both mechanical and
body equipment. The huSSeS have been
made Sa.ss, more convenient and more
comfortable for passengers. Now we
have parlor coaches equipped with re-
clinine chairs, observation compart-
ments. lavatory facilities and dining
service on some routes. There Is no
longer a:.v 5oChs :h2t he bussec ksvc
won a permanent place in our tranSpor-
tation system. Their popularity for
short trips is no longer denied, and
long-haul bus lines are increasing in
number
There is no uniform basis for fixing
rates for bus travel. The standard rate
Tor passenger travel on steam railroads
throughout the United States is SO
cents mile. Bus fares vary In different
sections and are influenced. as Mr.
Flvnn points out. by operating condi-
tions and the competition of the car
riers.
Serious Complaints Made.
One of the chief reasons for the grow
ing popularity of motor bus travel is the
frequency of the arrivals and depar-
lures. accompanied by the facility OF
picking up and dischargsng passengers
at almost amy point on the highway.
While bus service on regularly certified
routes is generally satisfactory through
out the country. there have been serious
complaints against the operations OF
non-certified, unregulated interstate
lines. which have sprung up since the
STATE regulatory bodies were deprived
by the Supreme Court decision. of such
control as they had Heretofore exer-
cised over interstate motor carriers.
These non -certificated bus operators are
FREQUENTLY referred TO as "wildcatterS.
and MFR. Flynn found that they have
worked considerable injury TO regular
and responsible bus Inns. not only by
cutting rates below what is claimed to
be an economic basis. bat also because
the financial responsibility and repre-
10 dis,redit reputable and responsible
bus operations with the public.
II the Parker bill. which Is based
largely upon the recommendations OF
Mr. Flynn. or some similar measure,
becomes a Law. The "wildcatters" will
find themselves compelled To abide by
regulations that will apply equitably
10 ali bus lines engaged in interstate
commerce. 4
Cooperative Regulation.
Much Of a technical nature has al
ready been written about the various
plans for regulating bus lines. and
they need not be discussed IN detail
here. 1t may be said, however. that
the plan recommended by Mr.. Flynn
and embodied In the Parker bill Is
for cooperative. regulation by the Fed
eral Government and the State govern
ments. with the Interstate Commerce
Commission acting in an advisory ca
pacity.
There is no thought of attempting
TO regulate motor vehicles operated by
the owners incidentally 10 the conduct
Of their business.
Original jurisdiction in the admin
istration Of regulatory provisions for
motor buSses engaged in interstate
commerce would be vested in such
state commissions as notify the Inter-
state Commerce Commission that they
viii act. 1t is proposed TO have the
Federal commission act with original
jurisdiction whenever a State board
fails TO notify that commission Of its
acceptance Of the delegated authority
10 act under the Federal statute. and
until such notice is received.
Joint boards composed OF two or
more State boards or representatives
Of such State boards and Of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission. when act
ing as a State board, would be author
lZed 10 act wherever the commerce
is carried on in two or more States,
Any party would be given the right
TO appeal from the action Of State
board or q joint board TO the Inter-
state Commerce Commission.