Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01

show that the commercial automobile Is
increasing in use at faster rate than
the passenger car. During 1927 pas
senger cars increased IL per cent over
1925, while for the same period trucks
and buses increased 10.1 per cent.
As for the loss Of business by the
railroads to automotive transportation,
the railroad experts also know quite well
that on January /, 1928, there were "a
2l1.6S7 automobiles Of all types in the
United States and Canada. Every one
of these cars, trucks and buses had
many persons aboard who formerly de-
pended upon railroads for Transports
ton.
The railroads know, however, that
much of the passenger traffic in auto
mobiles Is new business. 1t represents
travelling that people would not do
without the motor car. But much Of 1t
represents trafic that would otherwise
use railroads and has gone to the new
form OF transportation because 1t Ia
more attractive for one reason or an
other.
Trying TO Stop Losses.
The way local trains have been dis
continued now Is an old story. It Is
apparent also that railroads are losing
to the automobile good deal Of long
distance transportation which seemed
secure. Freight losses to trucks are
equally impressive. The railroads think
something can be done about 1t and are
proceeding to do 1t.
For hauls up to 800 miles some rail-
roads are putting on truck lines Of their
own. And as shown In the passenger
field, the railroads are competing with
the buses for that part Of the public
which does not own automobiles, and
which, when it travels, makes q choice
between a train and bus-or soon per-
haps an airplane. The railroads seem
to intend that in the item Of comfort
or luxury the bus shall not have the
edge on them.
A. G. Pack, chief inspector Of the
Bureau of Locomotive Inspection Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission. in
addressing a division of the American
Railway Association at Atlantic City on
June %. struck somewhat the same note
Mr.. Ashton emphasized. namely, that
the railroads must improve. He made
this significant comment:
Must Improve or Quit.
To-day the railroad that fails to i'm
prove Is eliminated either through COM
petition or legal measures" While he
did not specify what competition might
eliminate the railroads 1t goes without
saying that motor car transportation
was in his mind as well as competition
by other railroads.
1t was following his remarks that G. ].
Chenworth of Wilmington, N c., de-
clared that motor trucks are being used
in the South Atlantic States for hauls
UP to 800 miles. The railroads, it was
revealed at the convention, are improv-
ing operating conditions all along the
line. II is realized that improvement in
schedules, in mechanical equipment and
otherwise must 60 along with greater
comfort to passengers.
The motor transport division Of the
Railroad Association will hold another
meeting in Detroit on October "A and
IS. when further expansion in the motor
adjuncts of railroads win be recorded
and a check-up made on the progress
railroads have achieved in competition
with independent truck and bus lines.
A Joint conference of the motor trans
port division and the automotive In
dustry was held at the Atlantic City
convention. Friendly enemies Is the
slogan in the intensified competition
among all transportation systems