Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-02
TRANSPORTATION
BOARD IS URGED
National Agency to Aid Trav-
eIers and Shippers Pro-
posed to Hoover.

Creation of a national transportation
board to be made of representatives
from existing agencies of the Govern
ment which are interested in the va
rious phases Of transportation was rec
commended to President Hoover today
by a group of automobile manufacturers
who are in Washington attending the
meetings of the National Automobile
Chamber of Commerce.
In advocating SUCH a board it was
pointed out to the President that the
transportation problem is becoming
vital one and that in view of the fact
that virtually everybody is more or less
interested the solving of the problem
should be approached from a detached
viewpoint.
1t was suggested that such a board
would be very helpful to the travelling
and shipping public. Roy D. Chaplin of
the board OF the Hudson Motor Co. of
Detroit, who was spokesman for this
group, in advocating this board, stated
that with the expansion of highway
use naturally comes the broad question
Of its relation to other forms OF trans
portation.
1t is our belief" Mr.. Chaplin told
the President, that there is place for
all and that modern requirements OF
trade and travel cannot be met except
as the fullest use is made of airways,
railways, waterways and highways For
this reason we advocate the creation of
a transportation board in. order that
studies of facts may be expedited In the
interests Of tho r0,ih1jr
Also Discuss Expansion.
The group of automobile leaders also
discussed the means of expanding motor
transportation facilities both here and
abroad, explaining that more than l.
000,000 motor vehicles will be shipped
to l04 countries during the present year.
The President was advised that the de-
mand for better motor transportation
and transportation facilities is world
wire. as the motor vehicle has been
recognized as a necessary agency in
transportation. and that when it is
realized that as yet but 90 per cent
OF the now in service are running out
side the United States some concep-
ton can be formed as to what the
future may hold.
In this connection Mr. Chaplin told
which stand In the way of the further
expansion of this commerce and all
that 1t means to employment here are
the lack of adequate highways and
artificial barriers to trade, such as
motor vehicle tariffs and indirect dis
elimination in the form Of unduly high
internal taxes. He added that in this
country, as well as abroad, there Is
an urgent and continuing need for
highway expansion. He said the funds
for Federal aid in this connection
should be increased and more attention
should be given to the development O.
roads in public land areas. such as our
forests and parks.
I'VE believe" Mr.. Chaplin continued,
that the United States would perform
economic service of world Importance
If it will make available to other coun-
tries the services OF Government engi-
neers not for building of highways, but
to consult with engineers of other coun-
tries when requested In the further
ance of such progress as the Interna-
tional Road Congress to be held here In
1880 and the Pan-American Highway
Congress at Rio de Janeiro next July
the Government has already undertaken
wise policy of cooperation which cam
not but be fruitful of great good to all
concerned, and which should be en-
couraged and expanded in the future"
Aside from their conference with the
President today, this motor group had
meetings with the Secretary Of State,
the Secretary of Agriculture, the Sec
rotary of Commerce, members of Con-
gress and Thomas H. Macdonald. chief
Of the Bureau of Public Roads. In the
group, besides Mr.. Chaplin, were A. J.
Brosseau, president, Mack Truck Co.,
New York; Walter P. Chrysler, presi-
dent of the ChrySler Corporation, De-
troit; A. r. Erskine president of the
Studebaker Corporation, South Bend,
Ind; Edsel Ford. president of the Ford
Motor Co, Detroit: F. J. Haynes, presi-
dent of the Durant Motor Co, Detroit;
Alvin MacCauley, president Packard
Motor Car Co.. Detroit; c. w. Nash,
president of the Nash Motor Co, Ke-
nosha, Wis; II. H. Rice. assistant to the
president of the General Motors Cor
poration Detroit: F. A. Seiberling, pres
ident of the Seiberling Rubber Co. Ak
ron. Ohio; Alfred H. Swsyne, vice presi
dent General Motors Corporation, New
York; John WHY'S, president WHY'S
Overland Co, Toledo. and Alfred
Reeves, general manager, and Pike
johnson, National Automobile Chamber
of Commerce.