Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-07

position Of the properties sought by
both. And in getting their programs
before the commission at time when
important amendments to the law af-
fecting consolidation are at stake they
may be able soon TO command oficial
support for them" The Buffalo Eve
ming News refers to washington opinion
that there is q determination on the
part OF the two applying groups To
force the New York Central and the
Pennsylvania to show their hands-to
present plans Of their own for railroad
consolidation in the Eastern territory"
and concludes that there soon may be
an end Of jockeying and q beginning
Of effective treatment Of the problem
Of rail transportation"
X \ -
Altogether the step taken by the
Baltimore 81 Ohio offers something very
like a test case, In a field in which
there has been a deal of discussion
and dearth OF practical results" says
the Manchester Union. The Bingham
ton Press, however. contends: The
new developments bring the compli-
Gated railroad consolidation problem no
nearer solution. The Interstate Com
merce Commission has not been willing
to take the responsibilities of fixing
terms Of financing and allocating the
short lines and repeatedly has asked
Congress to relieve it of the task Of
preparing even tentative uniflcation
groupings. The present stage Of nego-
tiationS appears 70 emphasize old OBJ
stacles and raise new obstacles.
1.-The Baltimore g. Ohio" the Phila-
delphia Evening Bulletin advises, has
a strong case for its demand for better
opportunities east and west of its GEN.
trail field, which 1t has so successfully
developed. President Wizards manage
ment has proved its efficiency under
handicaps and now rightfully asks that
the weights be taken off and it be given
more freedom to prove itself
It would mean more or less increase
Of competition for the Pennsylvania. TO
be sure. But there is still some virtue,
from the public point Of view, in COM
petition. even In railroad enterprise. and
the Pennsy Is not to be ruined by
little rivalry"
y r
1T Is pointed out as highly encourage
ing" states the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
that the B. 81 o. and the Van Swer-
ingens are now giving pledges that they
would not neglect the short or un-
profitable roads In their proposed ex-
tended territories. That point was one
of the stumbling blocks in the past"
The Springfield Republican directs at
tention to the fact that "the Van
Sweringens' application contemplates
joint ownership by the proposed trunk
systems Of railroads which serve as
bridges between trunk-line territory and
New England" and adds, "If the trunk
line accept this principle of common
ownership, or the alternative policy of
keeping under independent ownership
certain lines which serve as an open
door Of important traffic centers, the
prospect Of consolidation will be I'M
proved"
These applications" according to
the Newark Evening News. Gin
effect seek an even division Of the total
trackage involved In Eastern consolida-
ton. In that respect they hew closely
to the central purpose of the consolida-
ton policy of the Congress, for equality
Of systems with the aim of conserving
opportunity in a new rail.
road era" The Cleveland News cons
cludeS that "the country Is witnessing
the birth throes Of the new order aris-
Ing to meet new conditions"