The Washington times., 1929-07-17
FOR BUS
REGULATION
URGED
nr lntsrna.IoaaI Nsv. serylss

The alarming increase IN the
number Of motor bus accidents
again has emphasized the need
for Federal regulation Of q
transportation system that is
growing by leaps and bounds.
Congressional leaders and mem
bers of the Interstate Commences
Commission indicated today that
the time has arrived when legisla.
ton should be enacted to regulate
bus transportation.
Apparently many Of the present
bus concerns operate over the pubic
roads with detective vehicles, ems
dangering not only the lives OF pas
sengers but other users OF the high
ways.
"Wildcatters" have also entered
the business and worked injury
to regular and responsible bus lines,
by cutting prices and because they
are financially irresponsible and use
reprehensible practices.
Prior to March O.. 1925, State
regulatory bodies generally had as.
sumed in the absence of Federal
legislation control over the opera.
tons of motor buses and motor
trucks engaged in interstate COM
merce, and interstate operators were
required to conform to the laws and
regulations of the States In or
through which they operated.
On that date the United States
Supreme Court handed down deci-
sions holding that State regulatory
bodies could not restrict the opera
ton of motor buses or motor
trucks engaged in interstate com
merce where such regulation was
not primarily for the safety or con.
servation of highways.
No regulation has been exercised
over interstate commerce by motor
buses or trucks not used in term
inal service in connection with rail
transportation since the decisions.
Since then interstate motor vehicle
operations started up all over the
country.
Practices Condemned
Considering the rapidly increasing
Importance Of motor transport, the
Interstate Commerce. Commission,
on July Is, 1926, started an in
vestigation, The scope of. which
included the legality and propriety
Of the arrangements under which
motor buses and trucks are
operated.
The rates, fares, services and the
extent railroads were affected by
the operation Of buses and trucks
were also studied.
A vast amount Of testimony was
taken and in a special report the
scommission said:
BUS service on regularly certi-
fled routes Is generally satisfactory
throughout the country. ANY seri-
Gus complaints against bus opera.
lions appears 70 be directed against
those conducted by noncertificated,
tInregnlated interstate commences
operators commencing operations
after the State regulatory bodies
were deprived by Supreme Court
decisions or such control as they
had exercised over Interstate motor
carriers.
"Theae uncertificated bus opera
tors, frequently referred to as
iwiIdcatters,' have worked consider
able injury to regular and respon'
sible bus lines, not only by cutting
rates below what Is claimed to be
an economic basis, but also because
the financial responsibility and rep.
rehensible practices Of some tend
to discredit reputable and respon-
sbile bus operations with the pub
Iic," the commission said.
Regulations Avoided
Thu commission pointed out that
there has grown up in some cities
the practice of brokerage in inter.
state transportation of passengers
for hire by motor carriers. A So
called auto-travel agency owning no
motor cars or buses, will sell inter-
state transportation between certain
points and then place the passen.
gers in a bus owned by the driver,
who Is answera BILE to no regulatory
body for the proper conduct OF his
business.
1t denounced this practice az not
'HbeinE conducive to giving the tray.
cling public safe, adequate and reg
ular service" and urged that 1t
should be prohibited.
lie AAA0AG q
of recommendations, chief If which
were:
Legislation for the regulation Of
motor bus lines operating as common
carriers over the public highways
should provide as prerequisites to
operation: a. Certificate of conven-
fence and necessity and (2) liability
insurance or indemnity bond or sat-
isfactory assurance of financial re-
sponsibility which will insure ade.
uuate protection for the responsible
ity assumed, and 81 broad discretion
airy power should be given to the
regulatory boards in the matter of
classification of motor vehicle opera
tions with respect to the administra-
ton OF the provisions Of the law.
A number of bills providing for the
regulation of interstate bus operation
have been introduced in Congress in
the last two or three sessions, but all
have failed of passage.
DRESSMAKlMG WINNER