Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-05
B. 3 0. HEAD HITS
BUS COMPETITION
Willard Also Tells Trade
Board U. S. Aid to Ship
ping Is "Unfair."

Pleas for protection against what was
termed unfair" competition offered by
motor truck and bus transportation and
inland waterways shipping and hopes
that consolidation of the railroads of
the country into limited grouping Of
lines were sounded by Daniel Willard,
president of the Baltimore a. Ohio
Railroad, last night in an address before
che washington Board OF Trade
Speaking before an aSsemblage Of
more than 1000 local business men and
special guests that filled the. main
ball room OF the Willard Hotel to ca
pacity, the head of the railroad system
denounced as unfair" the competition
Of the motor truck and bus lines be-
cause they have use OF public highways
without right-of-way charge, and the
competition of the river transportation
operated under what he said amounted
70 Government subsidy.
Discussing legislation adopted by
Congress In anticipation of consolida-
ton of the railroads of the country
Mr.. Willard declared that he hoped and
believed that this objective would be ef-
fected so that the rail transportation
system of the country might be welded
into q more efficient and economical
service.
Vote-for- District Plea.
George Adams, representing the Jun
Sor Citizens Alliance, earlier in the eve
ming presented vigorous protest on
behalf of the residents of the National
Capital against their continued denial
Of the fundamental rights of American
citizens TO participate in their Gov
eminent
The Board of Trade campaign for the
erection of a mammoth coliseum as a
memorial for Theodore Roosevelt in the
AT-k II - <N. Il
0 place for staging great public events
here, was revived by the trade body in
indorsing report by special COM
ynittee headed by Claude Owen.
At a cost of about 81 500, 900, great
stadium suitable to the needs of public
events here during the George Wash
ington bicentennial celebration In 1882
could be erected in time for that ex-
tended program. Other features Of the
plan could be completed at q later
date, he pointed out.
Approximately 100 acres would. be
needed for the entire plan contemplated
by the architect, and the most of the
needed land now is owned by the Gov
eminent and likely could be made
available, in the site at the end of
East Capitol street, the committee
chairman said.
While members of the Roosevelt
Memorial Commission have decided
that they would prefer memorial of
an artistic rather than unitarian
nature, an effort viii be made, on the
basis of the architectural design Sc
lected. to obtain approval OF the
coliseum idea, Mr.. owen said.
James L. Fieser, vice chairman Of the
American Red Cross, told members OF
the trade body of the cooperation of
that relief organization and the rail-
roads in extending aid to victims of
disasters In the United States. He re-
minded the gathering also OF the forth
coming annual roll call of the Red
Cross and bespoke public support.
Competition Described.
Mr.. Willard led up to his criticism
Of unfair" competition against which
he said the railroads OF the country
now are placed by describing briefly
something OF the development Of the
railroad systems from the civil War days.
when It took IL days to transport co. 900
soldiers and their equipment from Fred
ericksburg, Va, to Louisville, KY, dis
lance of ! 100 miles.
Bus and water transportation, he
frankly stated, have made inroads into
the business Of the railroads, and to
this he attributed much of the lessened
increase in the railroad business.
Whereas 20 or IS years ago about 80
per cent Of all freight traffic was ham
died by the railroads, he said. last year
the figure had dropped to about rs per
cent.
This difference, suppose, may be
assumed to reflect, among other things,
the increasing use OF the pipe lines,
rivers and canals and the motor truck
on hard-surfaced highways" he said.
While declaring that he was, Of
course, In favor of development Of mod
ern systems Of highways and Of i'm
provement Of inland waterways, as such,
Mr.. Willard protested against their use
by commercial organizations engaged in
transportation under system that gave
them unfair" advantage over Compel
ing railroads.
Mr.. Willard also brought out that
while he favored the Government policy
during the past is or 20 years regard
ing highway development, he Is opposed
to the unregulated use Of such Govern
ment built facilities, without charge, by
individuals OF corporations engaged in
carrying freight and passengers for hire
as common carriers. in competition with
Government regulated railroads, because
he thinks It unfair to the railroads.
Mr.. Willard pointed out that the rail-
roads in the United States have cost
e26 ,000 900 600, approximately one-half
Of this amount being spent for building
tracks and structures on which trains
run: In addition. that II cents OF every
dollar earned by the railroads were
spent to maintain these tracks and
structures.
District Commissioners Reichelderfer
and Crosby, officials Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission and a group of
local commercial, civic and banking
leaders were seated with more than a
score Of officials Of the Baltimore a.
Ohio on the speakers platform.
An entertainment program was pre-
eented by the Baltimore 81 Ohio Glee
Club. composed of employees Of the rail-
road. George Pitt. president Of the
Board Of Trade, presided, and Robert J.
Cottrell. executive secretary Of the or
gantzation. read election returns as re-
ceived in Washington bv the Associated
Press and other newsgathering agencies.