Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-02
REGULATION OF BUS
LINES HELD NEARER
Character of Recent Hear
ings by |. C. C. Gives Hint
of U. S. Action.

Regulation Of bus and truck trans
portation is undoubtedly growing nearer.
This has been brought to light by the
reaction to the hearings which have re-
Gently been held by the Interstate Com
merce Commission. With that fact IN
mind it is indicated that some Of the
motor transport companies are rather
hoping to be struck by the loccmo-
tive" although fatalities at highway
crossings have been lower in the last
year than ever before. What Is meant
by that Is that the bus and truck con-
Germs hope to be absorbed by the steam
carriers on advantageous terms. Then
II they are put under Federal regula-
ton 1t Is the railroad companies which
viii be supervised.
Railroads Position
The railroads have made 1t plain they
do not complain at legitimate competi-
ton from automotive carriers or other
forms Of legitimate competition, but
that they do assert that their COMPETE
tors should be regulated as to rates and
service as they themselves are governed.
The independent bus lines and truck
lines object vigorously at Federal regu-
lation Of interstate highway transport
tation. They assert the motorists pay
as much or more Of the taxes spent on
roads as do the railroads.
The shippers Of the country are
vitality interested, for they realize that
rs per cent of the total expenditure of
the Nation is paid out for transporta-
ton. This Is the estimate of the De-
partment Of Commerce. They know
that they must have the full service and
efficiency Of the railroads, which are
the main freight and passenger traffic
movers. They also wish TO have the
advantage Of using the bus and truck
lines where the latter can give cheap
and eflcient service. Distribution wastes
run into the billions every year, and If
transportation systems and shipping
policies can be improved it means a
saving and profit to every citizen.
Most shippers seem to agree that the
railroads must be protected from unfair
competition for the benefit of the ship
pers as well as Of the steam carriers.
Consequently some of them advise the
expansion Of the. bus and truck lines
now operated by the railroads.
The main hold of the trucks Is in
less than carload lot freight hauled
over short distances. Some of that
business could not ever be profitable
for the railroads unless 1t was taken
in conjunction with long-haul ship
ments, but If the railroads ran the
truck lines service could be given
cheaper and a profit still obtained.
Bus Census.
AS to passenger transportation, the
railroads have lost much business to
motors, but the greater part has been
through operation Of private automo-
biles. There are but $4,000 buses of
all sorts now in operation. It is held
doubtful by some railroad. men that
either the buses or rail lines can re-
capture the passenger traffic lost to
private automobiles.
There are now 70 railroads now
operating buses, but their fleets rep
resent only a small part of the total
bus and truck trafic. The buses and
trucks operated independently have not
been having any too prosperous
period in the last year. Expenses have
been heavy, taxes high and financing
Of operation difficult. Some 1nde-
pendents certainly would not object to
passing into the hands of the railroads
provided the price we're deemed ade-
quate, but it is far from certain if the
railroads wish to buy. In the mean
while shippers want service and relia-
bility and they are likely to get it
either through regulation, combination
or some other means.
Trade Rivalry Seen.
The passing Of Lent with the end
Of this week will mark the renewal Of
bitter rivalry between the packers and
the chain stores which handle meat
products Charges and counter-charges
are already flying broadcast between
the two. The chain stores declare the
price Of meat has not fallen in the
same ratio with the drop in cattle and
animal quotations, and that they have
the utmost difficulty in inducing the
public to buy.
The packers, on the other hand, pro-
duce figures to show that the margin
of profit on meats is almost inflnitesi-
NAL and that the main net income OF
the companies comes from by products.
The Department of Agriculture is advis-
ing the production of fewer animals so
that prices shall be higher and to add to
the general mix-up, the Department OF
Justice has announced that 1t will re-