Evening star., 1932-07-21
Railroads Ask Fair Deal.

The railroads of the country, acting
through the Association of Railway
Executives, have issued a statement
asking the aid of the American people
in the efforts they are making to
meet their present serious" condition.
The railroads pledged themselves to
economy and the elimination of all
waste. At the same time they asked
for legislation that will at least put
them on all fourS in the matter of
regulation with the competing trans
portation agencies. Their demand for
a fair deal in this respect seems emf
nently reasonable.
The Congress at its late session
passed up entirely railroad and trans
portation legislation. Bills for bus and
motor truck regulation were side
tracked. Bills for consolidation and
other measures designed to help the
railroads were not given attention, nor
were measures for more adequate regu-
lation of water transportation.
The railroads principal competitors
today are the motor trucks ana buSseS
and the water transports. TranSporta-
ton by air is growing in volume
such proportions as to be a serious
menace to the railroads. Nevertheless
It eats into their business. Private
" owned automobiles have taken
A vast amount of passenger bust
ness from them. But that IS a
matter utterly beyond the control OF
the railroads. If the people desire to
transport themselves by vehicles OF
their own. they have that right just as
they have right to go from place to
place on foot If they prefer that method
OF travel
The backbone OF the transportation
system in this country has been and
continues to be the railroads In the
interest Of the public and OF fair and
ADEQUATE service many restrictions
have been thrown about the operation
and financing Of the rail lines. The
Interstate Commerce Commission fixes
interstate rates. The railroad and
public service commissions of the States
have control over intra-State railroad
Business.
Up to date. the Federal Government
has done practically nothing about the
regulation of the motor carriers. Yet
since 1921 the Federal and State gov
ernments, the railroads point out. have
expended more than $4,000, 100000 on
highway mprovement-the rights CT
way Of these motor carriers. Today
there are operated on these highways
more than 100000 private automo-
biles. 3 800 900 freight trucks and $4,000
passenger carrying busses.
The railroads have had to meet this
competition at the same time they have
been faced with the severe decrease in
business due to the depression They
have had to curtail expenditures greatly
in order to live. They must continue 70
Curtail and to eliminate practices OF
Yate-cutting and OF expensive methods
of competing with each other The rate
increases allowed on considerable
number Of commodities months ago by
the Interstate Commerce Commission, 1t
+ disclosed have practically been nulli-
fled through cuts made by the roads
themselves to meet competition.
The statement of the railroads of
their case to the American people de-
serves careful consideration. They are
not as they say, seeking special favors.
They are demanding fair treatment in
very difficult situation.
Pennsylvania is placed on record by
Gov. Pinchot as an applicant for As
millions of Reconstruction Finance
money. AS an energetic and perspica-
cious statesman the Governor knows
exactly where the line forms and when
the Office is open for business.