Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-15
COUZENS BUS BILL
RAIL AID DOUBTED
New Senate Measure Broad
ened to Include Operation
of Truck Lines.
by GEORGE E. DoYING.

Although most of the agitation for
Federal regulation Of interstate motor
truck operation has been for the pur-
nose of affording a degree of protec-
ton to the railroads, observers mere
were unable today to see much II any
real benefit to the rail carriers IN the
provisions of bill introduced by Sena-
tor Couzons, Republican, of Michigan,
chairman Of the Senate committee OH
Interstate Commerce.
The bill is patterned in large measure
after the so-called Parker DILL, winch
passed the House in the last Congress-
but failed to pass the Senate. me Par
ker bill. however, was confined TO the
regulation of interstate BUSES, While
the new CouZens bill is broadened 10
include truck operations to limited
extent.
Although the bus operators would be
obliged to show that public convenience
and necessity require any new service
proposed, the freight carriers would re-
ceive permits from the Interstate
Commerce Commission IF it appears
that the applicant is fit and able prop
erly to perform the service proposed.
Two Kinds of Carriers.
Two classes of motor carriers are de.
fined in the bill-common carriers OF
persons or property operating over nNeo
routes or between fixed terminal ana
fhe charter carrier by motor vehicle,
which includes all other carriers Tor
compensation excepting school and no
tel busseS taXicabS and Government
vehicles in the national parks.
In granting permits to common car
sierS of property and to charter car
riers the commission would be directed
by the bill to specify reasonable limlta-
tions in respect to service While operat-
tng over any regular route OF common
carrier by motor vehicle" but there Is
nothing in the bill that directs the
commission to give consideration to any
limitations while operating over the
route Of railroad carrier.
The bill would give to the Federal
commission Jurisdiction over the rates
of interstate buses, but not over those
of interstate trucks Both classes OF
vehicles. however. would be required
to file surety bonds or insurance poll
cies for the protection Of the public.
Joint boards composed of representa-
tives of the States affected would be
empowered to hear applications, COM
plants. etc. and proposed consoloa-
tions or mergers when involving not
more than three States.
Would Give /. C. C. Power.
The railroads would be permitted to
organize or operate motor carriers
where no consolidation or merger Is
involved. but the interstate commerce
act would be amended to provide that
approval of the commission must be
secured for any consolidation or merger
of a railroad and motor carrier. The
motor carrier act itself would prohibit
a consolidation or merger If one or
more of the carriers is directly or in
directly engaged in passenger trans
portation by railroad.
Representative HuddleSton, Democrat,
of Alabama, has introduced IN the
House a bill to confer upon the Inter
state Commerce Commission jurisdlc-
tion over all common carrier motor
vehicles engaged in interstate commerce
and would permit the commission to
hold Joint hearings with State author
tiles. Contract or charter carriers are
not included in this measure.
Representative Boland, Democrat, OF
Pennsylvania, has introduced a Dill
that would impose an excise tax upon
ali buses and trucks engaged in inter
state commerce. The tax would be
cents a mile on buses accommodating
not more than 10 passengers and trucks
having a capacity of one and one-haH
tons or less and cents mile on the
larger buses and trucks.
Copyright, 1922