Evening star., 1933-01-30
ADVANCE F0RESEEN'
IN TRANSPORTATION
Joint Committee States
. Sound Policies Will Result
/ From Intensive Study.
By the Associated Press.

Joint Committee of Railroads and High
way Users yesterday issued report
which the joint chairmen called "a
distinct step forward in the develop
ment of sound public transportation
policies
A statement by Gen. w. w. After
bury, president of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, and Alfred H. Swayne, vice
president of General Motors, and also
of the National Automobile Chamber
of Commerce, who served as chairmen,
said:
This report will be laid Immediately
before the National Transportation
Committee of which the late Calvin
Coolidge was chairman. This action is
taken in accordance with a request
made some time ago by Mr.. Coolidge
and his associates, that they be given
an opportunity to study the results OF
our investigation.
Among the important and difficult
questions upon which full agreement
has been reached are those relating to
taxation, reciprocity, coordination OF
crossing separations.
many aspects of regulation and some
phases of dimensional control OF We
hicular movements.
Rate regulation and the length and
weight of vehicles are the subjects upon
which it has not been possible to reach
complete agreement.
For Further Discussions.
"It is our hope and expectation that.
facts are developed, even the present
differences will disappear To this emo,
we are recommending to our sponsoring
bodies that our committees be con-
tinued for further discussions.
I'VE regard the achievements OF the
present report as distinct step forward
In the development of sound public
transportation policies, as 1t is always
wiser that economic problems should pe
solved by conference rather than by
legislation. y"
The report opens with this declara-
ton of policy:
THE public is entitled to the benefit
of the most economical and efficient
means of transportation by any instru-
mentalities of transportation which may
be suited to such purpose, and no legls-
lation should be enacted which has for
its purpose the sitting of any legitimate
form of transportation. The supreme
test must always be the interest OF the
public. The public's right to the selec-
ton of the agency of transportation
which it wants and which 1t finds most
useful must be respected"
Among the points on which the con-
ferees agreed were these:
Common carriers Of persons and
property in interstate commerce on
highways should be under the jurisdic-
ton of the Interstate Commerce Com
mission or other properly constituted
Federal tribunal and should be required
to obtain certificates of public conven-
ience and necessity"
Consideration should be given, before
such certificates are issued, to the ef-
feet the proposed service would have on
existing transportation services, and the
financial responsibility Of the applicant
should be considered.
Common carriers in intrastate COM
merce should be required to obtain
certificates of necessity and conven-
ience after the same considerations.
Requirement on Buses.
adequate requirements should be
imposed upon common carrier buSses in
interstate commerce (and also in intra-
state conlmerce) to insure Just and rea-
sonable rates, with provision for pub
lication thereof and adherence thereto,
and proper inhibition against undue
discrimination
Contract carriers in both interstate
and intrastate commerce should be re-
quired to obtain permits from the
proper authorities, and make adequate
provision as to financial RESPONSE
bility."
Contract busseS in both interstate and
4,,tr alz& IL /,
ito observe minimum rates fixed by
regulatory authority and comply with
rules and practices applying to rates
and services as may be prescribed by
such authority
Private carriers of property who en-
gage in transportation on highways of
commodities not of their own proauc-
ton, for hire, and private carriers of
persons operating on "Share-eXpenSe
or other irregular fare basis" both in
inter and intra state commerce, should
be required to secure a license from
the proper authorities.
Requirements as to qualifications
and hours of service for drivers, as
prescribed by the regulatory authority"
should be observed by all carriers
"All carriers should be required to
observe regulations as to safety devices
and measures, size, weight, speed and
operation of motor vehicles"
opportunity should be given for rail
carriers to engage, either directly or
through subsidiaries, IN motor vehicle
service on highways on equal terms
with all others. -
state laws requiring railroads to
make capital expenditures for grade
crossing elimination in excess of capi-
talized savings in operating expenses
therefrom should be repealed"
Share in Costs.
motor vehicles should pay the entire
cost of the State highway system. They
should also pay a part of the cost OF
county or township highways" and part
of the cost of ''arterial routes through
cities"
The apportionment of special taxes
among motor vehicles of various types
should be based upon use of facilities
required"
All motor vehicles should pay gaso-
line tax; passenger automobiles should
pay registration fee graduated ac-
cording to weight or horsepower; BUSES
and other vehicles carrying passengers
for hire, registration fee based on
mileage operated and graduated accord
ing to seating capacity: trucks a regis
tration fee graduated SO that it will
increase more than directly with
weight"
Special taxes levied upon motor vehi-
cleS using highways should be devoted
entirely to highly purposes"
States should enter into reciprocal
agreements for issuance of special Ii
censes for commercial vehicles to cover
States other than the home State at
equitable rates to be determined by the
conditions which prevail.
mo vehicle should exceed total
outside width. including any load there.
on. of feet" with the exception OF
certain existing vehicles"
mo vehicle, unladen or with load.
should exceed height of IL feet 6