The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-08

been prepared following a
two-year survey by his organ
ization's section of transpOr-
tation service, and that the
data with which it dealt had never
hitherto been assembled with any
thing like the same degree Of COM
pleteness
The report covered all forms of
transport. including rails, water
carriers. and pipe lines. Methods OF
handling freight and cars in ter
minals came in for special censure
from the co-ordinator.
Yard Costs Played
Economy in rail yard service has
been sacrificed to attain economy IN
road movement by heavy train load
ing" Mr.. Eastman said, with the
result that yard costs are greater
than road costs. The terminal costs
Of rail and water carlot carriers lar
exceeds that of other carriers and
is about twice the cost of highway
service"
Another recommendation was that
MANY short lines. with their way
trains. be replaced by motor trucks.
This type of operation, he SAID,
which partakes largely Of collection
and delivery. handled about IA per
cent of the revenue movement, but
was responsible for % per cent OF
the total cost
The report praised development
work already done on railway cars
with multiple sets of containers,
which would be interchangeable be-
tween railway, waterway and high
way vehicles.
Mr.. Eastman suggested that II
such a unit we're brought into gen.
eral use 1T would improve transpor-
tation service. reduce its cost and
discourage uneconomic Distribution
of traffic"
In connection with equipment, the
report said rail transportation could
be improved and its cost reduced,
particularly in distributive opera
lions. by substituting small-pow-
cred. light trains of few cars for
conventional trains of cargo type.
Urges Rate Changes
THE present system of freight
transport charges should be re-
orpanized to meet conditions, which
bave resulted from the ability of
the shipper to provide his own
TRANSFORMATION" the report said
with reference to rates.
The price scale should vary with
the size of the shipment. from a ton
TO a train load. permitting snip
ments in any amount. but creating
an incentive for full instead OF
minimum loading
The report added that tariff COM
plexitv could be greatly reduced II
rate systems and publishing author
tiles we're unified and commodity
classifcations and carriers route
groups we're simplified into a limited
number of definite channels.
Competition between different
forms of transportation insofar as
il stimulates service. efficiency and
economy should be promoted" the
report said. but the evils of unre-
strained agency. price, market and
plant competition need to be
avoided.
~Integration of commerce, terri
tory and industry makes necessary
a parallel indignation in Joint Car
rier agencies of the common func-
tions of pricing. through scheduling,
redundant service, routing, market
ing and research.
Each form of transport IS SUI
perior to each other form in some
important respects. and inferior IN
others. All should be integrated by
Joint rates. interchangeable equip
ment and common facilities. under
a program designed TO use each form
in the field Of its greatest utility.
Thus. wherever necessary for
serviceable, efficient or economical
operations. all carrier equipment,
terminals and facilities should be
used Jointly and INTERCHANGEABLE by
carriers of all types. under appro-
pirate and fair arrangements Tor
use"