The times-news., 1938-12-31
WHEELER FOR
PO.STALIZED
RAIL TARIFFS
Asks I.C.C. to Study Plan
for Extricating Roads
From Chaos
By HARRY WILSON SHARPE
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Dec. 81. (UP).
Senator Burton X. Wheeler, d.,
Mont, chairman of the powerful
senate interstate commerce COM
mittee has endorsed the Hastings
plan for "postalized" railroad
fares and asked the interstate
commerce commission for an opin-
ion whether it would be feasible.
The plan, conceived five years
ago by former New. York State
Senator John A. Hastings but. not
widely publicized until recently,
would establish a system of rail
road fares comparable to parcel
post rates. For instance the
basic fare from New York to San
Francisco would eJS5.
Much Significance is. attached
to. Wheeler's move inasmuch as
his committee is seeking a form
ula to end financial chaos in the
S26, ,000,O00,000 industry, He con-
ferred recently with President
Roosevelt on rehabilitation 'legls-
lation which may be- the subject
of a special White House. mes
sage. "
Wheeler wrote Chairman Wal
ter NJ. w. Splawn of the l.C:C.
that study of cost and, revenue
statements indicated that the rail-
roads could, be operated profit
ably with postalized rates and, he
asked Splawn for his opinion.
"For the past five .ears," he
said, 81 have given some thought
and attention to the plan and on
its face it looks good to me. The
railroads constitute mass-pro-
duction industry. In order for a
mass-production industry to be
successful it must have mass con-
sumption. Masws consumption IN
railroads means mass use. of. the
seats in chair cars and berths in
sleeping cars.
"The only excuse for mass pro-
duction is that b ysuch means an
industry can produce better and
cheaper goods. What applies to
the automobile industry applies to
the railroads. They must have
more business, and the way to get
more business is to give the low
est possible rate consistent with
sound busines sprinciples. 1t costs
as much to pull a coach half full
as it does full. There is very lit
tie more cost of maintaining road
beds used by 10 trains than by
one.
1.-The people of this country
have demonstrated that they want
to travel and see the country.
More travel means more men
working on the railroads, means
more equipment, more men en-
ployed in. heavy industry"
Wheeler said that Hastings had
approached him with the plan
which is being outlined for the
public in, a series Of newspaper
advertisements. He indicated. it
would be projected before con-
gress if the l'c.c, gives its ap-
proval.
Some mystery was attached to
the motivating force behind the
program. Hastings, who departed
for New Pork by plane co-inci-
dent with release of the Wheeler
letter, claims to be the sole spon-
sor and backer. He maintains Of
fices in the transportation build
ing here and has issued elaborate
pamphlets delineating the idea.
In recent advertisement in
the New York Times he described
the plan in detail and listed pro-
posed rates. He would divide the
country into nine districts with a
fixed rate for travel from one to
the other, regardless of the dis
tance incolved.
Coach fares would be $l.00,
parlor car fares $500, local
sleeper fare $500, express re-
served fare $1,000 and limited
Deluxe fare $500.
f 1t is not known whether Presi-
dent Roosevelt has considered the
plan, although Wheeler is expect
ed to discuss it with him at, their
next Conference. The chief execu-
tive is deeply concerned over the
rail situation and has lent willing
ears to those with possible pam
aceas for economic readjustment.