Evening star., 1942-11-05
One eU.5;.Agency
Urged 10 Direct
All Transport
Planning Body Would
Prepare for Postwar
Coordination
BY GARRETT d. HORNER.

President Roosevelt today sent
Congress a report proposing Gre
alton Of a National Transporta-
ton Agency to coordinate de-
velopment of all transportation
facilities-railroad, air, highway
and Water-after the war.
The report, prepared by a National
Resources Planning Board advisory
committee, headed by Owen D.
Young, called for consolidation under
the agency of all existing Federal
agencies concerned with transporta-
ton in order to IDEAL energetically
and forthrightly" with the rebuild
ing and modernization problems
that will face the country when
peace comes.
The quasi-judicial functions con-
corning rate regulation of such
agencies as the Interstate Commerce
Commission would not be affected by
the proposed consolidation. active
cooperation with the regulatory
agencies would be required" the re-
port said. "but the National Trans
portation Agency would be response
BILE for the unification of the Fed
eral Governments planning, develop
ing and administrative functions in
the field of transportation"
Lowered Rates an Objective.
r. oIIol that Inv
should be general lowering of trans
port rates and fares, through econ
omies effected by coordination and
more economical distribution of traf-
f1c among the various transportation
facilities.
), Among specific projects suggested
to be carried out under direction OF
the agency We're:
1. Economic consolidation Of
operating railroads, with construc-
ton of modern, unified terminal
facilities" to serve the co-ordinated
transport system.
2. Wide extension Of Federal credit
for postwar modernization and i'm
provement of railway systems.
3. Overhauling of highway trans
portation, with functional" redesign
of automotive equipment and de-
velopment of a modern inter-
regional highway system and urban
express routes.
4. Federal aid in development of
off-street parking facilities In urban
areas.
S. Planning "in the most enlight-
ened manner" for establishment of
the airplane "as a major and inte-
grail part of our future transporta-
ton system"
Long Range Program.
In a message transmitting the re-
port to Congress, Mr.. Roosevelt
described transportation as "the key
factor" in development of American
resources, and said, I'VE know that
our transportation plant and poll
cies are playing a major role in
winning the war and that they will
play a similar role in winning the
peace"
He pointed out that Federal ex-
penditures in providing Transports
ton facilities of all types have
amounted to about 81 ,000, 900 9
year. Accordingly" he added, Il,
seemed wise to have look at oul
transportation plant and its trend.
and our developmental policies with
a view to the formulation Of wiser
long-run policies in the years
ahead"
It was for this reason, he ex.
planned, that the study resulting ir
the report presented today was I'm.
dertaken, with recommendation.
pointed primarily toward the ad.
justments which the transportation
industries and agencies of Govern.
ment will face in the postwar
period"
He said the report was submitted
particularly for consideration of thu
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