Evening star., 1946-09-15
Member Of Cabinet
For transportation
Is Urged by Senator'S
By ]. A. O'leary

/ NlcdIlOi Vi department OF
Transportation, with a Cabinet Of
ficer at its head, was suggested last
night by Senate Small Business
Subcommittee as the ultimate step
in 10-point program designed to
improve the Nations carrier IA
cilities.
/ For more immediate considera-
ton, the subcommittee urged that
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion reorganize its own procedures
in the interest of greater eff1cien-
/ cy,' that rate schedules be over
hauled to make them more equit-
able on Nationwide basis, and
that Government restrictions OH
carriers, which increase the cost of
service, be removed.
Authority Is Proposed.
\ Other recommendations were:
l. Establishment of Federal
Transportation Authority of not
more than three members to make
continuous studies, sided by Ma
tional Transportation Advisory
Council. AS part of this step, it is
proposed that transportation coun-
sci be appointed in the Department
of Justice to represent the general
public's interest in proceedings be-
fore regulatory agencies and the
courts.
2. The prompt launching Of gen.
eral investigations and revisions of
the national freight rate structure,
and revision of taxes on public car
riers.
3. Designation of an interstate
system of highways over which COM
merce could move unhampered by
conflicting and discriminatory State
restrictions.
I 4. Amendment of the Interstate
Commerce Act to abolish uneco-
nomic restrictions on motor and
water transportation.
/ 5. Prohibition of agreements In
restraint of competition between
carriers, except those publicly en-
tered into for purposes necessary
/ to comply with the interstate COM
merce laws" and national policy.
Economies Held Possible.
The subcommittee headed by SEN
ator Stewart, Democrat, of Tennes-
see also held that great economies
are possible" through modernization
and coordination of facilities. but
said large-scale consultations OF
carriers should not be undertaken
until provision is made for adequate
protection of the public interest
Serving with Chairman Stewart
on the subcommittee are Senators
Murray, Democrat, of Montana, and
Wherry, Republican, of Nebraska.
Senator Murray, who is chairman
Of the fall Small Business Commit
tee, commented on the report:
Small business the country over.
and particularly in the Southern
and Western States. has been
throttled or handicapped by rate
determinations favoring their large
business competitors. The indus
trial and business expansion of
these parts of the United States
/ depends in no small measure upon
! carrying out the recommendation
of this study"
Offers I.C.C. Suggestions.
The subcommittee said that the
IC.C. should modify its present
slow and formalized procedures
modelled upon those of the courts,
should have an appellate division
as authorized in the 1910 Transpor-
tation Act. and should consider
setting up regional offices.
In its final recommendation that
consideration be given to a Depart
ment of Transportation with Cabi-
net status, the subcommittee sug-
gested that such department could
take in the proposed Federal Trans
portation Authority, the Public
Roads Administration, the Inland
Waterways Corporation, the Alaska
Railroad. the Alaska Road Adminis-
tration and numerous transporta-
ton functions now scattered through
the Departments of Interior, Com
merce, Agriculture, Treasury, Labor,
War. Navy, Post Office and the Bu-
reau of the Budget"
AS alternatives, the report said
the new department might embrace
transportation and communication
or transportation, communication
and power.
The report was prepared by c. E.
Childe, consultant to the subcom-
mittee, and included detailed anal
ysis OF the existing carrier rate
structures which, the subcommittee
contends. need overhauling.