Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-04-03
Bottle Of Rail Mosnotes
Opponents Disagree on Merits
OF Trons-U.S. Through Train
By the Associated Press

cicted Press
ically controlled brakes, COMPETE
tive bidding in all departments.
ETC.. ad infinitum, can combine
to bring such happy result.
Editors note: Train x" is
the low-slung, lightweight pas
senger train Of revolutionary de-
sign on which the Chesapeake &
Ohio began research six years
ago. It is still in the expert
mental stage. The Central has
been cooperating with the c. &
o. recently on this research.
seeking q cheaper, faster. more
attractive train as an answer to
chronic passenger deficits).
Mr.. White-We consider long
range earnings prospects of
American railroads to be good.
American railroads definitely
have growth possibilities. Vigor-
Gus steps in that direction are in
progress. Furth lrmore, Congress
will remove tAe yoke Of out
NODDED regulation from the backs |
Of American railroads and en-
able them to compete on more |
equal terms with other forms of |
transportation. Also, competing |
forms Of transportation will be |
required to pay adequate user
charges for facilities that are
provided by the use Of public
monies.
@. How long has it been since
passenger traffic on the Rail-
roads has been conducted at a
loss?
Mr.. Young-The industry as a
whole has been in the red since
1947 and the 1852 loss was $64O
million. 1t is only fair to point
out, however, that some trains
even now operate in the black.
Mr.. White-Passenger traffic
has been conducted at loss
since around 1880. except for a
few years in World War II When
volume was exceedingly high due
to gasoline rationing. Govern
ment appropriation of aircraft,
and movement of troops.
@. Why?
Mr.. Young-It seems that the
easily discouraged industry has
just quit trying. Train x could
completely eliminate this deficit.
1t costs only a third as much
to build and half as much to
operate as present trains, and is
safer and better; yet Mr.. White,
whose own operating officers
have recommended it to him, is
still Sailing.
Mr.. White
l. High labor cost.
2. High cost of passenger
carrying cars.
3. High maintenance cost Of
such cars due to air conditioning
and room units of sleeping space.
4. High cost of passenger ter
minal operations.
S. High taxes assessed against
passenger terminals.
6. The growth of airline traf-
flc with Government aid subsidy.
z. The increasing number of
airplanes operated by private
companies 10000 of them.
8. Inadequate compensation
for transporting United States
mail and parcel post.
8. insufficient managerial lati-
tude in disseminating passenger
trains operated at a loss and the
reluctance of State commissions
to permit such trains to be dis
continued.
10. The great growth in own
ership of private automobiles
and better highways.
II. The common carrier status
of railroads, which requires them
to maintain a standby service
when other forms of tranSporta-
ticA cannot operate because of
weather conditions.
@. What do you think should
be done to attract more revenue
to the Central and to American
railroads?
Mr.. Young-Improved service
and equipment can divert to the
railroads some of the burgeon-
ing highway traffic. The rail-
roads enjoy exclusive and low
cost rights-of-way, smooth-as-
glass, on which they can move
passengers and freight in mile
long units at minimum labor
costs. They should make better
use of them.
Mr.. White
/. Establish competitive prices.
2. Require competing forms of
transportation to pay adequate
user charges for the use of high
ways, airportS, Always and
waterways provided and main
tanned with public monies.
8. Provide mathematician
service if it can be done at a
profit.
4. Provide a comfortable and
relaxing service for, passengers
and dependable, speedier serv-
ice for freight.
@. What is your last word in
regard to this present struggle
for control Of the Central?
Mr.. Whom the gods
would destroy they first make
mad" BY ganging up on behalf
of Central's present board in this
fight will the insurance company
banking railroad monopoly group
bring down new legislation on