Railroads, the Truck and Air Transport - By H.E. Byram

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora

Railroads, the Truck and Air Transport argues that railways hold a permanent, first-order economic position for the public, based on the growth of rail networks and the substantial wealth they generate. It weighs current competition from automobiles, buses, and trucks against the railroads’ established community role, fixed rates, and regulated taxation. The text contends that alternative transport agencies should face comparable regulation and taxation, using analogies to explain unfair competition and its impact on public interest.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Columbia University Libraries Preservation Division Bibliographic Microform Target

Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record

Technical Microform Data

Railroads, the Truck and Air Transport

Economic Position and Public Importance

Competition from Highways and Airways

Regulation, Taxation, and Unfair Competition

97-84111-11Byram,H.E. Railroads,the truck and airtransport [S..] # COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIESPRESERVATION DIVISIONBIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET ORIGINAL MATERIAL AS FILMED-EXISTING BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD Reproductions may not be made without permisslon from Columbla Unlverslty Lbraries. RESTRICTIONS ON USE: TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA REDUCTION RATIO: .9:/ FILM SIZE: 35mm IMAGE PLACEMENT:IA(IA DATE FILMED: 6-5-97INITIALS: B TRACKING\#: MsH 235 FILMED BY PRESERVATION RESOURCES,BETHLEHEM,PA. Railroads,the Truck and AirTransport 308 Z Bey 213 By H.E.Byram ReceiverChicago,Milwaukee and St.Paul Railway The Railroad Occupies aPermanent Economic Position ofFirst Importance to the Public HE last century has seen thegrowth of rail lines from a minusquantity to a tremendous system,spreading its network over thiscountry and to a lesser extentover foreign lands. The commercial value of the services ofthese rail lines is beyond all estimate andthe increase in wealth of this nation due totheir activities is incalculable. These facts are conceded by everyone,and it is also freely admitted that their ser-vices even during recent years,when un-precedented traffic demands were madeupon them,have been adequate,prompt,and satisfactory. Naturally,the question arises"What is tobe the effect on their future of the develop-ment of agencies using highways and air-ways,coupled with the possible greater useof waterways?” Some writers who have discussed thesubject have treated it rather lightly by as-suming that the railroad train is doomed toextinction much as the stage coach fadedout when the railroads appeared on thescene 100 years ago.Such an opinion doesnot indicate very much thoughtful consid-eration of the factors involved,and the gen-eral acceptance of the idea would work agreat hardship upon the rail lines and inturn upon the public. There is no comparison between the eco-nomic position occupied by the railroad andthat occupied by the horse or ox-drawnvehicle of previous generations,for thevery good reason that the old stage coachand covered wagon would be absolutely in-capable of handling more than a small frac-tion of the commerce of the nation today.If the railroad had not supplanted thesevehicles the development of the UnitedStates would still be confined to territoryimmediately contiguous to the coasts,lakesand navigable streams. In contrast the railroads,as has beenstated,are entirely capable of transportingthe vast commercial interchange of thecommonwealth and could handle to advan-tage a substantial increase in the volume oftheir business. Page Two As soon as the practicability of the steamlocomotive was assured steel rails were laid,not only along the trails blazed by the coachand freighter,but into outlying territoryand remote regions,thus affording oppor-tunity for settlement and cultivation of theentire country. This is the situation at the present time.Within the last ten years,however,the in-crease in the number of rubber-tired ve-hicles has assumed such proportions as tovery definitely affect the revenues of therailroads. The privately owned automobile has af-forded its owner much pleasure and no onewould wish to curtail his enjoyment of it. But many persons have bought bussesand trucks with the idea of engaging in thetransportation business for profit,and thisfeature of the development of the motorvehicle has not been given the careful con-sideration that it should have had in justiceto the public interest. Many billions of dollars have been in-vested by millions of citizens in railroad se-curities,and in public institutions that havelarge investments in railroad securities,such as insurance companies,banks,uni-versities,etc.,and these citizens are entitledto protection of their investments againstthe effect of

FAQs

What economic role do railroads occupy according to the text?

Railroads are described as having a permanent economic position of first importance to the public, with commercial value and national wealth effects deemed incalculable.

How does the text discuss competition from motor vehicles?

It states that the rise of rubber-tired vehicles has affected railroad revenues and argues that profits from trucks and busses have not been given careful consideration in the public interest.

What regulatory approach does the text propose for other transportation agencies?

It argues that when other transportation agencies enter the field, they should be subjected to the same regulation and taxation applied to railways.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora