1 NOVEMBER 1946, Page 17

FIRST-CLASS TRAVEL

Sm,—As a former third-class season ticket-holder between Newton Abbot and Plymouth during the later war years, I was interested in the letter from W. B. Manley. During those years I was compelled to stand for the 3o-mile journey on many occasions while first-class compartments remained empty and locked, many Service personnel, including women, also having to stand. I was surprised that this, to me, selfish and senseless action did not result in serious trouble from warriors returning from leave, ships, operational squadrons, &c. I heard many ugly comments. When it is remembered that first-class compartments seat six persons and third- class eight it seems to me that the obvious solution of the difficulty, especially where trains are regularly overcrowded, is to abolish the higher class. Surely in these enlightened days, following the late " War of Survival," class distinction on the railways should be as dead as the dodo. There are no " classes " on 'buses as far as I am aware. Why perpetuate the anachronism on the railway?—Yours faithfully,