29 OCTOBER 1927, Page 2

As the London Traffic Advisory Committee has quickly become much

more than an advisory body and is really looked up to as the chief traffic authority, it might be as well that it should itself be vested, with considerable if not complete statutory authority for the future. Of course consent from the various undertakings is necessary if the principle of private enterprise is to be preserved, but there is no reason to think that consent will be withheld. However much we may desire—as we our- selves do in- principle—that the public should enjoy the cheap transport services that are ensured by a lively competition, it is obvious that competition must be conditioned by the carrying capacity of the streets and of the available subterranean areas for engineering purposes. Too much competition defeats itself by producing complete congestion. Somebody must be umpire—must decide upon the most serviceable com- bination of competition and restriction for the good of the public. * * * *