TRANSPORT IN AMERICA AND BRITAIN
[To the Editor of Tan SPECTATOR.] Sm,—In the United States railway companies have been authorized to increase charges by 10 per cent. They have reduced wages by 10 per cent. A Government committee has reported in favour of strict limitation and regulation of road transport. It is realized in America that railways are absolutely essential, for no road transport system can handle more than a small proportion of heavy traffic, and it is clearly understood that railways must be profitable and attract capital if they arc to remain efficient and sufficient for a nation's trade. Do we realize the importance of railways ?
British railways suffer from unfair competition as well as general depression ; they have been compelled by Govern- ment to pay wages 100 per cent. higher than pre-War, plus some cost of living percentages, and to reduce working hours ; but they are not allowed to charge for their services more than about 50 per cent, higher than pre-War rates. The result is that our railways are making poor profits, paying little or no dividends, and the nation is running the risk of having its chief and vital means of transport fall below
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