As a whole, the railroads never were in such good physical and financial
condition, and the country has never been so well served by them. The
greatest volume of freight traffic ever tendered is being carried at a
speed never before attained and with satisfaction to the shippers.
Efficiencies and new methods have resulted in reduction in the cost of
providing freight transportation, and freight rates show a continuous
descending line from the level enforced by the World War.
We have, however, not yet assured for the future that adequate system of
transportation through consolidations which was the objective of the
Congress in the transportation act. The chief purpose of consolidation is
to secure well-balanced systems with more uniform and satisfactory rate
structure, a more stable financial structure, more equitable distribution
of traffic, greater efficiency, and single-line instead of multiple-line
hauls. In this way the country will have the assurance of better service
and ultimately at lower and more even rates than would otherwise be
attained. Legislation to simplify and expedite consolidation methods and
better to protect public interest should be enacted.
Consideration should also be given to relief of the members of the
Commission from the necessity of detailed attention to comparatively
inconsequential matters which, under the existing law, must receive their
direct and personal consideration. It is in the public interest that the
members of the Commission should not be so pressed by minor matters that
they have inadequate time for investigation and consideration of the larger
questions committed to them for solution. As to many of these minor
matters, the function of the Commission might well be made revisory, and
the primary responsibility delegated to subordinate officials after the
practice long in vogue in the executive departments.