Abstract

Evolution in Transportation

In 1912, the author was employed by a Wall Street concern to give an opinion on the merits of certain self-propelled cars. A St. Louis bank that had railroad interests required similar information. The result of the investigation clearly demonstrated the correctness of the theory advanced by Henry Villard, the then president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, that a system of self-operating units of this type would be necessary to solve the vexed rate question by giving superior service at a reduced cost. There were other self-propelled cars adapted for short freight-train service, but the cost of operation, repairs and up-keep was greater on account of their more intricate machinery. They were of the gasoline electric type. Industries allied to the railroads, an army of ticket sellers, of car repairers and of mechanics, would gradually be absorbed into other channels just as carriers and stage-coach drivers and hostlers and inn-keepers were absorbed when railroads put the turnpike people out of business.