The “Square Deal” Campaign.

The campaign of the Home railways for a “square deal” continues, and there is every reason to believe their claims will be met to a considerable extent. One feature of present-day practice which will probably shortly disappear is the very strict classification of goods for charging purposes, and the simplification of that awe-inspiring volume of 400 pages, the “general railway classification.” Every conceivable article is listed in this book, the commodities being embraced in no fewer than sixty-six classes. Actually, each article appears dozens of times in different classes, according to whether it is forwarded in large or small quantities, whether it is packed or unpacked, and so on. The classification has taken about a century to compile, and the whole thing is far too cumbersome and restrictive for present-day needs. Like so many other appurtenances of modern railway operation, this bible of the rate clerk soon will be relegated to the museum.

In view of the efforts of the Home lines to throw off the shackles of antiquated legislation, it is worth noting that in the United States of America—where the railways have also been passing through an exceptionally hard time—very similar problems are at

Road-rail co-ordination in Britain. Handling edible oil on the L.M. & S. Railway.

present being tackled. There, it is proposed to establish a transportation board, charged with the responsibility of regulating all forms of transport; and to repeal the so-called “short-haul clause,” which restricts the carriers from charging less for a long haul than for a short haul over the same route. The recommendation is that all forms of transport be put on an equal footing in respect of the regulation of taxation and subsidies, and that the Interstate Commerce Commission be relieved from all responsibility of prescribing a general plan of railway grouping.