Turmoil of Competition.

Railways the world over are devoting much serious consideration to the problem of road competition, and here in Europe the railways of almost every land are finding the problem one bristling with difficulties. In course of time it seems certain rail and highway will find their respective levels in the world of transport, but for the moment there is vast confusion, competition and duplication of services, in both the passenger and freight carrying sections. One of the most trying features of the road competition problem in Europe is the fact that in many countries passenger-carrying road vehicles are operated on an extensive scale by the postal authorities, in direct competition with the railways. In Germany and Austria, in particular, competition of this character is severely handicapping the railways, and the whole problem of subsidised road transport on these lines calls for the closest scrutiny.

In Austria the postal authorities to-day operate passenger services by road motor over 180 different routes, covering between 3,500 and 4,000 miles of road. This year the Austrian Post Office commenced the issue of a public time-table of passenger road services, giving details of all routes, distances and tariffs, and steps now are being taken by the railways of the land to stimulate public interest in their protest against this competition, which is largely subsidised by the Government, and therefore by the individual taxpayer, instead of being conducted on business lines.