INDEX OF ORGANIZATIONS Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. Amalgamated Transit Union. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. Carnegie Institute of Technology. Citizens Transit Improvement Association. City and county of San Francisco public utilities. Commerce & Industry Association of New York, Inc., Commuter Trans- HIGH-SPEED GROUND TRANSPORTATION MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1965 U.S. SENATE, COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., in room 5110, New Senate Office Building, the Honorable Thruston B. Morton presiding. Senator MORTON. The subcommittee will be in order. Mr. Secretary, I would like to apologize to you for a somewhat meager attendance at this hearing. Two members of the committee, other members of the committee have said that they can be here a little bit later. We are hitting the dog days here in the Congress, I guess. I will be glad to see other members here. It may speed up adjournment. As one of the former minor bureaucrats, I always welcomed the time when Congress went home, and I guess that feeling still prevails downtown; if so, I can understand. The hearing today is on S. 1588, a bill to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation. The five sections of this bill contain the following provisions. Section 1 authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development, and demonstrations, in high-speed ground transportation for the purpose of improving the national transportation system. In the exercise of this authority, the Secretary is granted power to lease, purchase, develop, test, and demonstsrate new facilities, equipment techniques, and methods. Section 2 of S. 1588 authorizes the Secretary to collect transportation data, statistics, and other information which he determine will contribute to the improvement of the national transportation system. Section 3 authorizes the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of this legislation to enter into agreements and contracts without regard to sections 3648 and 3709 of the Revised Statutes; to appoint subject to civil service requirements necessary personnel; and to procure services at rates for individuals not to exceed $100 per diem, unless otherwise specified in an appropriation act. Section 4 directs the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of the legislation to consult and cooperate with the Administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency, and such other agencies as the Secretary deems appropriate. Section 5 authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the legislation, and provides that such appropriations when so specified in appropriation acts shall remain available until expended. NOTE. Staff counsel assigned to this hearing: Stanton P. Sender. 1 In submitting this proposed legislation to Congress, the President stated that its enactment would help us to bring scientific and technical talent to bear on an increasingly important area of transportation not previously subject to intensive, continuing inquiry. I will insert in the record at this point a copy of S. 1588, the President's letter of March 4, 1965, and statement of purpose and need for legislation, and agency comments received by the committee. (The above-mentioned material follows:) [S. 1588, 89th Cong., 1st sess.] A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation for the purpose of improving the national transportation system. In exercising this authority, the Secretary may lease, purchase, develop, test, and demonstrate new facilities, equipment, techniques and methods, and conduct such other activities as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act. SEC. 2. The Secretary is authorized to collect transportation data, statistics, and other information which he determines will contribute to the improvement of the national transportation system. SEC. 3. In carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements and to contract with public or private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals, without regard to sections 3648 and 3709 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 529; 41 U.S.C. 5). The Secretary is further authorized to appoint, subject to the civil service laws and regulations, such personnel as may be necessary to enable him to carry out his functions and responsibilities under this Act. The Secretary is further authorized to procure services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S.C. 55a), but at rates for individuals not to exceed $100 per diem, unless otherwise specified in an appropriation act. SEC 4. In carrying our the purposes of this Act, the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with the Administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency and such other departments and agencies as he deems appropriate. SEC 5. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Such appropriations when so specified in appropriation acts shall remain available until expended. COMMUNICATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TRANSMITTING A DRAFT OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION ENTITLED "A BILL TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH-SPEED GROUND TRANSPORTATION, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, March 4, 1965. Hon. JOHN W. MCCORMACK, DEAR MR. SPEAKER: I am pleased to transmit to Congress proposed legislation for high-speed ground transportation research and development. This legislation will help us to bring scientific and technical talent to bear on an increasingly important area of transportation not previously subject to intensive, continuing inquiry. The life of every citizen is influenced by transportation service. This vast economic activity not only absorbs one out of every five GNP dollars; it shapes the environment in which we live and work. Advances in our transportation system must constantly be made if we are to continue to enjoy growth and prosperityand if America is to be a livable nation. The last three decades have produced great technological achievements in air and highway transportation. Commercial planes today fly three times as fast as they did in the 1930's. Automobiles speed along modern highways at greatly reduced traveltime. The progress of our rail transportation system, unfortunately, has not matched these strides. I believe the power of science and technology, demonstrated so well in the evolution of air and highway travel, can be utilized in the solution of other transportation problems, especially rail transportation. Striking advances in intercity ground transportation-advances in speed, reliability, comfort and convenience are needed and possible. In the last 50 years, intercity freight tonnage has risen 4 times, and passenger travel has increased 25-fold. In 1960, Americans traveled over 600 billion passenger-miles, exclusive of local movement. That figure will more than double by 1980. We face an imminent need for improved intercity transportation in the densely populated area long the east coast-between Washington and Boston-where travel is expected to increase by 150 to 200 percent between 1960 and 1980. Freight shipments during the same period may nearly double. Other such "corridors" can be identified throughout the Nation. Advances in the transportation of goods and people safely, reliably, and economically in one densely populated area will be directly applicable to other regions. We It is clear that we should explore the feasibility of an improved ground transportation system for such heavily traveled corridors. The program outlined by the Secretary of Commerce calls for research on materials, aerodynamics, vehicle power and control, and guideways. Information requirements for regional studies and evaluations are to be defined and the necessary data collected. must learn about travel needs and preferences, in part through the use of largescale demonstration projects. New methods of analyzing the problem will be developed to give adequate consideration to the large number of regional and local characteristics which influence the performance, acceptability, and cost of all kinds of systems. The task is large and complex. Evolutionary improvement in the existing railroad system must be compared to much more radical and longer term developments. Systems proposed must be compatible with urban transportation plans. The research and development activity will require the services of many outstanding scientists, engineers, administrators, and business executives. But I know that we will find the skills in industry, in the universities, and in government— both national and local-to do the job. The consequences of beginning now will be vital, for experience has demonstrated to us that dollars spent in sound research and development produce benefits many times over. Sincerely, LYNDON B. JOHNSON. A BILL To authorize the Secretary of Commerce to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation, and for other purposes Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to undertake research and development in high-speed ground transportation for the purpose of improving the national transportation system. In exercising this authority, the Secretary may lease, purchase, develop, test, and demonstrate new facilities, equipment, techniques and methods, and conduct such other activities as may be necessary to accomplish the purposes of this Act. SEC. 2. The Secretary is authorized to collect transportation data, statistics, and other information which he determines will contribute to the improvement of the national transportation system. SEC. 3. In carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to enter into agreements and to contract with public or private agencies, institutions, organizations, and individuals, without regard to sections 3648 and 3709 of the Revised Statutes (31 U.S.C. 529; 41 U.S.C. 5). The Secretary is further authorized to appoint, subject to the civil service laws and regulations, such personnel as may be necessary to enable him to carry out his functions and responsibilities under this Act. The Secretary is further authorized to procure services as authorized by section 15 of the Act of August 2, 1946 (5 U.S.C. 55a) but at rates for individuals not to exceed $100 per diem, unless otherwise specified in an appropriation act. SEC. 4. In carrying out the purposes of this Act, the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with the Administrator of the Housing and Home Finance Agency and such other departments and agencies as he deems appropriate. SEC. 5. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. Such appropriations when so specified in appropriation acts shall remain available until expended. |