Railroad Head Raps Restrictions of Interstate Commerce Commission--Forsees 30,000,000 Population in New York

Mr. A. J. County, Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in a speech made last night at the Business School, outlined extensive plans for electrified railroads and airplane travel, now being considered by Pennsylvania authorities.

With a vicious criticism of the Interstate Commerce Commission, he mentioned as an instance that the Pennsylvania Railroad is regulated under laws which permit neither advancement nor a fair return on capital invested. A greater degree of freedom would allow the railroad to put its plans through more effectively, since it would be unhampered by restricting laws.

In the course of his speech mention was made of the progress in electrification made by the railroad. The lines between Philadelphia and New York are to be entirely electrified at a cost of over $100,000,000. The change from the present system to that of electrification will require six or seven years, for its completion. In carrying out this plan the railroad is looking forward to the time when the problem of providing transportation facilities will be an entirely different matter than it is at present. The electrified system will be adequate to supply New York City with transportation facilities when that city has a population of 30,000,000 inhabitants. On these lines, trains of 125 cars each will travel at the rate of 70 miles per hour and above. It is expected that economy and better service as well as increased efficiency will result.