January 13, 1966 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE 159 pled with a capability to reach the city cen­ be constructed. Because of the scale of the The report of the Cornell Aeronautical ter under automatic control on a high­ project and the expense involved, this re­ La:boratory concludes that the Federal Gov­ density track system" is the mode of urban search is unlikely to be undertaken unless it ernment should undertake a research pro­ transport which should be developed because is sponsored by the Federal Government. gram to develop new modes of urban trans­ it would meet the desire of people for in­ While conducting the research, the engineers port. Among its major recommendations for dividual transport. could undoubtedly take advantage of ad­ improving transportation along the northeast The report stated that a new urban trans­ vances made by the space industry, particu­ corridor it says: port system "must, to a high degree, be im­ larly in the area of propulsion and computer "Initiate a program to define, design, and mediately compatible with people and their control. Perhaps some of the space advances develop an experimental prototype urban established way of life, else it will not even could be adapted to urban tra..."'l.sportation individual transportation system employing survive its childbirth and growing pains." use. a specialized form of vehicle and guidance." Therefore, it suggests, the "direction for de­ The automotive industry, too, would be The report goes on to point out that many velopment in commuter transportation that able to contribute its expertise in develop­ of the technical and system aspects of new appears to hold more promise is that of an ing the vehicles to be used in new systems, urban transport systems still in the drawing automated system of small individual urban and then in manufacturing them. board stage have not yet been solved. Con­ vehicles." The report concludes: In fact, the research program could, and sequently, it says: "The automated portion of the system should, go beyond merely developing the "Technical study in greater depth, ac­ could properly be routed and integrated with technological features of a new system. It companied by experimental development, is existing streets and urban expressways to should seek to determine the impact it would necessary before the technical feasibility, eco­ best serve the origin-destination require­ have on the society in which it will oper­ nomics, and public acceptance can be realis­ ments of both the suburban and the urban ate. As John Kohl stated in his July 1964 tically evaluated." population. This system would, at least in article in this periodical with regard to the Furthermore, John Kohl, in an April 16, its initial applications, be designed to sup­ pilot mass transit demonstration program 1964, speech before the Conference on Re­ plement the existing street system rather then in operation, "Overall, the problems of sponsibilities for Urban Transportation Plan­ than replace it." urban transportation are being considered ning in Newark, N.J., predicted that a Fed­ eral stimulus would be necessary to foster THE COMMUCAR-A GOOD EXAMPLE as integral parts of the physical and social complex of urban growth and change; they the research necessary to develop new sys­ A good example of the urbmobile and the are not treated as isolated technical prob­ tems and that the stimulus would be forth­ type of new system which could be developed lems, to be solved entirely by transportation coming in the then pending Mass Transpor­ under an extensive Federal research program considerations." This is entirely a proper tation Act of 1964. He said: is the commucar which has been proposed by undertaking for any federally sponsored re­ "It is confidently believed that a very the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. search program. modest Federal effort coupled with the pro­ The commucar was the result of a coopera­ gram to improve the financial climate of the tive faculty-student effort in the spring of FEDERAL INCENTIVE NEEDED transit industry can unlock the great re­ 1964 stimulated by the institute's natural in­ Private industry, as it is expected to do search and development talents of American terest in transportation problems generally now, cannot carry the burden of this re­ industries and universities so far as urban and by its work for the Department of Com­ search. Mr. Kohl in a speech to the Na­ transportation is concerned. As a result, merce on preliminary aspects of the north­ tional Transportation Engineering Confer­ there can be available in the not-too-distant east corridor project. ence in Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 19, future, better and more appropriate transit The commucar is envisioned as a small, 1964, pointed out that the transportation in­ systems to complement our unexcelled high­ lightweight vehicle which can carry up to dustry is slow to undertake its own research way facilities and to round out an effectively four passengers. It could travel along guide­ and development programs because of the balanced system of community transporta­ ways getting power from an electric siderail, difficulty of getting that investment back tion. or it could be driven independently under its through the sale of the new equipment and "If we recognize the true nature of the own power. Besides safety and speed, the systems. Thus, only a federally financed present crisis-that of avoiding the loss of commucar, as conceived, would have the ad­ program oan get the job done. The histories public transportation-we can avert it be­ vantage of taking its passengers directly to of the Manhattan project which ultimately fore it assumes staggering pr,oportions." their destination without the necessity of produced atomic energy for civilian use, and Unfortunately, the stimulus that Mr. Kohl transfer. Because the vehicle as designed of the National Aeronautics and Space Ad­ suggested would be forthcoming from the would be light and compact, it could be ministration which has contributed so much 1964 act has not materialized. Thus if we parked easily and in constricted quarters, to our knowledge in the use of space vehicles are to recognize the true nature of the pres­ even perhaps racked one upon the other. demonstrate the value of a concerted Fed­ ent crisis we need to establish soon a fed­ Othe::- systems include the starrcar de­ eral effort into a particular problem. erally sponsored research program that will veloped by the Alden Self Transit Systems If the Federal Government had not taken unlock the great research and development Corp. of Westboro, Mass., and the teletrans the initiative in the development of atomic talents of American industries and univer­ d~vised by the Teletrans Corp. of Detroit, energy and space satellites, we would never sities. Mich. The starrcar is quite similar in func­ have reaped the harvest we enjoy today. We know the technological breakthrough tion to the commucar, while the teletrans Without a considerable Federal effort to de­ is needed: to develop systems which can system confines its vehicles to the guideways, vise new urban transportation systems, it carry people quickly, safely, and econom­ keeping them under automatic control at all will be many years before we successfully ically from place to place within urban areas, times. cope with this problem. If we launch today without polluting the air, and in such a way While technologically feasible, more re­ a Federal research program for the develop­ as to meet the needs of the people for in­ search is needect before model demonstration ment of new modes of urban transport, we dividual transport, and at the same time systems for the commucar for example, can can enjoy the fruits of the work in the 1970's. contribute to good city planning. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May the life of the Christ, which was AFFIRMATION: VIETNAM-STUDENT full of Thy grace and truth, make us BODY MOVEMENT AT EMORY UNI­ equal to all the issues, the problems, the VERSITY THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1966 difficulties, the tragedies of our troubled Mr. LANDRUM. Mr. Speaker, I ask The House met at 12 o'clock noon. and tangled times. Help us to realize that He is still the unanimous consent to address the House The Chaplain, Rev. Bernard Braskamp, for 1 minute and to revise and extend my D.D., quoted this verse of Scripture: keeper of the kind of life which we must remarks. John 1 : 17: The law was given by seek to know and be ready and eager The SPEAKER. Is there objection Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus to share with mankind. to the request of the gentleman from Christ. May we feel that the need is urgent Georgia? Almighty God, teach us that no aspira­ and the time is opportune that men There was no objection. tion or hope or truth, vouchsafed to our everywhere must partake in His grace Mr. LANDRUM. Mr. Speaker, at souls, is too high or holy to be fulfilled and truth. Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., a large by Thy love anc: power. In His name we pray. Amen. number of the student body at that great Grant that we may cultivate those institution have organized and launched truths which will make us wise and a movement to affirm the college stu­ faithful toward Thee and give us a con­ THE JOURNAL dents' support of this Nation's commit­ ception of life and duty which relates ment in Vietnam. The operation is en­ to the inheritance and destiny of hu­ The Journal of the proceedings of yes­ titled "Affirmation: Vietnam." Under manity. terday was read and approved. the leadership of young, intelligent, ' . 160 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- HOUSE January 13, 1966 patriotic students at Emory, the orga­ made by my distinguished colleague, the young Americans feel.