Preserve Amtrak

To the Editors of The Crimson:

President Carter wants to cut Amtrak in half for now, which is, of course, just a step toward its complete elimination.

Carter admits there is an oil crisis, but he opposes the most important thing that can be done to meet this crisis: developing a transportation system that does not depend 100 per cent on the automobile and the airplane. This means a rail system, because: (1) with sufficient traffic, railroads are the most fuel-efficient form of transportation; and (2) railroads can and should be electrified (as in Europe) because electricity can be generated by almost any fuel. It will take years to develop such a system, and we can not wait until the oil is gone to begin.

Eliminating Amtrak routes will reduce patronage on connecting routes, making them subject to discontinuance, and eventually killing all rail passenger service. This is, of course, what Carter wants.

That the public wants Amtrak, was proven by several nationwide polls. It was also proven by the testimony at the hearings all over the country, on which were based the Interstate Commerce Commission's report. This report was favorable to Amtrak, but it was ignored by President Carter and his Department of Transportation.

The deadline for Congress to reject Carter's demands is May 15. Failing this, the dismembering of Amtrak that he wants will become permanent. If we are to have any rail passenger service in the future, it is imperative that Congress rejects the President's plan. Persons who realize the importance of this should write to their Congressmen and Senators immediately, because there is no time to lose. John J. Bowman Jr.