Address by Honorable William C. Redfield Informative Summary

Overview:

This speech by Secretary of Commerce William C. Redfield, delivered in September 1918, outlines his vision for a unified transportation system in the United States, emphasizing the critical role of highways and motor trucks alongside railroads and waterways. Redfield argues that each mode of transportation, when properly integrated, can complement and support the others, forming a “trinity” of transportation. He emphasizes that highways, particularly in rural areas, are vital for connecting communities and facilitating efficient movement of goods and people.

Drawing historical parallels, Redfield traces the evolution of transportation from early waterways and the arrival of railroads to the emergence of motor trucks, fueled by the internal combustion engine. He highlights the importance of adapting the transportation infrastructure to the specific tools and technologies used, advocating for a unified approach that considers the strengths and limitations of each mode.

Key Findings:

Integrated transportation: The speech argues for a unified approach to transportation, incorporating railroads, waterways, and highways as complementary systems.
Importance of highways: Redfield emphasizes the crucial role of highways, particularly in rural areas, for connecting communities and facilitating the movement of goods and people.
Motor trucks as essential: He advocates for the widespread adoption of motor trucks as a vital element of the national transportation system, arguing that they are essential for connecting rural areas and providing efficient delivery services.
Differentiation of transportation: The speech acknowledges that different modes of transportation are best suited for specific types of goods and services, emphasizing the need for a diversified approach.

Learning:

The evolving nature of transportation: Readers will learn about the historical development of transportation, from waterways to railroads and the emergence of motor trucks, highlighting the constant adaptation of infrastructure and technology.
The importance of integrated transportation: The speech underscores the interconnectedness of different transportation modes, demonstrating how their integration can create a more efficient and effective system.
The essential role of highways: The importance of highways in connecting communities and facilitating economic activity, particularly in rural areas, is emphasized, challenging the reader to consider their role in a modern society.
The transformative power of technology: The speech illustrates how technological advancements, such as the internal combustion engine, can fundamentally reshape transportation systems and create new opportunities.

Historical Context:

The speech was delivered in September 1918, during the final months of World War I. The United States was facing a critical shortage of transportation capacity, fueled by the demands of the war effort. This context underscores the urgency of Redfield’s message, as he calls for the nation to prioritize the development of a robust and interconnected transportation system to meet the challenges of the wartime economy.

Facts:

Early transportation: The first two lines of through transportation in America were the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes, while the Hudson River served as a central north-south route for over a century.
Erie Canal: The Erie Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, marking a significant step in the development of transportation in the United States.
Hudson River transportation: The Hudson River has historically been a major transportation route, with a large number of railroad tracks and a substantial fleet of vessels.
Transportation trinity: The United States transportation system is a “trinity” consisting of railroads, waterways, and highways, and each component is essential for a complete system.
The internal combustion engine: The internal combustion engine has revolutionized transportation, making possible new tools for waterways and highways.
Mississippi River barges: The government is putting into operation barges for the Mississippi River, designed to transport ore and coal, made possible by the internal combustion engine.
New York State Barge Canal: The New York State Barge Canal, with a 12-foot draft, can carry 2,500 tons of cargo in vessels powered by internal combustion engines.
Waterway-railroad collaboration: The Railroad Administration is operating inland waterways, demonstrating a shift toward collaboration between different transportation modes.
Rural express: Redfield envisions a system of rural express services, connecting farms and villages to larger transportation networks, using motor trucks.
Cost of bad roads: Redfield argues that bad roads are costly to communities, emphasizing the need for investment in road infrastructure.
Motor truck efficiency: Motor trucks are highly efficient for transporting goods over short distances, particularly in rural areas, where they connect farms and businesses to larger transportation networks.
Pribilof Islands transportation: Motor trucks have been implemented on the Pribilof Islands in the Behring Sea, demonstrating their effectiveness in remote and isolated areas.
Fishery station access: Motor trucks are used to access isolated fishery stations, enabling efficient transportation of goods and resources.
Rural free delivery: Motor trucks play a crucial role in extending the reach of rural free delivery and parcel post services.
Transportation as a unity: Redfield concludes that railroads, waterways, and highways are interdependent elements of a unified transportation system, each contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the network.

Statistics:

Hudson River freight: Over 8,000,000 tons of freight are transported annually on the Hudson River by water.
Motor truck radius: Motor trucks radiate out from major transportation terminals, extending delivery services for up to 50-100 miles.
Mississippi River ore: Barges on the Mississippi River can carry 1,800 tons of ore per vessel, with a draft of only 6 feet of water.
New York Barge Canal: The New York Barge Canal, with a 12-foot draft, can carry 2,500 tons per vessel.
Pribilof Islands: Motor trucks on the Pribilof Islands can transport seal skins and building materials, proving their value in remote areas.

Terms:

Internal combustion engine: An engine that converts chemical energy into mechanical energy by burning fuel within the engine’s cylinders.
Motor truck: A heavy-duty vehicle designed for transporting goods and materials, often used for commercial purposes.
Highway: A public road designed for vehicular traffic, often with multiple lanes and higher speeds.
Rural express: A delivery service that transports goods and people between rural areas and larger transportation networks.
Rural free delivery: A postal service that delivers mail directly to homes in rural areas.
Parcel post: A postal service that handles the delivery of packages and other parcels.
Barge: A flat-bottomed boat used for transporting goods, often on rivers and canals.
Draft: The depth of water a vessel needs to float.
Freight: Goods that are transported by a commercial carrier.

Examples:

Hudson River transportation: The speech cites the example of a factory in Troy, New York, that utilizes water express services to transport machinery from Troy to New York City overnight, showcasing the efficiency of water transportation for certain types of goods.
New Haven motor truck network: Redfield describes a system in New Haven, Connecticut, where motor trucks transport goods from surrounding areas to a steamboat line, which then carries the goods to New York City, illustrating how different modes of transportation can be integrated.
Kentucky to Illinois delivery: Redfield presents a hypothetical scenario of delivering goods from Kentucky to Illinois, illustrating how motor trucks can connect rural communities to waterways and ultimately deliver goods to their final destinations.
Pribilof Islands: Redfield provides the example of the Pribilof Islands in the Behring Sea, where motor trucks have been used to transport seal skins and building materials, showcasing their value in remote and isolated areas.
Fishery stations: The speech highlights the use of motor trucks at isolated fishery stations, demonstrating how they enable efficient transportation of resources and goods.

Conclusion:

Secretary of Commerce William C. Redfield’s 1918 speech offers a compelling vision for a unified transportation system in the United States, emphasizing the importance of highways and motor trucks alongside railroads and waterways. He argues for a “trinity” of transportation, where each mode plays a vital role in connecting communities, facilitating the movement of goods, and meeting the diverse transportation needs of the nation. The speech highlights the dynamic and evolving nature of transportation, emphasizing the need for adaptation and integration to meet the challenges of a modern society. Redfield’s vision anticipates the growing importance of highways and motor trucks in the years to come, foreshadowing the transformative impact these technologies would have on transportation and the economy.

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