Background: rise and fall of rail

Article Abstract:

Rail transportation has always relied on speed as a selling point, and trains were the fastest option for many people until the late 1920s, when automobiles became commonplace. Roads, gas stations, and motels were built to accommodate the new car-drivers, and lured riders from the railroads, who had not paid attention to the public's demand for comfort and speed. Railroads answered these demands in the 1930s, and captured a large share of the freight and public transport business during World War II. Federal support of commercial aviation, coupled with the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 caused the number of rail customers to plummet. Richard Nixon's creation of Amtrak made sure rail did not die, and recent legislation is inspiring new research of high-speed rail, the main focus being electromagnetic train technology.

Railroads, High speed trains, Choice of transportation, Transportation choice

---

"Project rush-rush." (Head Start summer preschool program)(includes related article) (Background)

Article Abstract:

The Head Start program was conceptualized by R. Sargent Shriver as a national extension of the Early Training Project of psychologist Susan Gray. The program was particularly inspired by the children who constituted almost half of the population living below the poverty level. Head Start was aimed to stimulate a preschooler's interest in school and duplicate Gray's success for five- to 10-point increases in participants' IQs. Although envisioned as an educational program, Head Start was largely geared toward health, as evidenced by the focus on medical services, nutrition and social services. It was also criticized as haphazardly planned during its initial stage.

Services, Education, Preschool, Preschool education, United States. Administration for Children and Families. Head Start Bureau

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Cries and misdemeanours. I have had to learn to live with peace. The thawing of the cold war
• Abstracts: Hope and fear. States push back
• Abstracts: Ottawa warned bank failures could increase. B of M to reveal restructuring plan
• Abstracts: Background: postwar economic boom. Background: sexual politics. Background: belated regulations
• Abstracts: What's a good grade worth? Some high school programs pay real money for students to stay in school and succeed

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.