Thought For The Day, 1939 Edition

Into every corner of our social and economic existence, the railroad is tightly interwoven. It is the backbone of the country, no, even more, it is its veritable lifeblood. In its 250,000 miles of steel veins, it flows to every far corner of a far-flung land, it binds in its living, throbbing embrace city and town and village, the open country, the forest, the mine, the forge, the factory, and the sea. It is indeed the nation's lifeblood, the great arm not only of its industry, but of its military defense. If it were to die, then the nation would die.

Foreword to the Railoads on Parade program guide, 1939-1940 New York World's Fair