Evening star., 1926-04-07
0FF|C|ALSFAVOR
TW0-DECK BUSSES
lanham and EIdridge Re.
move Main Objections by
Their Testimony at Hearing.

Previous opposition to the opera
ton of doubie.deck husses on the
streets Of Washington was submerged
under an avala nche OF approval from
a score Of witnesses. who testified be
fore the Public Utilities Commission
today AT a hearing on the appiica
ton Of the Washington Rapid Transit
Co. for permission to purchase six
new two-deck busses.
The only opposition recorded was
contained In two communicat tions and
a resolution adopted by the Twenteth h
Century Club. One OF the letters was
written by DR. George r. Bowerman
librarian OF the Public Library.
Main Objections Overruied.
The commission recently rejected
the spplica ton of the ira nsit com
pany for authority To operate more Of
the two-deck busses. chiefly becau use
of reports that considerable trimming
Of the shade trees along the routes
would be necessary. Complaint also
had been made that the busses inter
fered with traffic.
Both Of these objections, however
were wiped out by the testimony of
Clifford I.anham, superintendent of
trees and parking Of the District. and
TrafYic Director NJ. o. EldridEe.
Mr.. Lanham assured the commits,
sion that not single branch of the
shade trees along Sixteenth street
would have to he disturbed by the
ope ra tion Of the double .deckers while
Mr.. Eldridge expressed the opinion
that the busses would have tend
ency to improve raffic conditions.
@ No "Peepiag" Protest.
Even the critics OF the rubher-Heck.
Ing proclivities of the double deck
bus riders. failed TO raise their voice
In further protest Al the hearing
The only reference 10 the s"peepers"
was made by Villa m Mex. TIA yton.
chairman Of the public utilities com
mittee Of the Federation Of Citizens
Associations. who facetiously suggest
ed the instal ton Of blinds on the
top decks to prevent passengers from
gazing into second story windows
a Mr.. Eldfidee seemed to surprise the
commission somewhat by. advocating
an Increase In the number OF double
deckers. In view Of the compla ints Of
the motorists. He laid down three
rules. however. which he said should
govern their operation. These were
that the busses he required to stop
not more than 3 feet from
curb; that they not be permitted TO
park abreast when held up by red
stop lights. and that the near side
hus stops through the automatic light
control area on sixteenth street he re.
stored
street Blocking Ended.
Considerable opposition had been
made by motorists. Mr.. Eldridge said
because the busses used the middle of
to the curb when taking on or dis.
charging passengers. The ira ansit COM
pany corrected this situation he M i'd.
by discharging number Of the of
Tending drivers
Among the witnesses who approved
the increase In ouble-deckers were
George Offutt. chairman of the Dis
trict Traffic Council and chairman Of
the local advisory board of the Amer
ican Automobile ASsocia ton: Richard
j.. Conner. who spoke for the public
utilities and transportation committee
Of the Washington Board OF Trade
Arthur F.. Seymour. representing the
board Of director of the Washington
Chan Of Commerce: Horace j.
Phelps, chairman Of the public
utilities committee Of the Petworth
Citizens Associa tion: John D. Rhodes
OF InS SlXlecnlU stTcct
Citizens Association: Edgar r. Hen
derson. president OF the Piney Branch
Citizens Association. A. J. Driscoil,
president OF the Mid-Cty Citizens
Associa ton. and Mr.. Clayton.
Vote Of Riders Given.
w. d. Merrill. president and gen.
eral ma ma ger OF the Transit company.
supported the company's application
bv pointing out that the double-deck
ers relieve traffic congestion during
the rush hours because they carry
almost twice as many passengers as
the single deck busses and occupy no
more street space. While the cost of
opers ton of the double-deckers is 8
cents greater per mile Ihan the sircle-
deckers, ne declared that the revenue
per mile ra nges between ~ and ~ per
cent larger.
Results Of the .companHS recent
poll of the bus riders. showing an
overwhelming sentiment in favor of
the two-deckers. were officially pre-
sented by Mr.. Merrill. The final tab.
ulation. he said, showed that S.056
riders favored the double -deckers and
only s objected.
The commission opened tho hear.
ing by considering the application of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Co. for authority to establish shut
tie bus line, operating from Foxhall
Village to Thirty.f1fth street and
Reservoir road. connecting with its
Burleigh bus line. No objection was
registered.
Practically 100 per cent of the