Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-11-01
MORE STOPS IN D. C.|
FOR Estate BUSSES|
Utilities Commission Hears
Interfederation Plea for
Better Facilities.

Expressing it's hearty accord in the
general plan for logical development
of adequate transportation lines into
nearby Maryland and Virginia, to be
embraced in the general Greater
Washington development plans of the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, members OF the District
Utilities Commission today promised
a liberal attitude in the granting Of
downtown stopping privileges to es-
tablished bus lines and favorable con-
sideration to any proposals that In
sure development Of trunk transporta-
ton lines from outlying sections along
logical lines.
The executive committee of the In
terfederation Conference. consisting
of President r. E. Plymale of the Ar
lington County Civic Federation;
Jesse c. Suter, president of the FEEDER
alton of Citizens Associations of the
District of Columbia, and Oliver Owen
Kuhn, president of the Montgomery
County Civic Federation, appeared be-
fore the commission, asking that
greater liberality be shown by the Dis
trict commission in granting down.
town stopping privileges. in order that
present inadequate transportation
conditions be rectifled, and that some
encouragement be given to companies
desiring to operate in the suburban
areas logically to be included IN
Greater Washington plans.
Suburban Growth Restricted.
Mr.. Kuhn, speaking on behalf OF
the Interfederation Conference and
the Montgomery Federation, declared
that the present policy of limiting the
loading and unloading privileges or
already established bus lines and the
knowledge that rights would be re-
stricted to new ones, had tended to re-
strict the logical growth of Washing
tons suburbs and was antagonist1c TO
the accepted theory of the Greater
Washington plan that adequate
through lines be established from the
suburbs to downtown Washington. At
present, he said, Maryland sections
are restricted in their growth ana
people generally Inconvenience by In
ADEQUATE transportation facilities.
Should there be granted large num-
Der of stops in downtown sections or
the city and interstate busses be per-
mitted to take on and let off passen.
gers at a larger number OF fixed
points en- route these lines naturally
could be expected to not only live, Dut
render desired service.
Mr.. Kuhn declared that the present
move was not in the interest of one or
many carriers, and that If present
existing and operating companies
would extend their facilities to care
for the thickly populated areas outside
the District, this would be satisfac-
tory, but that If the established COM
panies refused to grant such service,
then the District Utilities Commission
should entertain proposals from new
companies who would insure needed
service. These interstate companies.
he said, should be permitted greater
degree Of latitude in the taking on
and letting off Of passengers within
the District.
Sees Curb on City Plans.
The chief trouble today, he declared,
was that the number Of points within
the District where bus lines could
take on and let off passengers was
80 restricted as to place throttl1ng
curbs upon the development of out
living areas in accord with the greater
WASHINGTON plans. This system, he
said. worked to the disinterest of
Washington merchants, to the disin-
terest of thousands of people residing
in outlying sections but working in
Washington, and was a great draw
back to any company proposing to
remedy the situation.
Commissioner Bell declared there
was no reason why the District Utili-
ties Commission should not extend
the number Of stops for bus lines
within the District, and in this view
he was supported by Commissioners
Rudolph and Dougherty.
The commission suggested that the
committee approach
the traction companies to see If these
could not be persuaded to extend
their activities SO as to embrace bus
line systems within the thickly popu-
lated area of Montgomery County. In
case existing operating companies re-
fuse to give the granted relief and
establish routes in conformance to de-
sired ends, then the District Commits
sioners would consider new proposals
from other concerns desiring to tap
the territories affected
Commission Sympathetic.
The District commission declared
that 1t might be expected at all times
that it's policies in regard to the eS-
Establishment of adequate transporta-
ton lines from suburban Washington,
which in effect must become part and
parcel Of the District OF Columbia,
would be sympathetic.
Members Of the Interfederation Con-
ference executive committee will ar
range conference with the traction
companies most interested in the mat
ter of extension of service and deter
mine~their attitude toward augment
ing prevailing facilities. It is expect
ed. however, that if encouragement Is
not received. Immediately new COM
panies will file petitions for charter
with the service commission of Mary
land and in turn file them with the
District commission and ask certain
rights for loading and unloading pas
sengers within the District Of Co
lumbia.