Evening star., 1927-10-17


about negotiations and plans might
defeat the very object in view.
"The pIan I handed to Chairman
Childress of the Public Utilities Com
mission Is purely tentative and is
submitted merely as basis for dis
cussion. 1t is important to discuss
these matters with the public authori-
ties as well as with leading citizens
and civic organizations in prelimi'
nary way, with a view to perfecting
something that will meet with pub.
lie approval and thus be assured OF
sanction of Congress, which In the
final analysis must pass the necessary
legislation. :,
Washington's transportation problem
arises out of the fact that / have for
many years lived at Holm Hall. near
Mount Vernon, which was originally
a part of the George Washington
estate, and have spent much time In
Washington. am keeniy interested
in the artistic as well as the economic
development of this city.
washington ought to be the most
beautiful city in the world. 1t is
already one of the most beautiful, but
1t is apparent to every one who has
studied the problem that many mis-
takes have been made in it's physical
development particularly with re.
spect to transportation, and that its
artistic development cannot be secured
unless some means con be found TO
make the public authority supreme In
all these matters and to compel
subordination Of purely private inter-
ests while at the same time surround
ing ch rights with every proper and
legitimate protection.
For many years I have been ac-
lively engaged in the public utility
business. / have both established and
operated public utilities. My ideas,
therefore, about the Washington situa-
ton are not merely academic, but are
based upon a long, practical expert.
ence. / purchased recently control
ling interest in the Washington Rapid
Trinsit Co.
II do not represent any company,
interest or group of interests in this
work. My purchase of the bus line
was induced by the consideration that
the service could be improved by intro
duction of better and more artistic
busses, and that in my hands it would
not be permitted to hinder or compli.
cate a consolidation necessary and
essential to a superior system Of trans.
portation within the District. My in.
terest in the problem Is, therefore, not
a selfish one as the owner of the
Washington Rapid Transit Co.. which
l pledge to the proposed consolidation
without profit to myself, but an
aesthetic one as a citizen who believes
that the Identification and artistic
development of Washington is not
purely local, but a matter Of national
significance.
Seeks q Solution.
IT hope very earnestly that when
the plans are submitted to the Public
Utilities Commission they may re-
ceive fair and full consideration and
that they may prove happy solu.
ton of the 1ong-standing problem of
transit facilities.
II am fortunate in having secured
as my counsel in this matter the law
firm of McAdoo, Neblett. O'Connor
and Claggett, of which w. G. Nc
Adoo, former Secretary of the Treas
ury. is the senior member. / sought
Mr.. McAdoo's cooperation because he
built the Hudson River tunnels in
New York and has an unusually ripe
experience in transportation problems.
l am actively comforting with public
spirited citizens whose counsel Is in
dispensible. When the preliminary
discussions and negotiations now in
progress are completed and a definite
plan is formulated, / shall present 1t
formally to the Public Utilities Com
mission and invite the widest pos.
sible discussion"