Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16
All Other States and Canada.
Member Of the Afsociated Press.
Local and Suburban Traction.

In their argument before the Public
Utilities Commission the other day
representatives of the electric traction
lines that enter Washington from Viz
ginia seeking a route to an intersquare
terminal, to replace the street terminal
soon to be abandoned to make way for
Government buildings, advanced the
proposition that the people Of the
nearby suburbs south and west OF the
river have as much right to come into
Washington by tram as the people OF
adjacent Maryland. They pointed out
that lines from Maryland enter the
District and run to the center OF the
city. and this fact they presented Is
reason why the desired facilities for
washington terminal should be granted
20 the Virginia car riders.
There is no established right in the
case. The fact that the lines in ques-
ton have been operating for long
ueriod into the heart of the city does
not create such right, washington. Of
course, wants the people Of Virginia's
suburbs to be accommodated to the
fullest possible extent. so that they can
reach their places Of business here most
conveniently and speedily and cheaply.
But there is q consideration beyond
such a desire, and that is the proper
Arrangement of traction facilities that
win most fully conserve the interests Of
an the street users in the Capital. II
the streets Of the city are to be griddled
With car tracks for the accommodation
of all who may wish to enter WASH
inRton from all quarters, only confusion
and congestion viii result. II lie the
duty Of the Public Utilities Commission
10 reduce the. cong stion in the streets
70 the lowest poc ole minimum con-
sistent with the tranr. rortation Of the
greatest number Of passengers.
This existing system OF street car
tracks in washington Is more or less OF
q hodge podge. with much duplication,
paralleling, needless crossing and con-
sequert congestion. In the early days
Of street railway construction lines were
laid down which ct the time served the
public ven without crowding. Motor
vehicles were then unknown. Street
traGhc was light. No plan could be
devised looking to . future Of unknown
Developments. II merger Of the two
major street railway companies is
effected, rs it should be, changes can
be brought shout that viii reduce the
congestion and permit q smooth flow
Of tranhc, with q maximum Of profits
to the transit company without needless
overhead. Feeder lines should. indeed,
be operated If not owned by such a
consolidated corporation. Suburban
branches should be part Of the urban
system. There should be no loose ends
and misadiustments. such as those that
are nov In evidence in the pending
question of the Virginia services
The Public Utilities Commission can
not itself reconstruct the local traction
organization. AS the representative Of
the community, il seeks the uniheation
OF the lines, the clearance Of the streets
Of needless tracks and the maximum
accommodation TO all carriers. whether
local or suburban, Maryland or Virginia.
"A makeshift arrangement TO meet the
reeds Of these present petitioners for
accommodations viii only delay the con-
summation which all desire. the estab-
lishment Of fully serving and a least
congesting traction system within the
District.