Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-12
TRAM REROUTING
STUDIES PLANNED
Virginia Rural Electric Lines
Change to Be Probed by
Committee.

Plans for a further study by a joint
COMMITTEES representing washington and
Virginia civic and business interests for
the rerouting Of two Virginia street car
systems, made necessary by the Federal
building program, were made at an
informal hearing of interested parties
before the Public Utilities Commission
today
Harleigh H. Hartman, vice chairman
OF the commission, intimated this morn
ing that facilities far in excess of those
now existing at the intersection, would
be needed IL the demands Of the nearby
Virginia residents for transportation
across Pennsylvania avenue at Four
tenth stree. were met by the com
mission.
Insists on Study.
Hartman insisted the study should
be made with a view to determining a
way to get around the commission S
position hat 1t would be a physical
impossibility 10 send a large number
Of additional street cars across Penn
sylvania avenue at Fourteenth street.
He also asked that consideration be
given to The commission proposal that
the Virginia lines terminate at Four
teenth street and Constitution avenue.
1AON Gftli yO0 SAuECNE ally IitNkE SbLECN
cars through Fourteenth street and the
Avenue?" Hartman inquired at one
point during the hearing. Its a
physician impoSsibility. You'd have to
have rubber street cars to do it."
Among those who urged a solution
OF the problem were A K. Shipe, chair
man OF the Public Utilities Committee
Of the Washington Board of Trade;
William &. Cloth, commonwealth at
torney OF Arlington County; Howard w.
Smith, member OF Congress from Viz
ginia; Walter U. Vatney Of the Airing
ton County Chamber of Commerce, J.
William May Of the Alexandria Cham
Der of Commerce, Carl BudweslSy, cor
porat1on attorney OF Alexandria, and
Arthur Clarendon Smith Of the Wash
ington Chamber OF Commerce.
Trade Loss Seen.
The civic leaders agreed the Virginia
residents were entitled TRANSFORMATION
facilities which would not involve trans
fers. They also commended business
houses In Washington would lose large
amount OF revenue unless the proposed
extension should be granted Another
point stressed was that Virginia property
would decrease in value unless the street
car lines oninue IN operation.
1t would mean a substantial loss to
the property owners who have bought
land and built homes within easy access
| 10 these roads upon the rightful assump~
ton that they viii continue TO operate, "
Shipe declared. We are advised that
the Alexandria line has been in opera
ton for approximately IS years. and
that the Arlington Fairfax line has been
operating for approximately 80 wears
both within the District Of Columbia,
These roads haul approximately
1000, GOO passengers each year into and
( out OF Washington.
1t 1t the interest of this riding
( public which we submit must be consid-
[ cred in arriving at your determination
OF this problem. A large percentage OF
( them are Government employees. Many
| OF them are otherwise employed in the
/ Dish ct, and a considerable number are
| patrons Of the business interests OF
/ Washington
The evidence shows that a great
4 portion Of the Arlington Fairfax lines
! serve a community that cannot be
I reached by bus transportation.
Among the points cited by May were
! Right to Cross Avenue.
Passengers entering the District from
/ the south have as rlach natural right
4 70 cross Pennsylvania avenue es pas
/ senSsfS moving from any other direc-
1 ton. The objection advanced by ycur
/ commission IS congestion of traffic al
I Fourteenth street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. Two hundred and seventy -three
/ cars pass this point ct peak-load hour
Two hundred o9 said cars move eaki