Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-08
Rights of Virginia Car Riders.

Thus far solution of the problem
raised by the Governments impending
closing of the Mount Vernon, Alexandria
and washington Railroad terminal at
Twelfth street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. has been approached from two
angles
One is for the railroad to abandon
Ats tracks and privileges within the
District and the payment of compen-
satory award to the railroad. That pro-
posal is obviously unfair, both in its dis
regard Of the convenience Of the patrons
Of the railroad and in its assumption of
some mythical liability on the part of
District taxpayers which they incur
through the railroads loss of its present
terminal. The proposal. for the time
being, Is safe in dark pigeonhole,
where it belongs.
The other is for new terminal north
bf Pennsylvania avenue. possibly at
Eleventh and E streets. That proposal
has been turned down once by the Pub
lie Utilities Commission, correctly an
ticipating the traffic difficulties that
would result The comm Ission. in turn,
has offered the railroad terminal facili-
ties In Southwest Washington on Water
street, which the railroad declines to
consider.
None of this history, however, pre-
supposes any prejudice on the part Of
either the Public Utilities Commission
or other District authorities against
the manifestly Just and reasonable
demands of Virginia residents who
patronize regularly the Mount Vernon,
Alexandria and Washington Railroad.
and the Arlington and Fairfax Railroad,
these demands being that something
be done to prevent the loss of transpor-
tation facilities providing them with
convenient access to downtown Wash
ington, where a great majority of them
work and transact their business
1t can be taken for granted that the
Public Utilities Commission, at the
hearing arranged for next week. viii
receive for sympathetic consideration
the various petitions and arguments
offered by Virginia residents and their
friendly neighbors In Washington who
have come to their assistance in the
search for q reasonable solution Of the
difficulties.
The needs of these car riders should
Influence the commission in whatever
decision it makes. The car riders, as
usual, are the ones who have been
placed between the devil and the deep
blue sea through negotiations between
Government officials, primarily intent
on getting rid Of the railroad problem,
and the owners of the railway. seeking
the best bargain they can drive. Espe-
cially is this true Of the patrons of the
Arlington and Fairfax Railroad, which.
enters Washington over the tracks of
the Mount Vernon, Alexandria and
washington line. Whatever decision is
made in respect to this latter railroad
win naturally affect the other.
The Public Utilities Commission may
md it possible Il. suggest other ex-
pedients than street terminals, which
rs lar as the cOtlBeSVcu seCtiou ID CoH~
cerned, should be considered a thing Of
the past. The idea of a loop. or belt
line through the congested section, with
facilities Tor the layover of cars outside
the crowded zone, might prove practical
And there is the possibility of Joint use
of the Washington. Baltimore and An
nRpolis terminal or some other off,
street terminal.
But responsibility for solution Of the
problem rests primarily upon the rail-
road operators. II is up TO the railroad
to make a proposition that viii be ac-
ceptable 70 the city authorities. If one
Is refused. It should be ready with
feasible alternatives. The hearings
next week should provide an excellent
opportunity for judging whether the
railroad at present is actuated by a
sincere and honest desire to make some
arrangement by which It may continue
to furnish eflcient and convenient
service for It's patrons, or whether 1t is
playing waiting game in the hope
Of making the NEST out OF the situation
by which It has already delayed the
Federal building program.