Evening star., 1932-12-14
Ratifies Resolution of Citi-
zens' Joint Transportation
Committee.
MERGER OF STREET CAR
COMPANIES DISCUSSED
Henry I. Hartman Says Unified
System Would Improve
Service Here.

Pressing for action on pending legis-
lation to merge the Capitals two trac-
tion companies, the Washington Cham
Der Of Commerce at a special Trans
portation night" meeting in the May
flower Hotel last night formally ratified
the resolution Of the Citizens Joint
Transportation Committee. calling for
co-ordinated plan to end the Cha
otic' condition of the city's transpor-
tation system.
The action OF the trade body came
following an address by Henry I. Har-
riman. president Of the United States
Chamber Of Commerce and an author
ity on city transportation, in which he
urged merger Of the Capital Traction
Co. with the Washington Railway g.
Electric Co. as a means Of bettering the
situation.
Urges Careful Study.
'The urban transportation problem
IS acute in every large city in the
country" Mr.. Hartman said How
ever, from such information as I have
regarding the conditions surrounding
the operation of Washingtons street
railways, buses and taxicabs, the prob
lem is certainly in need Of most care
full study"
Praising the united efforts Of local
trade and civic organizations. acting
through the Citizens Joint Transporta-
tion Committee, the speaker said:
1T is not my function to advise as
to the specific methods of dealing with
your own transportation problems May
!, however, suggest that you consider
carefully whether Washington will not
have better transportation system.
more adequately serving the public, if
its two street railway companies are
brought under unified operation.
Opposes Cheap Service.
May further suggest that you
investigate most carefully the effect of
taxicab competition upon the earnings
Of your street railways. The public is
entitled to the best form of local trans
portation that can be devised. and the
taxicab has useful place in the scheme
Of urban transportation, but there Is no
lasting benefit to the public in cheap
service of any kind, if the cheapness Of
the service is the result OF inadequate
wages, improperly long hours of labor
and a failure to maintain the invest
ment and pay fair return"
There has been growing realization,
Mr. Hartman said, that local trans
portation companies are not merely the
private problems of their stockholders.
ito be viewed when trouble arises with
the mild sympathy with which the pub
lie sees the corner grocer forced to the
wal" The life and social welfare OF the
citizens are linked with city's trans
portation plan, he said.
Discusses Boston Plan.
Mr.. Hartman discussed briefly the
Boston plan Of private ownership and
public operation of its transportation
company, operating subways, elevated
roads, surface lines. busses and track
less trolleys. Mr.. Hartman has long
been associated with the Boston situa-
tion as chairman of the board OF pub
lie trustees of the company. His talk
last night was broadcast by Station
WMAL.
Other speakers included Gen. Mason
M. Patrick, chairman of the Public
Utilities Commission, and William A.
Roberts, assistant corporation counsel.
1T Is gratifying to note the civic
interest being displayed in Washing
tons transportation problem" Gen.
Patrick said. There are only one or
two snags in the path Of merger legis-
lation, and If public-spirited citizens
kCt tllc llcdSuIS 1ct1 CeI
they can be overcome"
Mr.. Roberts urged patience in trying
to put through necessary legislation to
improve transportation, asserting 1t is
a much larger proposition than just
merging the two traction companies.
Resolution Presented.
The resolution Of the Citizens Joint
Transportation Committee was pre-
sented by George E. Keneipp, chair
man of the chambers Transportation
Committee. which took the lead in
forming the city-wide group. 1t calls
for treatment of the problem as a whole
and not from any one angle. Its major
recommendations are for merger Of the
car lines and increased authority for
the Public Utilities Commission over
taxicabs
Among guests at the meeting last
night was Senator Warren r. Austin,
Republican. of Vermont, who yesterday
pledged his aid to the Citizens Com
mittee to bring about action on the
merger bill in the Senate this session.
Thomas P. Littlepage. president of the
trade body, referred to Senator Austin
as "a true friend of the District" He
is member of the Senate District
Committee.
Resolutions adopted by the trade body
included one indorsing Mai. Ernest w.
Brown, police chief; the District Com
missioners and the Fire Department for
the effective handling of the recent
hunger march. The chamber also
adopted a resolution offered by former
President Harry King opposing further
salary cuts for Federal employees. The
trade body pledged cooperation In the
plans for an elaborate inaugural cere-
mony March 4.