Evening star., 1932-07-13
Civic Leaders Prepare Argu-
ments Against Carriers on
New Memorial Highway.
NINE COMPANIES ASK
PERMITS TO OPERATE
Residents at Lower End of Route
Say Service Is Needed for
School Children.

Opposition to the proposal that buses
be allowed to run on regular schedule
along the Mount Vernon Memorial
highway, aroused both in Washington
and along The route traversed bv tina
scenic road in Virginia, was marshalinz
ltS forces today to save the road for
the enjoyment Of the public. A public
nearing on the matter will be held to-
morrow morning in the office of Lieut.
Col. U. S. Grant, 3d. director of the
once OF Public Buildings and Public
Parks, who has jurisdiction over the
highway. t-Ae
Applications for use Of the highway
nave neen made by nine bus companies.
opponents OF the proposal to open the
nlgnWay to bus traffic pointed out TODAY
that Wnlle barring the lines from the
Ioao mlght work hardship on some
residents along the lower end of the
highway, this hardship would be over
weighed by the benefit millions of yisi-
tors 10 washington and historic Virginia
"ouio receive through unhampered use
Of the road for pleasure.
"Pick-Up" Traffic Limited.
=, They further held the belief that
there was not sufficient passenger pick
up trafhc to be gained from service
along the road to make the service pay
on that basis alone
CIVIC and business leaders of Wash
lngtcn. Arlington County, the city of
alexandra and Fairfax County were
preparing to fight the proposal and
keep the bus lines operating on other
roads between Washington and points
IN the vicinity Of the Memorial High
way.
business men Of the Alexandria
chamber Of Commerce were holding a
public hearing this afternoon before
the chambers board to determine the
sentiment OF Alexandria interests to
the proposal that the buses be allowed
mdlscrlm1nate use Of the road. The
Arlington and Fairfax County Cham
bers of Commerce already have con-
demned the proposal, and will have
representatives at tomorrow's hearing
which begins at 1870 am.
Other Roads Available.
Likewise, officials of both counties.
and Edmund Ticer, mayor of Alex
anorla, have expressed disapproyal of
any proposal that would open the
Memorial Highway to the bus lines.
holding that other roads between Wash.
mgton and Virginia points in the
vicinity Of the highway are ample for
transportation of commuters to and
from the Capital
The proposal also has received the
disapproval of both the United States
and the District George Washington
Blcentennlal Commissions. the Amer
lcan Automobile Association and the
American Motorists Association.
Some residents Of tho 1oup,- aoI ~
the memorial highway, between Alex
andria and Mount Vernon, were rallying
to the support of the bus companies
proposal. Speaking for some of the
residents Of Fairfax County, George S.
Rice Of Wellington Villa, Va. on the
highway. contended today that denial
of the use of the highway to bus lines
would work hardship on some of the
residents along the road.
Compelled to Buy Autos.
Since the Mount Vernon Electric
Railway was destroyed in building the
highway" he said. many residents
have been compelled to purchase auto
mobiles to reach their business or stores
in Alexandria and Washington. But
even automobiles do not provide for
other members of families, including
children going to school and others
who cannot drive. The number Of
buses needed for these residents would
be insignificant as compared with the
numerous tourist buses"
He said residents along the highway
did not favor turning over the highway
to long distance commercial buses and
were not interested in giving the local
transportation work to any particular
company.