Evening star., 1932-12-09
citizens DEMAND
ENDING OF "CHAOS"
IN TRANSPORTATION
District Organizations Unite
in Plea for Action
by Congress.
utilities COMMISSION
POWER INCREASE ASKED
Co.ordinated Plan Urged as Solu-
ton and Banishment of Minor
Differences Sought.

Taking the stand that the trans
portation system here has reached such
q state of disorganization that con-
certed action looking toward solu-
tion is imperative, representatives Of
leading civic, trade and business or
Plantations yesterday adopted a reso-
luton calling for a co-ordinated plan
embracing sweeping changes in the field
of mass transportation.
The group, acting as a Joint Trans
portation Committee formed under the
leadership of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce, held the Districts trans
portation system "is bordering upon a
condition of chaos"
THE time has come" the committee
said, when Washington citizens should
Danish all minor differences and unite
their efforts in concerted drive to
3solve the present transportation mud
die in the District by developing a
o-ordinated transportation plan and
fighting for its adoption by the Con-
|gress."
Recommendations Made
l0dJOE VI IIlG COul-
mittee were adoption by Congress of
the bill to merge the mass transporta-
ton agencies of the Capital and ex-
tension Of the powers of the Public
Utilities Commission to include super
vision over taxicab operation to the
same extent that regulation is exer-
cised by them over other transporta-
tion utilities.
The full text of the resolution follows
Recent depression years, focusing
the limelight upon business maladjust-
nents, have clearly revealed the di-
1emma in which American cities have
been placed due to the absence of CO.
crdinated transportation planning which
has brought many of our transit agen-
cies to the verge of bankruptcy.
The public transportation system OF
The District of Columbia, caught in the
whirlwind of Nationwide tendencies,
today is bordering upon a condition OF
chaos, and lack of proper coordination
pf our several transportation mediums
Is threatening the continued existence
pf this vital part of cur city's essential
utility services.
Lack of Regulation.
Street car, motor bus, taxicab-the
three principal public transportation
utilities-operate today frequently in
direct, unregulated competition Nth no
adequate definition of, or allocation to-
1.-THE respective fields of operation best
fitted for each, while neither the sys-
Items themselves nor the Public Utilities
Commission has sufficient powers at the
present times to enforce the needed CO.
ordination
"The cost per passenger of rendering
transportation service to the public Is
L. t.sa 4LA hrn
are losing money and the future pros
pect is for still higher costs with the
ever r-present threat of economic break
down.
Most important of all is the protec-
ton of life and property from accidents
which cannot help but increase with the
inevitable growth of population and
street traffic congestion If transit dis
organization is permitted to continue In
future as in the past.
Faced by threatening conditions such
as these, affecting the public safety, pub
lie investments, transportation costs,
and the wages of large group of our
fellow citizens, it is our conviction, and
accordingly, we hereby formally resolve.
that the time has come when Washing
ton citizens should Danish all minor
differences and unite their efforts in a
concerted drive to solve the present
transportation muddle in the District
by developing co-ordinated transpor-
tation plan and fighting for its adoption
by the Congress, and that this plan
should provide:
"l. That legislation authorizing the
merger of mass transportation agencies
in Washington now pending before the
United States Senate be approved by
that body in order that at the earliest
practicable date Washington may have
| the benefits which will accrue from CO.
ordinated mass transportation faculties
in the District of Columbia.
"2. That the powers OF the PuoIlc
Utilities Commission be so extended as
to specifically include full supervision OF
that body over taXicab operation to the
same extent that regulation is now exer-
cised by them over mass transportation
agencies.
"And be it further resolved, That the
guiding principles of Washington's CO.
ordinated transportation plan must be
protection of the public welfare through
Regulation to prevent accidents; through
Improved service at reasonable cost anc
Through compulsory financial response
bility for indemnifcation, and that the
Congress of the United States is hereby
urgently petitioned to enact approprlaIe e
legislation to insure these benefits FOL
the people of Washington and for the
hundreds of thousands Of Americans
who come each year to visit their Ma
tional Capital"
Members Of Committee.
Thomas P. Littlepage, president oi
the Washington Chamber of Com
merce. presided at the meeting. Others
constituting the Joint Transportation
COMMITTEE include Joseph D. AShby
Typothetae of Washington; Col. A. B
Barber, Interfederation Conference;
George w. Beasley, Federation of Civic
associations; Ben T. Webster, presi-
dent of the Washington Board oi
Trade; Robert j. Cottrell secretary OF
the Board of Trade; Edwin F. Hill
Kiwanis Club; Mrs. Harriet Howe
Zonta Club; George M. Keneipp, chair
man of the Washington Chamber o.
Commerce Transportation Committee
Mark Lansburgh, president of the Mer'
chants and Manufacturers Association
w. H. McCsrty, Cosmopolitan Club
Miss Alma McCrum, Quota Club
J. A. McKeever, Reciprocity Club; DR.
Maurice L. Townsend, Civitan Club
Col. William o. Tufts, Federation o
Churches; Henry A. Willard, Optimists
Club, and r. w. Prince, Federation
of Churches.
Copies of the resolution will go Il
the boards of each organization repre-
sented for final Endorsement. 1t wa
emphasized those attending the meet
ing did so as individuals constituting
Citizens Committee and that tn
matter would have TO be acted upol
by their organizations.