Evening star., 1932-07-15
Pleads for Bus Service
On Memorial Highway

To the Editor OF Ine star
l observe that those who are opposing
bus service on the Mount Vernon High
way base their objection upon a false
premise. They oppose "commercialis-
ing" the great drive. Everybody would
be in opposition If that were the propo-
sit!on. If 1t were proposed to have the
busses of numberless competing lines
fighting for place and endangering
lives" there could be but one answer.
But this is not the proposition. The
hundreds who have homes on the high
way ask only for a bus line giving
orderly service in return for the splen-
did electric service they had at the time
the Government caused the line to be
abandoned. Undoubtedly it was the
purpose to provide this, up to a short
time ago; the new highway was widened
at practically every point where sta
ton had been maintained by the cleo
trio line, and small stations were built :.
all this expense was in contemplation
of bus service; there could have been no
other purpose; and these stations do not
detract from. but add to, the artistic
beauty of the highway.
1t Is said that the commuters can use
the buses they are now using. which
run over country roads, in getting to
and from Alexandria and Washington.
Except for the small settlement near
the golf course, where all are owners of
automobile the busses as now routed
run over a comparatively homeless, un-
country road. The many
who reside on the highway must travel
over bad roads, from half mile to a
mile, and then wait, without protection
from storms or cold, until the bus comes
along If bus service is not put on the
highway the many who do not have and
cannot afford, automobiles will not be
able to enjoy the beauty and have the
convenience Of the great drive unless
they "hitch- hike" which is against the
law in Virginia.
The highway runs near my home, and
I have good opportunity to observe the
traffic Probably 8 out of 10 of those
who go over it are Washingtonians cut
for pleasure and to enjoy the grand
views which the drive affords, and the
number will never grow less. This Is
as it should be and no one objects. But.
also, there are joyriders, some sober,
some not. and these constitute greater
menace to safety every hour of the day
and night than would the running of a
bus hourly by responsible company.
Washingtonians will get a hundred fold
mere use and pleasure from the highway
than any other people in the land, and
they, in fairness. should not object to
their rural neighbors having the con-
venience of properly regulated bus
service.
1t is well enough to give proper at
tention 10 art. and certainly the public
safety should be guarded. The operation
Of bus service w>2uld not detract from
the former nor endGnger the latter.
What We wish to make plain is that
the people along the highway ask only
for well ordered bus service which will
permit them to enjoy the highway, send
their children to school and at the same
time enable them to carry on their jobs
"a very necessary part of the scheme
of parental life in these trying days.
There will be gradual development in
home-building along the highway, and
the question OF transportation will press
stronger and stronger until it is settled
right One bus an hour will not cause
congestion nor endanger pleasure traffic
Every day fleet of busseS, often 8 or
10 In line. is run over the highway
carrying Sight-seers Certainly one more
bus, carrying the people who live along
the drive, will not matter These people
ask only that they have equal privilege
with the citizens CT other parts, most
reasonable request when it is considered
that the building of the highway de-
prlved them of good transportation
transportation which they had enjoyed
for years before the highway was
thought of and which was the great in
ducement for building homes in that
section. JOHN BRIAR.