Evening star., 1936-01-03
MUNICIPAL GARAGE
PLANS DENOUNCED
AS "COMMUN|ST|C"
Capital Transit Stockholder
Says 1t Would Be death
Blow" to Company.
PLEAS MADE TO GUARD
RIGHTS OF OWNERS
Both Sides Present Strong Views
at Hearing Before Public
Utilities Commission.

Denouncing as a "Communistic
policy" proposals to construct mu-
nicipal garages for private parking,
Mrs. Gardner P. Orme, a Capital
Transit Co. Stockholder, today told the
Public Utilities Commission that es-
tablishment of such facilities would
deal a death blow" to the mass
transportation system.
Leveling frequent sharp glances at
Peoples Counsel William A. Roberts,
principal champion of the garage
plan, Mrs. Orne praised Commis-
sion Chairman Riley E. Elgin for his
"conscientious" decision not to sponsor
the proposal.
Today's hearing on street car and
bus service also was marked by pleas
of two other stockholding interests
that the commission consider the
rights of the company owners, as well
as those of the public and the COM
pany employees.
Higher Fares Urged.
Company officials should come be-
fore the commission with requests for
an increase in fares, Thomas j. D.
Fuller, 2317 Ashmead place, declared.
Il criticize the management of the
company for not being more aggressive
in protecting the interests of the stock
holders" he added.
Maj. Gen. John A. Johnston, U. S. A,
retired, a former District Commits
Sioner, appeared as the representative
of the John Dixon Home, pleading
that the commission give due con-
sideration to the rights Of stockholders
and not let actions for the benefit Of
either the public or the employees have
unfair repercussionS on the owners Of
the company.
Gen. Johnston explained the Dixon
Home holds 1000 shares in the COM
pany, and because of drastic cuts in
dividend payments on this and other
stock holdings, now was able to care
for but l8 dependent elderly District
residents at the institution, whereas
its capacity is So
Mrs. Orme declared the garage plan
would not cure the traffic problem be-
cause it would bring more cars into
the downtown section.
"A garage that would house $4,000
cars a day, carrying an average Of
four persons to a car, totaling $4,000
persons, many Of whom now use the
transit lines for travel. is just too
large a morsel to swallow" she de-
clared.
IF that is what my Government is
thinking of doing TO NEWLY, ] defy
such a Government. and will give
the last drop of blood within my
veins to argue against such an unjust
cause. refuse to submit to this
miserable, scheming mire of socialistic
policies. 4" a"
1T would be going directly into
Communistic, Socialistic policies with
which private business could not
afford to compete. The property cwn-
er would be dealt a slugging, deathly
blow as we'll ."
She urged that Congress pass law
to clear the streets and parks of
parked cars.
Roberts made no comment on her
statement.
Finds Greater Economy.
Fuller, emphasizing he had not con-
suited with the company about his
appearance, declared he found it more
economical, both in time and money,
to use mass transportation. THE
service Of the Capital Transit Co. must
be generally satisfactory or there-
would not have been the increase in
patronage that occurred in the past
two years. he said.
He protested that stockholders have
suffered especially in the past two
years, while the company was SPEND
ing funds out of net earnings and
surplus for new equipment and other
improvements. In the past two years
the company has paid only single
! per cent dividend, he added.
A. Adelbert Lee, 1886 @ street SOUTH
east, appearing as spokeSmen for the
Randle Highlands Citizens ASsocia-
ton, urged the company to provide a
permanent terminal for street car and
bus lines near Barney Circle, Seven
teenth street and Pennsylvania avenue
southeast.
He also protested "death trap" has
been created at Eighth street and
Pennsylvania avenue southeast, where
temporary connection has been
established during street car rail re-
building for the shuttle bus operating
from there to Barney Circle. He sug-
gested the bus stop be moved closer to
Seventh street southeast.