Evening star., 1936-05-24

short-sighted in view of the growth OF
ticipated in the next 10 or Is years.
Roberts became so interested in the
possibilities of subways as ng-range
solution for the mass transportation
problem that he engaged Col. c. E.
Myers. Philadelphia subway engineer.
to make a preliminary study of the
practicability of subway construction
here
Col. Myers report, which was sent
to the Engineer Commissioner for the
District, stated the conclusion that
subway construction for use of street
cars is Immediately necessary as by
pass for congested traffic conditions in
downtown Washington.
Cost Is Not Estimated.
This report did not set forth any
estimate of the cost of such construc-
ton, but Roberts has said he believes
subways of the type he advocates
could be built for about sl5,000,00o.
All authorities agree that the crux
of the problem is getting the riding
public in and out of the congested
district during the rush hours. This
problem is made acute by the con-
centration of Federal Government &C
tivities and local business in q rela-
lively small area, the lack of sufficient
through streets and the traffic bottle
necks created by the manner in which
main traffic arteries converge on the
outer edge of the congested zone.
Col. Myers report shows there has
been an estimated increase of more
than $4,000 in the Districts popula-
ton during the last five years and
that the normal increase per decade
has been roughly $4,000. His figures
show that regardless of the fluctua-
tions in Government activities during
the past 40 years, substantial growth
of population has been maintained
and probably will continue.
Despite the inroads made on street
railway traffic by private cars, taxi
cabs, etc, Col. Myers pointed out that
in most Of the larger cities, where
passenger traffic and central conges-
ton are heavy, the rail lines, includ-
ing rapid transit lines. remain the
backbone of the transportation sys-
tenn, even though buses and other
forms of automobile travel supple
ment them.
Rail Facilities Required.
Regardless of the vast development
in bus travel" he said, Il believe it Is
fact that large majority of trans
portation engineers. who have given
serious study to this subject. are con-
vinced that the present development
of the gasoline vehicle is inadequate
to entirely replace the local rail facili-
ties in cities having dense passenger
traffic and congested central dis
tricts"
A recent survey by the Public Utili-
ties Commission indicated that the
nine trunk lines operating on Penn
sylvania avenue and F street carry a
maximum-hour passenger load of 7,40O
passengers and an average hourly
load during the base period of the
day of about 1.700 passengers In the
maximum direction.
Service operated on these routes
past the points where the loads were
observed totaled approximately l47
cars in the maximum hour and aver
age about rs cars per hour in the base
period. These figures indicate that
the rush-hour passenger trafiic on the
car lines Is about 435 times that of
the average base hour.
After studying these figures and
the physical problems involved, Col.
Myer said:
"All indications are to the effect
that the type of subway adaptable to
the situation in Washington in its
present stage of development Is the
surface-car type of subway.
Needs Of Future Cited,
However. it is, of course, necessary
to keep in mind the possible needs
OF the more distant future, when the
city shall have developed to the point
where longer lines Of the high-speed
type may be necessary. Therefore, an
initial surface-car subway system
should be adaptable to conversion into
high-speed subway plan If and
when necessary"
The report pointed out that surface
car subways with single car operation
have carrying capacity ranging from
$4,000 to $4,000 passengers past the
maximum load point in the maximum
hour. This, of course, can be con-
siderably increased by operating sur.
face cars In two-car trains.
The plan worked out by Col. Myers,
which conforms to proposals ad-
vanced by Roberts, would provide SUBJ
ways to bypass the congested traffic
throats in the central district and
provide ample terminal capacities
for loading. unloading and operation
through this area for as many i'm
portant trunk railway routes as could
be diverted to 1t with benefit to the
trafiic.
Col. Myers proposes two short nofth-
south surface-car subways on -Four