Evening star., 1936-07-09
BUS REROUT|NG
CASE IS WEIGHED
Utilities Body Studies Evil
dence Presented at Six.
Hour Hearing.

The fate Of the Monroe street north
east bus line, under fire from resi-
dents from Twelfth to Twenty-second
street, for the second time is in the
hands of the Public Utilities Commis-
sion for decision
The commission heard testimony
for six and q half hours yesterday
without halting for lunch to conclude
the case in single day.
Until shortly before the conclusion
it had been a listleSs session, but when
the Capital Transit Co. offered the re-
suit Of poll Of patrons of the line as
to the route preferred, there was an
immediate series of objections and
counter objections between William A.
Roberts, peoples counsel, and z. D.
Merrill, general manager of the COM
pany.
Want Buses Rerouted.
Residents of Monroe street asked
that all west-bound buses be routed
on some other street. Represented
principally by E. G. Sievers, 2l21 Mon
roe street northeast. two-way bus
traffic there was described as "the
straw that broke the camel's back, "
ia view of other normal traffic. They
are willing to have the busses go east
on the street, but they want the re-
turn line routed over some other
street; Newton, Lawrence, Otis and
Kearney were all suggested.
Residents of Newton street. how
ever, presented a petition signed by
rs property owners and had three wit
neSSes to appear to object to placing
the bus line there. Wilbur S. Finch
chief spokesman for Newton street
called on Roberts, who acted as coun-
sci for the Monroe street faction, also
to act as counsel for the Newton street
property owners.
Stresses Danger to Children.
Finch stressed the danger to chill
dren who use the playground at the
John Burroughs School as one of the
main reasons for keeping the buses
off Newton street.
Suggestions were made that the bus
service on Rhode Island avenue north
east be increased with feeder lines run
ming of Rhode Island on skip" streets
to serve the territory involved.
william B. Bennett. assistant to ths
president of the Capital Transit Co.
presented the poll that brought the
only excitement of the day. Cards
were given passengers of the bus line
on Tuesday. asking three questions
OF 3l2 cards distributed, 1S9 preferred
maintenance of the two-way line or
Monroe street, Iii preferred change
and had no preference or failed te
answer.
One hundred twenty-five preferred
Newton street over Lawrence street
If q change is made"
To the question, "In case of change
what should be the direction of opera
ton of Monroe street," 1873 preferred
eastbound and LOT favored westbound
Object to Poll.
Roberts and Sievers both objected
to consideration of the poll, but the
company held that it was merely ar
attempt to get the attitude of its
patrons and it was admitted by Rich
mond B. Keech, acting chairman.
Lawrence street was not represented
at the hearing, nor was Otis or
Kearney.
The transit company suggested that
Kearney street might be preferable a
an alternate route, "if q change Il
necessary" The company, however
cited nine reasons to retain the two
way operation as it is, the chief Of
which is the convenience to the COM
pany in supervision.
One of the strongest objections to
the two-way line was made by Jesse
M. Jameson, president of the District
Fire Fighters Associations, who Is sta
tic,1ed at No. II Engine Co. on Mon
roe street. The busses, he said, have
caused such congestion at times that
fire equipment has had to take other
less convenient routes to answer
alarms.
The commission in March denied q
similar petition from the Monroe street
residents.