Evening star., 1937-12-26
SUBWAY TRAINS
SEEN IN 10 YEARS
Advocates of Rapid Transit
Feel System Is Essen.
tiaI in D. c.
BY JOHN H. Cassidy, Jr.

BY JOHN II. Cassidy, Jr.
Ten years from now Christmas
shoppers in Washington may be rush
ing home with Aunt Emma's and
Juniors gifts in speedy subway
trains instead Of street cars and
buses.
That at least Is strong possibility
in the minds Of those who feel th1t,
because the city Is growing so rapidly
and the Federal triangle and busi-
ness sections are becoming more and
more congested. some new form OF
public transportation will have to be
devised.
One Of the leading supporters of
the proposed plan to have an official
study on the need and feasibility of a
subway system In the Capital is the
Committee on Public Utilities and
Transportation of the Board of Trade.
Just about year ago a special
committee headed by John ]. Esch,
chairman OF the Utilities and Trans
portation Committee, submitted a
comprehensive report reviewing the
costs and difficulties of underground
railway systems in other cities and
recommending that Congress appro-
pirate funds for an investigation of
the subway question here.
Permanent Group Formed.
The report, which later was ap-
proved by the Board of Trade, led to
the organization OF a standing SUBJ
committee on Subways of the Public
Utilities and Transportation unit.
This subcommittee now is headed by
Maj. S. D. Ashford.
One Of the principal objections by
the Public Utilities Commission to
present construction of subways Is
the expense involved and the be-
lief that such expenditure could not
be met under existing conditions, since
the District is too dependent on Con-
gress for its budget allowances, the
report pointed out. 1t added, how
ever, that where the public need and
demand are great. lack Of immediate
funds does not Justify delay
Calling attention to the fact that
New York, Boston and Philadelphia
built their subways largely through a
loan on their credit, the report said:
while it is true they have not as
yet been able to receive full return
IN dollars and cents upon their IN
vestment. they have enjoyed the bene-
hts Of rapid mass transportation of
inestimable value. The time saved,
the reduction in noise and congestion
and the increase in property and tax
assessment valuations would 60 long
way toward reimbursement OF the cost
Of construction.
Would Provide Jobs.
''The Federal Government is largely
responsible for the congestion, due to
Its concentration Of office and other
buildings in the triangle and rectangle.
It, therefore, should bear the larger
share Of the subway financing. It
could do this after the manner pursued
in many other cities of liberal loan
and grant under w. P. A., thus giving
employment to many now on relief as
10 per cent Of the cost would go to
labor.
THE District could be authorized by
Congress to secure loan for its proper
share and could further enact legisla-
ton, II necessary, permitting its taxing
authorities to levy assessment benefits
upon property abutting and immedi-
ately adjacent to the proposed subway.
In the last analysis, Congress holds
the key to the solution of the subway
problem. The first step, therefore, is
to secure an appropriation to employ
the necessary traffic and engineering
skill to make thorough study Of our
traffic situation and submit recommen-
dations based upon such study, these
recommendations to be the guide for
future action"
Mr.. Esch's committee pointed out
that, while the growth of the United
States population as whole increased
only 5la per cent during the last six
years, Washington's increased 80 per
cent. It declared there is an ever-in-
creasing demand for better y, and
speedier mass transportation facilities.
Autos Seen Delay Cause.
With program Of ever-increasing
restrictions on parking space In the
downtown streets and avenues and
high prices for private parking space,
the private automobile does not re-
Ieve. but adds to the congestion by
slowing up the movement Of street
cars an dbuses, the committee felt.
The Committee on Public Utilities
and Transportation was formed when
the Board Of trade was organized in
1889. At first 1t dealt simply with
transportation and traffic matters, but
later the Traffic Committee was
formed, and in 1919, public utility
affairs were, added to Mr.. Esch's
committee.
Mr.. Esch, who was United States
Representative from Wisconsin from
1899 to 1921 and formerly served with
the Interstate Commerce Commission,
has been chairman Of this board COM
nittee for several years.
Fought for Mergers.
The committees record shows that
It recommended the merger, subse-
quently brought about, Of the Wash
ington and Georgetown Gas Light
Cos. and the merger Of the three
public transportation firms-the Capt.
tai Traction, Washington Railway g.
Electric and Washington Rapid
Transit Cos.
The committee has reviewed the
recent token fare increase ordered by
the Public Utilities Commission and it
Is expected that its attitude concern
ing this action will be made known
in the near future. The committee Is
Of the opinion that, even with the
fare increase the Capital Transit Co. is
not getting q fair return on its in
vestment.
Besides the subcommittee on sub
ways, there are four other subcom-
mittees actively engaged in the work
Of the committee. They are telegraph
and telephone, headed by A. M O.
Armstrong; buses, trucks and trac-
ton lines, headed by Henry J. saun-
ders; legislation. Raymond g. Bre-