Evening star., 1937-12-02
TRANSIT INQUIRY
|STOBE RESUMED
EAR[Y|NjA JANUARY
Randolph M axes Definite
Plans to Resume 1t First
Week in That Month.
HOLDING FIRM ALSO !
TO BE INVESTIGATED
Dirksen Receives Protest by It.
torney Against Bus
Fumes.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

BY JAMES E. CHINN.
Definite plans were made today to
resume the Congressional investiga-
ton of the Capital Transit Co. the
first week in January.
Representative Randolph, Demo-
crat, of West Virginia, chairman of
the investigating committee, said by
that time it would be possible to re-
new the inquiry without having it
conflict with other activities of the
members.
Meantime, Representative Dirksen,
Republican, of Illinois, whose moves
at the last session of Congress to
abolish one-man car operations and
fix the maximum rate of bus and rail
fares at cents led to the investiga-
ton, intends to complete a study of
mass Of data relating to the transit
company recently turned over to him
by the Public Utilities Commission.
DR.. Dirksen said the inquiry will
cover not only rates of fare and one
man car operations, but will concern
the financial structure Of the transit
company as we'll as the North Ameri-
can Co. O. New York which con-
trolls it.
The inquiry was started last July.
but was abruptly halted shortly after
ward because of the rush for ad.
journment of Congress. E. D. Mer.
rill, president Of the transit company,
and William A. Roberts, former peo-
pies counsel, were the principal wit
nesses. Both are expected to be re-
called when the investigation is re-
opened. 80
Before the inquiry is resumed,
Chairman Randolph said he planned
to make a thorough study of recent
developments in the mass transporta-
ton situation in the District, espe-
cially the action of the Public Utili-
ties Commission in increasing token
fares to six for so cents. He already
has assembled for future reference
the series of IL articles on the transit
situation which recently appeared in
| The Star.
While declining to comment on pro-
posals for public ownership and op-
Grafton of the transit lines, Mr.. Ran.
dolph pointed out that about 18
months ago, employees of the transit
company in Wheeling, w. Va, bought
the nearly bankrupt concern and are
now operating it at a profit and pro.
viding improved service.
The transit investigating commit.
tee is composed of Mr.. Randolph. Mr..
Dirksen. and Representative Arnold,
Democrat, of Illinois.
| Meanwhile a protest against gas
fumes in buses of the Capital Transit
Co. was filed with Mr.. Dirksen by
Robert E. Acorn, Washington attorney
Mr.. Dirksen received the complaint
when Mr. Acorn said he had been
"sidetracked" by the Public Utilities
Commission.
Mr.. Acorn explained he asked the
commission November II for an op-
portunity to present his protest, and
was advised to communicate with
Fred A. Sager, chief engineer.
ut is quite evident that this is
merely means of sidetracking me-"
he told Mr.. Dirksen. IF Mr.. Sager
were going to make any recommended
tions to the commission, he would
have done so before now. If he de-
nies that deplorable condition ex-
lists in most of these buses, then he,
together with the commission, must
have closed his eyes-and nose-to a
situation that every rider OF these
buses knows to be a fact"
| MIR. Acorn called particular atten-
ton to the condition on the Connecti-
cut Avenue buses, which he said, are
regarded as the best in the transit
service. IF this is the case" he de-
clared, my sympathy goes out to
those who have to ride the Others"
''The sight of a half-dozen or more
persons in the rear of a bus with
closed eyes, and apparently asleep"
Mr.. Acorn added, SIS too common to
admit of denial by anyone. I believe
that every person who has ridden
these buse. has had burning feel
ing Of the eyes. Often, one may see
people changing their seats, always
moving forward. AS one bus driver
remarked to me: You only have to
ride them a half hour or so, am on
them eight hours day."
Mr.. Acorn suggested the condition
might be remedied by connecting q
pipe to the exhaust of each bus and
run it about foot above the roof
as was done on buses of the Alexan-
dria, Bancroft and Washington line
"The time will come" ne predicted,
when exhe;s.:,ts on all automobiles
will be placs ~ in the middle of the
roof where they belong"