Evening star., 1937-04-03
|HEAWD.C. TRAFFIC
CITED BY GIBSON,
PROPOSING SURVEY
Subway Feasibility Study
Urged Particularly in
Offering Resolution.
SENATE DISTRICT GROUP
WILL CONSIDER PROJECT
$25, 900 Appropriation and 5-Man
Commission Are Sought-Hear.
ings Planned.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

The volume of traffic in Washington
has reached a point justifying Con-
gress in having comprehensive study
made of the problem, especially tc
consider whether subways would be
feasible, Senator Gibson, Republican
of Vermont said today, commenting
on the resolution he introduced yes
terday to authorize a survey OF the
subject.
Il have thought for a long time
that the city is bound to come te
subWays, but I am not committed tc
any particular plan" Gibson said
"My purpose in offering the resolu.
ton was to open the way for a
thorough discussion Of the traffic
problem
Provides for 5-Man Board.
The resolution, which was referred
to the Senate District Committee fol
report, provides for a flve-man COM
mission, and authorizes a $4,000 ap.
preparation to cover the cost of the
survey.
The Engineer Commissioner OF the
District would be chairman, serving
without additional compensation. The
remaining four members would be ap.
pointed by the President, who would
fix their compensation.
The commission could employ ex.
perts and hold hearings. with power
to subpoena witnesses and records
The scope of the inquiry is indicated
by the direction given the commission
ito make a full and complete study
and investigation of traffic conditions
in the District, with particular view
to determining the feasibility of a sub.
way system in said District, and tt
make recommendations TO the Con.
gress with respect thereto" The CON-
missions report would be required
within one year.
Tourists Aggravate Traffic
Senator Gibson said he regards the
traffic problem as an important tne
because the large number of District
and nearby automobiles is augmented
daily by the hundreds of tourist cars
that pass through the Capital City.
The highway division of the Dis.
trict government recently has beer
studying plans for various changes
in street plans at congested points
including proposed underpasses at
some of the circles. These. it uas
pointed out, could be considered alons
| with other suggestions by the pro.
| posed commission.
Senator Gibson, although not 3
member Of the District Committee OF
the Senate, has in former years taker
deep interest in District affairs
While a member of the House he Was
active in the creation of the Park
and Planning Commission, in develop.
ing a f1ve-year school building pro.
gram and in survey of the District
government. Since coming to the
Senate he has advocate an airport fol
the National Capital.
Hazardous Cars Dynamited.
While the survey proposal was being
aired. the American Automobile AS.
sociation was demonstrating to traffic
and police officials how dynamite Il
the best remedy for the hazard createc
by mechanically defective machines.
In an isolated section of Rock CreeI
Park across the Maryland line thu
automobile club blew one Junk heap
to pieces with explosives and burned
five other cars.
Traffic Director William A. Var
Duzer, who was among the witnesses
said he could think of no better ust
for dynamite These cars we're &
menace to traffic-but they will no
harm any one now"
The demonstration was intended tt
call the public's attention to the dan.
gers of driving unsafe automobiles.