Evening star., 1939-06-20
Foes Of Transit
Plan 10 Voice
Complaints
Hearing on Proposal
For Prince Georges
Resumes Tomorrow
BY JACK ALLEN,
Star Stan Correspondent.

BY JACK ALLEN,
Star Stan Correspondent.
BALTIMORE, June 2O.-Com-
muters will make their fight against
the Capital Transit Co.'S proposal
to reorganize bus and street car
service in Prince Georges County
when the Maryland Public Service
Commission resumes its hearings
on the plan tomorrow at II am.
Dean j. Locke, staff engineer for
the traction firm, who occupied the
witness stand during all but q few
minutes of the opening session yes
terday, Is to be recalled for COM
pletion of cross-exanination after
which opponents are to present their
case.
1t is expected that the hearing will
be brought to a close tomorrow
afternoon.
More than 80 persons representing
many citizens associations. munci-
pallties, women's clubs and other
organizations in Prince Georges are
involved in the proceeding and
many took leading part in the
4-hour cross-examination of Mr..
Locke, whose direct testimony re-
CURED slightly less than two hours.
More Efficiency Seen.
The grilling of the engineer BY
opponents opened after Mr.. Locke
told the commission his firm wants
to substitute feeder" bus and street.
car routes working out of the sub
urban terminal being built at Mount
Rainier for present direct service to
and from downtown Washington.
He said the plan word provide
more efficient service to patrons at
reduced cost to the company" and
that the changes are necessary "be-
cause of lack of patronage"
Service between College Park and
Laurel would be discontinued en-
tirely, while the present direct serv-
ice between East Riverdale and
Washington would be abandoned.
too A number of other adjustments
of less drastic nature also are con-
templated
1t was prougnt out on cross-eX-
animation of the witness that COM
muters in the Laurel area would be
required to patronize the B. e. o.
Railroad in travelling to and from
the Capital, or interstate bus COM
panies, providing they obtain per-
mission to pick up passengers in the
Laurel sector, a privilege they do
not have at the present time.
Peoples Counsel Joseph Sherbow
developed that some students at
tending Greenbelt High School will
be left without transportation.
Would Install New Cars.
Cross-examined by Owen T. Wyatt
OF the Berwyn District Civic As
soclation, the engineer admitted
that it would require slightly more
time in travelling between points
IN the county and in riding to and
from Washington if the changes
are approved by the commission.
Mr.. Locke stated. however. the
company is compelled to adopt a
plan that will provide efficient SER
vice for the larger number of per-
sons"
He said that the company plans to
compensate for the time lost bv
putting 20 new type street cars on
the Mount Rainier Washington
line to reduce the running time to
a minimum.
G. d. Anderson. secretary of the
Prince Georges Chamber of Com
merce, asked the witness if patrons
IN Cheverly and Bladensburg would
not have to travel into Mount
Rainier and then back to Hyatts-
vile to reach the latter community.
now only a short ride from their
homes
They will" Mr.. Locke admitted
He also said that patrons in the
college Park, Riverdale and East
Rlverdale sectors en- route to Hyatts-
vile would have to pass around
Hyattsville, go to Mount sRainie1
and catch shuttle" buses back to
Hyattsville through proposed re-
routings.
Reduced Service Proposed.
FRED w. Cast of the Cheverk
Citizens Association brought out
through questioning of Mr.. Locke
that the company proposes to oper-
ate buses to that community only
IN rush hours, cutting the num-
Der OF trips from lS to 10 a day.
1t was understood early yesterday
that the feeder" lines would be in
use only during rush hours, but SUBJ.
sequent testimony disclosed that the
feeder" lines would be in use in bus
service at all times, and that ONLY
rail service between the county and
Washington will be direct during
rush hours"
In of peak" hours both rail and
BUS patrons will be required to
change at the terminal.
Capt. r. T. w. Duke of the Rogers
Heights Citizens Association voiced
the belief that the company's pro-
posals would result in fare boosts
and questioned Mr. Locke on that
point.
Declares Earnings Meager.
Early yesterday Mr.. Locke said the
company's earnings have been SO
"meager" only one 81 per share divi-
dend has been declared since the
merger OF Washington street rail-
ways in 1888.
w. F. Mulligan of the Prince
Georges County Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations declared the COM
panys suburban terminal, which
Will be Is by IS feet, would be
inadequate to accommodate the
commuters who will have to use
1t II the company's plan is ap-
proved.