Evening star., 1941-10-26
Farley Called
On Conlnluter
Rail Service
Whitehurst to Meet
Officials Friday
On Proposed Plan

Capt. H. C. Whitehurst, director
of highways, made arrangements
yesterday for a conference with rail-
road officials to discuss proposals for
speedy railway commuter service
for Government employees and 9TH
ers who live in nearby Maryland and
Virginia and work in the District.
The Pennsylvania, Baltimore and
Ohio, and Richmond. Fredericksburg
and Potomac railroads will have rep
resentatives at the conference to be
held in Capt. Whitehurst's Office in
the District Building at IL am.
Friday.
Meanwhile, a special Senate sub
committee headed by Senator Bur-
ton, Republican of Ohio. completed
plans for series of public hearings
this week on the acute traffic situa-
ton in general and the House-ap-
proved bill providing for an in
crease from two to four cents in the
local gasoline tax in particular.
These hearings will be held Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday.
Officials to Testify.
The Commissioners and Capt.
Whitehurst are scheduled to be the
witnesses at the first hearing, which
will be devoted largely to dis
cussion of the proposed projects
listed in the long range $4,000. 900
highway improvement progra
which these officials believe should
be given priority. representatives
Of trade, motor and civic organiZa-
tiOns. who have views on the traffic
situation, will testify at subsequent
hearings.
Whether a 2-cent boost in the
gas tax is needed at this time to
start the comprehensive program of
highway Improvements is a ques-
ton the subcommittee plans to dig
into thoroughly. 1t is estimated
the 2-cent increase would raise an
additional $4,000 900 a year in gaso-
line tax revenues, and Senator Bur-
ton is said to be wondering if enough
projects could be undertaken in a
l2-month period requiring the ex-
penditure Of such a sum.
Although the Commissioners orig
inally recommended a 2-cent raise
to help finance the s440O0,OOO pro-
gram, Capt. Whitehurst said he is
not going to make a plea for a Jump
Of that amount.
Il am going to present the facts
as to what our needs are and what
both a 1-cent and a 2-cent increase
will do, and let the subcommittee
take its choice" ne declared.
Municipal Parking Lots.
In addition to the gas tax bill,
the subcommittee has before it a
bill authorizing establishment of
municipality owned automobile park
ing lots bordering the central busi-
ness area. A House subcommittee
already has held hearings on an
identical measure and is preparing
to recommend its approval by Con-
gresS.
No definite sites have been Sc
lected for the so-called fringe park
ing lots, according to Capt White
hurst. He said. however, it is
planned to locate them at con-
venient" points on all sides of the
congested district Undoubtedly, he
pointed out many of the lots will
be in the southwest section in the
vicinity of the Government build
ings flanking the Mall.
Absence of Chairman Schultz OF
the House subcommittee which re-
Gently completed a survey of the
traffic situation, has prevented COM
pletion of final report for the full
District Committee. II is now un-
likely the report will be ready for
the committees consideration until
its weekly meeting November 3
Major recommendation to be in
cluded in the report. however. were
disclosed by Representative Schultz
week%ago.
One of the recommendation urged
the Commissioners to seek a con-
ference with officials of railroads
entering the District to find out
whether the proposed interurban
commuter service could be estab-
ished. Following this up, the Com
missioners directed Capt. White
hurst to arrange for the conference
which has been scheduled for Fri
day.
Invitations to Railroads.
Invitations to the railroads re-
quested them to send representa-
tives with authority to speak. The
railroads also were asked to send
any factual data in their possession
showing whether commuter service
would be profitable, and whether the
District terminals could be located
at various points along the existing
right of way below the surface OF
Virginia avenue S.W.. for the con.
venience Of Federal employees work
ing in buildings in the Mall area.
Suggestions have been made that
the main commuteI terminal be To-
Gated at Fourteenth street and
Maine avenue S.W., which is in the
immediate vicinity of the Bureau OF
Engraving and Printing and the
Department of Agriculture.
Capt. Whitehurst said he specific
ally asked the B. & o. to report on
the practicability of using its freight
belt line running from Georgetown
into Montgomery County, Md. as a
link in the proposed commuter
service.
B. & o. officials told The Star sew
eral weeks ago that before the belt
line could be used by fast passenger
trains the right OF way would have
to be double tracked and existing
rails replaced-a project involving a
cost that would be virtually pro-
hibitive.