Evening star., 1941-11-13
U. 5. Obligated
For New Streets,
Committee Told
Government Should
Poy l9 Millions,
Witness Says

ects in the $44,000000 Whitehurst
highway engineering program are
definitely" Federal obligation
Baxter Smith, chairman of the
Safety Committee of the Federation
OF Citizens Associations, today told
a special Senate subcommittee
studying the city's traffic problems
Mr.. Smith, who testified last week
returned to the stand to make a
supplemental statement.
Among the projects he included in
the Federal obligation were the pro-
posed South Capitol street bridge,
estimated to cost 81 900 900: a bridge
across the Potomac from AleXan-
dria, S9,500.000: extension of Inde-
pendence avenue to Lincoln Memo
rial, S2,000,000, and widening of sew
eral other streets, 81 100000, making
a total of Sl8.875 900
The Federation spokesman said
his group believes an increase in the
gasoline tax is not justified, eSpe-
ciallv at this time when conditions
are such that pushing conStruc-
ton program of the magnitude of
the WhitehurSt plan will conflict
in many ways with far more i'm
portant national problems
Urges Lower Car Fares.
He added that the Federal ton feels
the gasoline tax in the States has
no bearing on the rate District
motorists should pay.
A suggestion that the Subcom-
mittee explore the possibilities of
lower streetcar and bus fares to dis
courage" the use of automobiles was
made by Sidney R. katz. secretary
of the C. I. O.'s Marvland-District
Industrial Union Council.
That's an interesting suggestion. y
remarked Chairman Burton, but
prices and labor costs going up?"
The answer is in the financial
reports of the Capital Transit Co,
the witness replied.
Mr.. Katz indorsed the plan for
municipality owned parking lots. and
urged that serious consideration be
given to proposals for a railroad
commuter service for nearby Mary
land and Virginia residents.
The proposed increase in the
gasoline tax, he said. is unnecessary
since only highway projects directly
related to national defense should
be carried out during the emergency
Zack Spratt. 2205 K street NV,
urged approval of the 2-cent gasoline
tax and fringe parking lot bills,
and incidentally criticized those civic
and trade organizations that oppose
higher taxes for highway improve
mentS. The lack of parity in the
gasoline tax in the District, Mary
land and Virginia, he argued, has
resulted in the loss of S1,000,000 a
year to each of these States with
the result they have been reluctant
to provide better highways leading
to the city.
FavOrs COmmuter Service.
Existing railroad tracks surround
Ing the District, Mr.. Spratt said
provide great possibilities" for de-
velopment of commuter rapid
transit service for people who live
In the suburbs.
The people of this city are able
to pay the cost of normal urban
life he declared. They do not
show good business judgment when
they oppose a reasonable tax in view
OF the dual source of revenue here
with which to finance this city. 1t
is only natural that your committee
will give much thought to petitions
OF the Washington Board of Trade
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tlons, the Merchants and Manufac-
turerS' Association and the Amer
lean Automobile Association. In
effect, these groups of the city's most
influential men petition you to post
pOne action.
Although the very life of their
city is being garroted by the past
Inertia of these civic bodies, they
still come to your committee asking
Tor further indulgence of their civic
incidence"
j. E. Spurney of KenSington, Md
outlined briefly a plan conceived bv
w. l.. F'leisher, national president of
the American Society of Heating
and Ventllaitng Engineers. for con-
structlon of a series of 10 combina-
tlon garages and bomb-proof shell
ters. These dual-purpose buildings.
he said, should be above ground. at
least six stories high, and the third
story especially designed for shelter
ing people in event of air raids, He
expressed belief the Federal or Dis
trlct governments should finance
the projects and lease them to pri-
vate operators.
Above Ground Shelters.
One plan for combination garages
and bomb-proOf shelters outlined to
the subcommittee several weeks ago
contemplated underground locations
Mr.. Spurney pointed out that the
experience of England during the
war has shown that above ground
shelters are far safer than those un-
dergrounds, which he said are
susceptible to flooding. ruptured gas
mains and gas attacks.
Erection of public garages along
the Mall from the Capitol to the
Washington Monument, was advo-
Gated by Samuel Lovenbein, for
mer operator of the Municipal Cen
ter parking lot. He said such ga
RACES, constructed at low cost, would
be a profitable venture with rates as
low as IS cents day, or 81 month
Condemning the Whitehurst pro-
gram as a scheme for squandering
the taxpayers money, Alfred D.
Calvert, president of the Lincoln
Park Citizens Association, told the
subcommittee the District needs a
highway system that would avoid
bottlenecks instead of fancy road
ways that multiply them"
Free Public Garages"
Mr.. Calvert said the scheme at
present seems to be Ito make the
highways of the District free pub
lie garage for the States of May
land and Virginia"
The Lincoln Park leader said his
association opposes the proposed q