Evening star., 1941-12-28

service would not pay, have formed
the basis of the transit company op-
position to the plan.
In 1888 a campaign for cross-town
service was launched which ended
in hearing before the Public
Utilities Commission but stalled
when the transit company esti-
mated the cost at Sl31 900 a year
TO operate the line as compared
with S64 900 for two other lines then
in operation in the area. Net result.
however was establishment of
line from Westmoreland Circle to
the Bureau of Standards-a possible
link to cross-town service later.
In 1899 a fruitless campaign was
pushed with the argument that
much downtown congestion would
be eliminated If the people could
cross farther out.
In November of 1910 the Friend
ship Citizens Association renewed
the battle and, other citizen groups
falling rapidly in line, another Pub
lie Utilities Commission hearing was
called last February.
Some indications of civic split
appeared few days in advance of
the hearing when efforts developed
to organize the citizens behind a
route crossing Rock Creek at Mill
tary road. The controversy broke
out in the hearing with Nathan M.
Lubar representing 81 associations
supporting the Military road route
and Louis l. Obergh representing
the Federation of BusineSsmen's
Associations and others backing a
Porter street and Klingle road route.
Bridge Called Inadequate.
Military road supporters said
Klngle Bridge was inadequate and
were backed by testimony of Capt.
H. c. Whitehurst, director of high
ways. Klingle crossing advocates
claimed their route would intersect
more downtown lines.
The Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations favored some sort OF cross
town service but did not recommend
any specific route.
S. r. Bowen, counsel for the
transit company, declared patron
age of neither route would justify
the service but indicated prefer
ence for the Klingle plan If one
was ordered, because of the thicker
population to be served.
AS the hearings drew to an end
the transit company through Dean
j. Locke, staff engineer of the
company, proposed substitute plan
contemplating linking the Bureau
| of Standards and Park road lines.
Mr.. Locke insisted the Klingle or
Military road plans would be any,
thing but a financial burden to the
company.
At this point the Utilities Com
mission had been cut to two men,
bers by resignation of Richmond
Keech to become corporation counsel
death of Chairman Riley Elgen left
the commission with no quorum.
The issue lay with numerous other
matters on the commission docket
during the wrangle over the nomina
ton of Gregory Hankin to succeed
Mr.. Elgen. Announcement of the
Klingle road crosstown bus was one
of Mr.. Hankins first official acts on
confirmation. With the designation
of J. H. Flanagan, supervising
analyst for the Securities Exchange
Commission, the commission is now
complete.
Military Road Second Choice.
While the Klingle road route has
been selected, Mr.. Hankin held out
the possibility of a second crosstown
bus via Military road at later date.
E. D. Merrill, president of the
transit company, indicated following
the issuance of the order that the
company would not oppose the route
selected. He expressed the hope that
25 small buses on order would arrive
in time to be used on the new line.
Small buses must be used because
of the condition of the Klingle Road
Bridge, 1t was stated.
The new line will run from West
moreland Circle down Massachusetts,
avenue, Yuma street, Thirty-eig
street, Veazey street, Reno road,
Porter street, Klingle road, Adams
Mill road, Irving street, Park place.
Michigan avenue and Monroe street
and Seventh street north to Mich
igan avenue.
On the return trip the route will
go westerly along Michigan avenue
and Columbia road to Warder street,
north to Irving and back along the
eastbound route reversed to West
moreland Circle.