Evening star., 1941-02-14
Citizens 5pokesmen
Resume Debate Over
Cross-Town Bus Today
Dissension Over Route
Becomes Fiery at
Commission Hearing

and business organizations were
scheduled to resume debate at 1:30
pm. today before the Public Utili-
ties Commission on the best route
to be followed if the commission
finds reason to order establishment
of a cross-town bus line which
would provide public transportation
across Rock Greek Park between
Northeast and Northwest sections.
One of the first principal wit
nesses scheduled to be heard today
was Harry Bortin, a consulting en-
gineer, who, it was said. has made a
comprehensive study of the whole
situation" He is to appear as
witness for Nathan M. Lubar of the
Steering Committee of citizens as
sociations favoring adoption of the
Military road route.
Tempers were strained bit at
yesterdays long hearing on the sub
ject. during which suggestion was
made that if the transit company
will not provide the croSs-town bus
line private organizations might
to do so and during which
one participant charged that one
witness was lying"
Wender Gives Federation Views.
The position of the Federation Of
Citizens Associations was detailed
by Harry S. Wender, the associa-
tons vice president, who declared
that his group felt washington is
entitled to this cross-town bus serv-
ice. whether or no the company
likes it." He added that the Fed
Grafton had not voiced for either
the Military road or the Porter
road-Park road routes.
I'VE felt that was the job OF the
commission, to determine from the
facts in the case what was the best
route he said. PERSONALLY, be-
lieve that either or both routes
would be desirable. but the main
point I am making is that the
Federation was unanimous in de-
that a cross-town line be
established"
S. R. Bowen. counsel for the tran
sit company. reminded Mr.. Wender
that under the law the commission
NAV order an extension of service
when it will be compensatory with
in a reasonable time" He demand
ed to know whether Mr.. Wender
would favor a croSS-toWn bus line
if it meant that the "short-haul"
rider on other lines should be bur-
dened with the extra cost of an un-
profitable extension"
Mr.. Wender retorted that Mr..
Bowen apparently was basing his
argument on premise which Mr..
Wender could not accept.
At the conclusion of the testi-
nonv of Mr.. Lubars special wit
ness this afternoon. Louis I. Obergh,
counsel for the Federation of Busi-
nessmen's Associations. which is de-
the Porter street-Kllngle
road-Park road route, plans to pre-
sent a half dozen more witnesses.
Company Sees Neither as Profitable.
The transit company has indicated
it feels that neither the two major
routes will prove profitable
"at this time" but that 1t would
prefer the lower route as the least
costly to the company. if the COM
mission orders one established. The
has been advised by
Highway Director H. C. Whitehurst
that the Klingle Road Bridge over
Rock Creek should not be permit
ted to carry a load of more than
1000 pounds. that after plans and
funds for a replacement had been
it likely would take 9 or
10 months to build a new bridge
there.
At one point during yesterdays
debate Thomas Regan of the Con-
duit Road Citizens Association de-
manded an answer to whether the
would permit a private
to give us the cross
town bus we demand if the COM
pany refused TO do it itself. Com
pany Counsel Bowen wanted to
know whether the witness would in
vest his funds in such a venture
but Commissioner Chairman Riley
E. Elgen suggested that the debate
be taken back to the point in ques-
ton"
Godfrey L. Munter, president of
the Chevy Chase Citizens Associa-
ton. told the commission his group,
which he said has 1000 members,
favored the Military road route.
When Mr.. Bowen wanted to know
how many of the membership were
present when this action was taken,
Mr.. Munter retorted: Ten times as
many as attend your stockholders
Mr.. Munter said about