Evening star., 1941-11-02
Public Garage Plan
To Be Studied by
Senate Committee
Type Proposed Could
Be Used as Bomb
Shelter in Emergency
By JAMES E. OHM.

The special Senate subcommittee
studying the Districts traffic prob
lens will turn its attention this week
to a plan for erection of a series OF
oval-shaped public garages that
would serve as bombproof shelters in
event the city is ever attacked from
the air
The dual purpose garages are the
Idea of Michael Rosenhauer, an
architect, who has been called by
the subcommittee as the first wit
ness Tuesday when it resumes hear
ings on bills authorizing establish
ment of municipality owned parking
lots on the fringe of the central
business area, and providing for an
increase from 2 to cents in the local
gasoline tax.
Capt. H. C. Whitehurst, director
of highways, who has seen blueprints
of Mr.. Rosenhauer's plans, describes
them as ingenious and cleverly
worked out"
The garages would be constructed
of reinforced concrete with ramps
to every floor. The inner shell, Capt.
Whitehurst explained, would be de-
signed for human habitation in an
emergency.
Bus Parking to Be Studied.
One of the unusual features of
the proposed garages, according to
Capt. Whitehurst, is that they could
be expanded to any length or height
Mr.. Rosenhauer is fellow of the
Royal Academy of Architects and
practiced in London, Paris. Vienna
and other European cities before
coming to the United States.
Aside from reviewing Mr.. Rosen-
hauer's plans, the subcommittee,
1t was announced, will consider con-
tributions that the mass transpor-
tation companies can make toward
relief OF traffic congestion. One
proposal is that interurban buses
either rearrange schedules to avoid
layover periods or find off street
parking facilities.
Representatives of the tranSpor-
tation companies are scheduled to
appear before the subcommittee
Wednesday. The subject of off
street terminals will be discussed at
that time with officials of the Arl-
ington, Bancroft and Washington,
Maryland-V Virginia and Arlington
Fairfax motor coach companies.
E. D. Merrill, president of the
Capitol Transit Co.. who also is
scheduled to testify Wednesday, has
been requested by R. F. Camalier,
aide to the Senate District Com
mittee who is arranging the agenda
for the hearings, to bring with him
several veteran streetcar and bus
operators to tell from personal ex-
perience the causes of traffic tie-ups.
Planning Officials to Testify.
Following Mr.. Rosenhauer on the
witness stand Tuesday will be Off
cials of the National Capital, Mary
land and Virginia Park and Plan
ming Commissions. The subcom-
mlttee, Mr.. Camalier said, hopes
to learn from their testimony steps
taken to coordinate traffic activi-
ties in Arlington and Montgomery
Counties with those in the District
With the subcommittee prepared
to start its second week of hear
ings. District officials are awaiting
word from New York as to the date
OF arrival Of Police Commissioner
Lewis j. Valentine and Deputy Com
missioner Cornelius j. OIeary, who
are scheduled to make an inde-
pendent survey of the traffic situa-
ton and suggest remedies.
President Roosevelt suggested
Commissioner Valentine for the Job
and Mayor La Guardia agreed to
let him come to Washington to
make the survey. along with Deputy
Commissioner OLeary, who is de-
scribed as a traffic expert.
Last word from Mayor La
Guardia indicated the two police
officials would come to Washington
S0roe tiyooo tl,jc y,o0rtl,