Evening star., 1941-10-31
Rail Officials
To Give Data
On Commuters
Possible Expansion
OF Service TO D. 6.
Will Be Studied

Officials of three railroads today
agreed to request by District off,
cials to supply detailed data on rail-
road commuters service from the
into Washington, to give a
basis for a decision on what might
be done to expand existing service.
Following a tWo-hour session with
District officials, it was reported the
railroads had shown a willingness
to expand present commuters serv-
ices-if it is found that the people
want it and will patronize it. Pres
ent patronage gives a skeptical out
look for any considerable expansion
moves, railroad officials said.
The conference had before it a
report showing that commuter train
service which operates in morning
and evening rush hours between
Quantico, Va. and the District car
ries daily average of only 81 COM
muters. Thirteen passengers come
from Quantico and five are school,
children Washington bound; five
come from Occoquan, three from
Lorton, three from Accotink, five
from Alexandria. one from Dabney
and one from Whitewater, Va.s Fiji
teen of the passengers leave the
train at the station at Seventh street
and Maryland avenue S.W. and Is go
to Union Station
Station Heavily Loaded.
The conference was advised that
of
rather heavily loaded.
One suggestion has been that
commuter service trains be operated
over the Georgetown freight line Of
the Baltimore e. Ohio Railroad.
District officials asked particularly
today if this could be used for
passenger service, and were told the
line would have to be rebuilt. if it
were TO carry fast-moving passenger
service. and should be double
tracked - indicating the venture
would not be profitable unless daily
passenger patronage was very high.
Highway Director H. c. White
hurst said railroad representatives
had been asked to supply informa-
on present commuter trains, sched-
ules, capacity of the existing COM
muter trains, and the rates charged.
Railroad men also were asked II
send in writing any comments they
had.
Among COnferees.
When the information arrives,
Capt. Whitehurst said District Of
ficials will calculate the density of
population of the areas served or to
be served
Among those attending todsvs
conference were Engineer Commis-
sioner Charles w Kutz. Capt.
Whitehurst, Traffic Director william
A. Van Duzer, John B. Mordecai,
traffic manager of the Richmond,
Fredericksburg e. Potomac Rail
road; Daniel Moorman and Edward
H, Riecks of the B. & O., B. R. Toll
son, manager of the Washington
Terminal, and representatives of the
Pennsylvania Railroad.
The special Senate subcommittee
studying WaShington's traffic prob
lens completed arrangements mean
while to bring together officials of the
Maryland and Virginia park and
planning commissions to discuss
plans of these two States for CO.
ordinating their traffic activities
in nearby areas with those of the
District.
Resume Hearings Tuesday,
In recess over the week end. the
subcommittee will resume public
hearings Tuseday. On that day the
witnesses will include Clifton Stone
burner of the Arlington County
Park and Planning Commission. and
Thomas Hampton of the Mont
gomery County Park and Planning
Commission. Two officials of the
National Capital Park and Plan
ming Commission - Frederic A.
Delano, chairman, and Thomas S.
Settle. executive Secretary-also
have been invited to testify.
In addition to these officials,
the Senate subcommittee has sched-
uled among its witnesses Tuesday,
William H. Press, executive Secre-
tary of the Washington Board OF
| Trade; Baxter Smith of the Fed
Grafton of Citizens Associations,
and George E. Keneipp of the Key.
stone Automobile Club.
Wednesday. the subcommittee
plans to discuss contributions the
street railway and interurban bus
companies can make toward i'm
provement of the mass transporta-
ton service. Witnesses that day
will include E. D. Merrill, president
of the Capital Transit Co.; Joseph
Arnold of the Maryland-Virginia
Motor Coach Co.; C. j. Ralston of
the Arlington-Fairf Motor Coach
Co, and a representative of the
Arlington, Bancroft and Washing
ton Motor Coach Co., which serves
Alexandria and way points.