Evening star., 1942-02-02
Parking
Approved by
House Group
Possoge by Lower
Chamber Will Send
Bill tc President

Bill fc PRESIDENT
The Senate-approved bill author
tzing the Commissioners to estab-
lish municipally-owned automobile
parking lots on the fringe of WASH
ingtons congested business section
was unanimously Endorsed today by
the House District Committee.
This move advanced the legisla-
ton to the House calendar. Only
House approval is now needed to
complete legislative action on the
bill and send 1t to President Roose-
velt for signature.
The committee favorably reported
the bill after brief discussion Of the
parking situation.
After action on the fringe-park-
ing bill, numerous suggestions were
made to the committee for aleviat-
ing traffic conditions, including con-
struction Of subways or depressed
rights Of way for streetcars and
buses.
Home Guards Urged.
Col. Kutz, Engineer Commis.
sioner, suggested organization Of
uniformed home guards like those in
Maryland and Virginia to relieve
regular policemen of guard duty at
bridges, public buildings and utility
plants. His suggestion followed a
statement that 300 Metropolitan
policemen are now being used for
guard duty.
Representative Schultz, Democrat,
OF Indiana, whose Subcommittee on
Streets and Traffic, held a series of
public hearings on the parking bill
several months ago, said off-street
parking facilities are needed more
acutely In the downtown area than
on its fringe. He suggested that the
Commissioners construct garages
and establish parking lots in the
business section to operate in com.
petition with those privately owned.
Commercial parking lot and garage
owners, he charged, have taken ad-
vantage Of the shortage of parking
accommodations in the congested
area by lacking up prices"
500 Rise in Garage Prices Cited.
Mr.. Schultz echoed a statement
made a few minutes previously by
Representative Ford, Democrat of
California. Appearing before the
committee as witness, Mr.. Ford
said the garage in which he stores
his car had increased monthly rates
from $3.50 to s1750 on the ground
that labor costs had risen. He fur
ther declared he had heard other
members of Congress complain about
so per cent raises in storage charges.
The committee had before it a
bill sponsored by Representative
Dirksen. Republican. of Illinois, de-
signed to prevent 'prof1teering" by
parking lot and garage owners. 1t
would give the Public Utilities Com
mission control over parking rates.
No action was taken, however, be-
cause Of the absence Of Mr.. Dirksen,
ranking minority member Of the
committee.
Representative Herbert, Democrat
Of Louisiana, suggested that the
District rent control law be amended
to give the rent administrator control
over parking fees.
Dirksen Bill Held Adequate.
Corporation Counsel Richmond B.
Keech pointed out the Dirksen bill
would "take care of the situation"
Representative Schultz asked who
would regulate parking fees under
the dirksen bill.
"The Public Utilities Commission"
replied Mr.. Keech.
I'm opposed to that" declared
Mr.. Schultz.
The fringe-parking bill authorizes
creation of a seven-member motor
vehicle parking agency to regulate
and control the municipally-owned
parking facilities. The agency would
be composed of q representative of
the Federal Works Agency, rep
resentative of the National Park
Service, a representative of the De-
partment of Vehicles and Traffic,
and four District residents selected
by the Commissioners.
Washington I. Cleveland of the
District division. A. A. A., told the
| committee his organization looks at
the traffic problem as one to be
treated under dual program-a
long-range program and the things
that must be done Immediately to
prevent the Capitals transporta-
ton system from suffering a COM
plete breakdown of facilities.
Immediate Needs.
Concerning the immediate prob
lem, there are a number of steps
which can be taken now to ease the
situation. First Of all, there is a
great need for reorganization of the
Department of Vehicles and Traffic.
Another great need is the addi-
tional fulltime traffic officers" the
A. A. A. representative asserted, "and
many of the present officers are be-
ing used for guarding jobs which
could as well be done by soldiers
stationed at the many camps around
Washington"
Harry S. Wender, vice president
Of the Federation of Citizens Asso-
| CidtlOlios dS1CCQ Will
Schultz, advocate of an underground
rapid transit system, that Washing
ton would have to come to such a
plan.
Representative Schultz described
the proposed taxicab pickup SER
vice" approved by the Utilities Com
mission as "the darndest joke in all
| the world"
Edwin A. Glenn, president Of the.
cab drivers union, told the commit
tee taxi drivers are opposed to the
pickup service. He said they had
called a mass meeting for its con-
sideration at Roosevelt High School
Wednesday night.
Thomas Gearly Of the Office of
the Co-ordinator Of Information,
proposed a system of "transporta-
ton script" for Government en-
ployes who use taxicabs on official
business.