Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-01-06
Capital Transit
May Buy More
Tro||eys, Buses
Loreer Fleet Studied
In View of Auto
And Tire Situation

The Capital Transit Co.. looking
ahead to a probable heavy shift
from private to public transporta-
ton facilities as a result of the au-
tomobile and tire rationing pro-
grams, may soon place orders for
additional new streetcars and buses
for delivery in June and July. Presl-
dent E. D. Merrill indicated today.
While explaining he could not es-
innate at this time how many new
vehicles might be ordered to aug
ment what is now the biggest fleet
of streetcars and buses ever in OPP
Grafton in Washington, Mr. Merrill
admitted that the rubber situation
has upset the company's calculations
of it's needs in 1912.
Orders placed last year were esti-
mated to give the transit firm SUI
ficient facilities to meet transpor-
tation demands during the whole OF
1912, but Mr. Merrill said it appeared
now that additional new streetcars
and buses would be needed by sum-
mer.
Move to Speed Orders.
Federal and District officials are
fully cognizant of the need for
making adequate provision for mass
transportation and are doing every
thing possible to speed up delivery
of vehicles now on order, Mr.. Mer-
rill said.
o. P. M. officials have given high
priority ratings to the company's
orders and in some instances have
helped to speed deliveries of ma
terials needed in construction OF
streetcars and buses.
Delivery of buses ordered last year
has been slowed up some by delay
experienced by manufacturers in
obtaining certain parts. such as
transmission gears, which are sim
liar to those used in Army tanks
and trucks.
The transit company, however,
has been promised delivery by jan
uary II of the remaining Is buses
of feet of 100 ordered last April
Delivery of the 200 additional buses
ordered in October is expected to
begin about February Is and the
shipment probably will be COM
pleted by April l, Mr. Merrill said.
81 Expected by June.
Sixty-seven streetcars also were
ordered last October and some of
these are expected to be in operation
in June
Mr.. Merrill said he does not ex-
pect the shift from private to pub
lie transportation vehicles to be too
rapid for the company to handle.
Company officials still are canvass
ing the situation to determine the
probable effect Of the rationing
program on it's facilities during the
next few months. AS matters now
stand, Mr.. Merrill said, facilities
will be sufficient to handle what
ever increased load there might be
during the first half Of the year.
Only six applications for new au-
tomobile or truck tires were on file
with the Districts Tire Rationing
Board, meanwhile, after the first
days operation of the rationing pro-
gram.
Few motorists appeared to be in
hurry to get slice of the allot-
ment of 1922 tires provided in the
Districts January quota. But
Chairman Whitney Leary of the
Rationing Board looks for business
to pick up in few days after car
owners get used to the system.
Right now, more citizens are call
ing at the boards headquarters in
the old Force School for informa-
ton and advice than are visiting the
tire inspection stations to get appli-
cations for ration cards.
Only 20 at Testing Stations.
There were fewer than 20 callers
at the two testing stations yesterday
and more than half of those were
ineligibles.
OF the six applications received by
Chairman Leary, three were from
doctors, two from plumbing and
heating equipment concerns and one
from visiting nurse.
Mr.. Leary said the first batch OF
requests would be acted on tomor-
row by the three committees named
to review the applications. The
committees will hold separate meet
ings at the Force School at pm
tomorrow, prior to general meet
ing at pm. with Chairman Leary
and the Executive Committee of the
board.
Chairman Leary last night reor.
gained the memberships of the
three committees and designated 8
chairman for each.
Revised Committees.
The revised list follows:
Committee No. /: Raymond
Sparks. chairman; j. M. Sanders anc
DR.. John F. Preston. This unit will
handle applications from member.
of the medical professions, for am.
balances and for fire, police, public
health. sanitation and mail services
Committee No. Q: Milton w. King
chairman; Seldom M Ely and r
Scott Smith. This unit has charg,
Of applications for public transpor'
tation vehicles. for transportation
Of students and teachers to and from
school and for necessary transporta
ton of employees on industrial
mining or construction projects.
Committee No. 3: John w. Guider
chairman, and Paul Lum. A thirt
member of this committee Is yet t.
be named. The unit will deal will
applications for essential transpor
tation of materials, such as ice, fueI
building materials and the like, ant
services by common carriers.
Would Core for Wurdens