Evening star., 1943-09-12
ice Bus Fare HEARINGS
Expected 10 Conclude
Early This Week

War and Navy Department coun-
sci were expected to end their case
in the Interstate Commerce Com
mission hearing on trans-Potomac
bus fares tomorrow amid indica-
tions that the inquiry would close
early In the week and go to the full
commission, which still has to de-
eide whether it has jurisdiction over
the disputed area in nearby Vir-
ginia.
The hearing, in its seventh day
at lunch time after counsel for the
four transit companies involved
had limited that pressure by cabi-
net members was being placed on
the ICC to bring speedy end to
the inquiry, which opened August
Is and subsequently has been de-
layed several times.
A clash between opposing coun-
sci occurred after Robert E. Quirk,
attorney for the Alexandria, Bar
croft & Washington Transit Co.,
requested Commissioner William
Patterson to postpone the hearing
until Wednesday because he would
be out of town on business. E. Bar
rett Prettyman, counsel for the
Capital Transit Co., then suggested
a full weeks postponement for
similar reasons. 49,
Delays Are Refused.
Commissioner Patterson, in in
af
ing tomorrow, said it was 'of much
public interest to certain cabinet
officers" and added that I'VE want
to keep the hearing going with as
little delay as possible"
After Col E. M. Barron, chief
counsel representing the War and
Navy Departments, commented that
II can't explain to my superiors all
these delays" attorneys began jump
ing to their feet in defense of Mr..
Quirks petition
Warning that this case may 60 to
court" Wilmer A. Hill, attorney for
the Arlington g. Fairfax Motor
Transportation Co., asserted that if
1t were true that certain cabinet
officers were pressing the ICC in the
inquiry it would be contrary to
the tradition of this commission.
At the outset of the hearing last
month the question of jurisdiction by
the ICC over the area which includes
the Pentagon Building, the Navy
Annex and the Army Air Forces An
mex arose when the Virginia State
corporation counsel's office moved
the hearing be discontinued.
Ruling Was Delayed.
The commission has yet to act on
the motion, although the question
has cropped up from time to time
since.
Should the commission rule that
1t lacks jurisdiction in recommend
ing a uniform fare rate to military
establishments in Arlington, the
Governments case presumably
would be ended.
Franklin K. Lane, president of the
Arlington & Fairfax line, testified
yesterday that the Government pro-
posal of uniform issuance of spe-
SAn2 VI oilo1C1S Vi kdSSCS W WAL
workers in Arlington was imprac-
tical and unworkable. In addition,
officials of other companies have in
sisted that any reduction in fares
would find them operating at an
even greater loss.
The Capital Transit Co. claimed
that during the seven-month period
ended July 81 it operated the Penta-
gon shuttle service at a loss of $685.
948.76. Dean j. Locke, staff engi-
neer for the company suggested
that if the staggered hours for Gov
eminent employees both in Wash
tngton and Arlington were increased
from two and one-half to five hours
the company would need to operate
only about $50 buses instead of the
present 300-odd.
Mr.. Lane observed that If he had
known the Government was going
to press for reduced fares, his COM
pany would never have expanded" !"