Evening star., 1944-10-25
Hebert Believes u. 5.
Should Bear Share
OF Subway Cost
Representative Says
Government Obligated
To Federal Employees
BY DON S. WARREN.

Representative Hebert, Democrat.
OF Louisiana declared today he be-
heved the Federal Government
should bear a share of the cost if
the proposed stTeetcar subway sys-
tenn is adopted as means of solv-
ing traffic congestion in Washing
tons central area.
He said he thought the major
portion of the subway cost should
be borne by the Capital Transit Co.,
however, because it has been given
monopoly in mass transportation
service. But the United States also
has a stake in the project, he
asserted.
Just what portion of the cost
should be met by the Government
Is a matter to be determined after
careful study, said Mr.. Hebert, who
is member of the Public Utilities
Subcommittee of the House District
Committee.
U. S. Obligation Cited.
He added there definitely was an
obligation on the United States
because Washington belongs to the
people of the whole country. and
because of the Federal RESPONSE
olllty to see that Government work.
ers here have adequate facilities of
all kinds.
Representative Smith, Democrat.
OF Virginia, also a member of the
ublic Utilities Subcommittee
agreed with Mr.. Hebert that the
Government should contribute to-
waro construction of subways, If
they are found necessary, because
OF its obligation to Federal workers
living in and near Washington.
| he said he had not made snv
close study of the subway plans.
but that he was convinced a real
solution of Washington's traffic
| tant."
Long Term Financing Likely.
Wnne the cost of constructing
the proposed subways has been esti-
mated at $50, ,400, 900, Mr.. Hebert as
serted project of such size almost
inevitably would have to be financed
on a long-term basis and that
therefore, the cost would not appear
so staggering.
He added that he felt no portion
OF the cost should be placed on the
municipal government in the form
OF added taxes.
Representative Harris, Democrat.
OF Arkansas, chairman of the Public
Utilities Subcommittee, was out of
the city today. but there we're indi-
= cations his subcommittee would be-
gin study of the subway and other
/ trafnc relief proposals soon after
Congress reconvenes November IA.
Mr.. Hebert suggested the subject be
considered Jointly by the Public Util-
tiles Subcommittee and the Traffic
Subcommittee, headed by Represent
atlye D'Alesandro, Democrat, of
Maryland.
Transit Company NoncommjttsI
The Capital Transit Co. reserved
comment on the plan until its engi-
neers have examined it, The COM
pany commended the Commission
ers and Capt. H. c. Whitehurst. di-
rector of highways. for submitting
the proposal to the public at this
time.
1t was pointed out that the firm
OF consulting engineers obtained
factual data from the company
during the early stages of the sur
vey but that Capital Transit enei-
neers did not participate in the
preparation of the report nor did
they make any recommendations
The company promised it would
comment on the proposal after an
analysis.
The Keystone Automobile Club
announced it has appointed a SUBJ
committee of its Advisory Board to
consider the transportation survey
and plan released Monday by the
Commissioners.
Named by Mark Lansburgh. chair
man of the advisory group, were
Edgar Morris, H. Randolph Maddox,
vice president of the Chesapeake &
Potomac Telephone Co.; DR.. H. C.
Dickinson, chief of the heat and
power division of the Bureau of
Standards; Arthur j. Sundlun and
William Ullman. Mr.. Morris will
serve as chairman of the subcom-
mittee.