Evening star., 1945-11-22
U. S.-Appointed Head
OF Transit Lines Is
Able Administrator

Guy A. Richardson, director of the
highway transport department o1
the Office of Defense Transporta-
ton, is running Washington's trans
portation system today.
His official designation is Federal
manager of the Capital Transit Co
He has background of over 40 years
in private transportation in various
parts of the Nation.
Mr.. Richardson yesterday after
noon laid before the Capital Transit
workers President Truman,s execu-
tive order and the Notice and Or
der" naming Mr.. Richardson Fed
eral manager. He was greeted by
boos and shouts.
Leaders Meet With Manager.
Two leaders Of the union dissent
ers, who held a "rump meeting"
after the session closed yesterday,
met with Mr.. Richardson last night
at his office in the Post Office De-
partment Building. He pointed out
to these leaders-Paul H. Parker and
Robert F. Parks-that the workers
were bound by a contract which
runs until June 30, unless 1t is
changed by mutual consent. He said
the sensible course was further ne
gotiation and arbitration.
Following this discussion, Mr..
Parker and Mr.. Parks went on the
air last night at $50 o'clock over
Station WWDC and urged their fell
low workers to resume work and
and await further negotiation and
arbitration.
Born in Boston, Mass, in 1882, Mr..
Richardson has been identified with
transit operations since 1901. AS
young man he entered the employ
OF the Boston Elevated Railway.
From 1905 until 1919, he was en-
ployed by the engineering firm of
Stone & Webster.
Wide Transport Experience.
Mr. Richardson was operating vice
president of the Philadelphia Rapid
Transit Co. from 1919 to 1923 and
of the Chicago surface lines from
1923 to 1882, president in 1892, and
receiver of the Chicago Railways
Co.. 1888 until 1e4l.
In his new job as Federal man
sger of the Capital Transit Co. he
will operate through the existing
management of the company for
the present. He is charged with ef-
f1cient operation Ito assure the
maintenance of an effective system
OF transportation for the armed
forces and the civilian population, 81
to quote the order taking over the
properties, signed by Homer c. King,
deputy director of the ONCE of De-
fense Transportation.
Mr.. Richardson can have the aid
of the Army in his task if he
wants it.
Mr.. Richardson was picked to
head Washington,s transportation
system because of his experience and
background. The history of ODT
shows that man with particular
knowledge of a transportation IA
cility Is chosen to operate it under
the Government, officials said.
Other Seizures Recalled.
The ODT has had extensive expe-
rience during the war in handling
transportation labor difficulties.
A check of ODT records showed
today that all the properties previ-
ously involved have been returned
to private operation, except the
Illinois Central Railroad.
The Scranton CPa.) transit system
was in ODT hands from June Is to
July 6, ODT officials said. The
Toledo, Peoria g. Western Railroad
taken over by the Federal Govern
ment March %, 1912, was not re-
turned to its owners until October
!, 1945. This was "the first wartime
seizure Of any private property by
the Federal Government" officials
recalled.
The American Railroad of Puerto
Rico was in the official custody of
the ODT for about year.
There were 103 Midwestern truck /,
lines taken over by ODT on August
II, 1914, but all were returned to
private ownership by November l, |
10dS