Evening star., 1947-02-27
Letters to The Star
The Transit Company's Battle
to Keep Wheels Turning

ANllSlo W lllG CldI
The Transit Company's Battle
to Keep Wheels Turning
To the Editor OF The Star:
Now that we have had chance to
catch our second breath, I would like
to thank your editorial star for the
fine manner in which they reported our
transportation troubles during the re-
cent snowstorm and also, through you.
to thank our patrons for their patience
and cooperation during the many
difficult hours that were spent battling
to keep our lines open. Before the storm
had abated and we had everything
under control, more than one thousand
Of our people had worked around the
clock, many even longer. AL 81 Of our
snow sweepers had seen action; 30 Of
our own and hired trucks had spread
more than $500 tons of sand and a
large number OF tire chains, with which
every bus on the road was finally
equipped, had worn out. When the
cost to the company is totaled, venture
to say it viii be in the neighborhood Of
$4,000.
Battling snowstorms is always q new
experience to our folks even though
they have had years Of experience. The
weather reports were followed closely
and we were not unprepared for the
storm. Our first sweeper was ordered
out at 1887 am. on February 20, and
within two hours all 81 sweepers were
on the road. The first scraper and sand
truck was ordered out at 1915 pm. and
within two hours 80 were working. The
snow was fine and falling as it did with
the temperature SO low, the snow packed
into ice. The only way it could be dis
posed of in some places was by chopping
it out.
Unfortunately, too, on some of our
rail lines we experienced power trouble
and in one instance a manhole fire
burned, out our cables. Troubles piled
on trouble. Our rail sweepers were
stalled. BY the time power was restored
the snow and ice had gotten a good
grip and it took doubled efforts and
plenty of sweat and tears to catch up.
And to top this, automobiles, taking
advantage of the roads we were keeping
open, stalled on the tracks or in the
roadways. It took only few automo-
biles, carrying comparatively few people,
to tie up thousands of transit patrons.
While We may not have done perfect
job, can't help but take the oppor-
tunity to commend to the public our
mechanical. maintenance OF way and
operating forces for their unselfish devo-
ton to the service. Your help and the
understanding Of our patrons made it
all worthwhile. E. D. MERRILL,
President, Capital Transit Co.
Indorses Mr.. Bevin's Protest
To the Editor Of The Star:
Permit me to say through your
columns that the severe words which
Foreign Secretary, Ernest Bevin, felt
compelled to utter concerning the action
OF our Government on the Palestine
question, have my heartiest endorse
ment. I say this with regret that
must say it, hut truth is just now de-
manded in the face Of perfect mess
which has been made of the Zionist
question by conflicting theories.
The British Government has the
mandate of Palestine, until some other
arrangement has been or can be made.
It is strictly none Of our business to
embarrass the British as we have, by
insisting that a certain contingent of
our population must wag the tail of the
British lion. I had hoped that after
the great Jewish leader, of New York
City, had declared his intention to
Withdraw from all the Zionist agencies,
that this would open the eyes Of some
of our benighted leaders to the true
situation. But obviously that has not
as yet happened-at least to all of
them. JOHN o. KNOTT.
A Note of Appreciation
To the Editor OF The Star:
This Is the season for truthfully
speaking and hence this note of deep
appreciation to you for speaking and
writing and cartooning so fairly of
some of the great issues of our present
time. We agree with you in urging
the confirmation Of Mr.. David Lilien-
thai Your editorial on Attack by
Innuendo' was courageous since you
had to stand across from Robert Taft.
I agree, too, that irresponsible Econo-
my" is not economy at all The Repub-
lican Party can never win in 48 If,
instead of building a program, it uses
a pick, hammer and pail of red paint
to tear down and smear. We subscribed
to The Star in August of 1914 as soon
as we came to Washington so we have
read your paper daily for over two
years. You are formulating a public
opinion that is above partisanship. You
are teaching Americanism to Americans
who have lost their way or let prejudices
get in the road of clear thinking.
My uncle, Edward Rosewater, years
ago founded and edited The Omaha
Bee. It was the liberal Republican
organ of the Midwest for many years,
but it really died with him. He and
Gilbert Hitchcock Of the Democratic
World Herald used to do battle edi-
torally. I really can appreciate your
fresh and vigorous editorials.
c. E. F.
Sees Star Turning Red
To the Editor Of The Star:
! have been q reader of The Star
for so years and certainly was shocked
to learn that you are in favor of ap-
pointing Red to the Craftsmanship of