Evening star., 1948-09-29
Schools Refuse
ToSubsidize
A. B. .&W. Boost
Arlington Board Cites
Added Cost; Bus Firm
Discounts Figure


Board last night decided it can
not subsidize 21z-cent increase
which the Alexandria, Bancroft g.
Washington Transit Co. will place
into effect on some of its lines next
month.
The question of subsidies was
placed before the board by Lester
r. Conley, member of the Airing
ton Public Utilities Commission,
who said that A. B. & w. plans to
charge pupils 71a cents on some Of
its bus trips. :
The A. B. & w. today, however,
discounted the size of the increase,
stating that 18 of its buses are
used for school transportation. OF
these, only seven buses, or IA daily
trips, will be affected, the company
said. At 40 passengers per bus this
would amount to only s14 more a
day or $3.50 a school year, the COM
pany contends. Mr.. Conley said the
figure probably would be higher
than that.
Conley Sees Future Increase.
At last nights meeting Mr.. Con-
ley said it would cost about $60,000
more year if both the A. B. g. w.
and the Washington, Virginia &
Maryland Coach Co. increased their
fares by 21a cents for all students
using the bus systems.
Mr.. Conley explained that the
A. B. 81 w. is exercising its author
ity granted by the State Corpora
ton Commission to charge 7h
cents for children on off-route runs.
Mr.. Conley said that if the board
subsidized the A. B. & w. passen-
gers the county could expect sim
liar request later from w. v. & M.
and the costs would be greatly in
creased. The board said it Is finan-
cially unable to take on the new
subsidy program.
Votes to Continue Fare Plan.
1t adopted a motion to continue
paying fares for fifth and sixth
grade pupils who live in Glencarlyn,
but must be transported to the
Matthew Maury School, in the $500
block of Wilson boulevard. This
subsidy, at the rate of S cents per
pupil passenger, goes to w. v. & M
Heretofore, the board also has
subsidized pupil service from Arna
Valley to Nellie Custis School on
South Twenty-fourth street, and
from Virginia Highlands to Wash
ington-Lee High School on North
Thirteenth street. These, presuma-
oily, will be discontinued.
All the subsidies have been cov-
cred by a $2,5o0 budget item.
The board decided to defer con-
sideration of a proposal to open
schools half an hour earlier. Mr.
Conley said there is no immediate
solution to problems caused by bus
traffic congestion at 8 am.
In other business last night tht
school board accepted an offer from
RollAf1d Ws Stoebe, 93214 NORTH
Nineteenth road, representing the
new Co-ordinating Council for the
Arlington school bond issue, to heir
in the campaign for approval Of
the s4,750,000 proposal. The boarc
appointed Mrs. Art Brown as it.
representative to work with the
council.
$2.75 Pay Scale Authorized.
A pay scale of $275 an hour wa:
ordered for teachers instructine
pupils who are confined to their
homes. Supt. Fletcher Kemp had
recommended SO.
John L. Harlan, 4722 North
Twenty-sixth street, protested the
boards plans to place temporary
building at Twenty-sixth street and
Old Dominion drive, and presented
petition of citizens supporting his
view. The board said, however, that
no other site could be used and
assured Mr. Harland the building
will be made as attractive as pos
sible, Members added it will be re.
moved when practicable.
Mr.. Harlan,s petition said the tenn.
porary nature Of the undertaking
would not justify an appropriation
Of the size that would be required
The need for future money to re.
move the structure for a permanent
building was cited.
The petition also said 'it Is ap.
parent that the building will be ol
such temporary nature and appear.
ance as to be in conflict with the
established character of other build.
ings in this residential zone"