Evening star., 1949-12-19
PUG Approves
Radios in Buses
And Sfreetcars
Official Inquiry Ends;
DecisionsCIeurs WAY
For Use of More Sets

tinue to have radio music and
commercials on Capital Transit
streetcars and buses. the Public
Utilities Commission ruled today.
The commission, dismissing the
investigation called for by the
clamor of dissenters, not only ap-
proved continuance of the FM
radio reception now aboard 212
vehicles, but gave this blessing:
1T is not an obstacle to the
safety of operation is
not inconsistent with public con-
venience, comfort and safety.
"It tends to improve the condi-
tions under which the public
ride"
Within 80 minutes after the
decision was announced, Transit
riders were hearing WWDC-FM
newscasts on the result.
More Sets to Be Installed.
The decision eventually will
turn on an estimated 1900 re-
ceivers in that number of vehicles,
Capital Transit officials an
nounced. They will be installed
as rapidly as the sets become
available" a spokesman said.
Equally fast reaction came
from Attorney, Franklin S. Pol
lax, one of the principal inter-
veners, who declared his intention
Of appealing ito the United States
District Court in accordance with
law"
"A party desiring to appeal to
the courts from a decision of the
commission must file an applica-
ton for reconsideration with the
commission within 30 days." Mr..
Pollak's statement continued.
I'VE will do that and we will state
then our views on what the COM
mission has said and not said"
Basis of the commissions ruling
was lack of substantial evidence"
against use of the radio-equipped
vehicles.
Evidence Reviewed.
"The commission decision on
such issues must rest upon basis
more tangible than impassioned
pleas which reflect personal feel
ings either in favor or against
radios in transportation vehicles"
the announcement declared.
The decision was given in six
page, single spaced document
which reviewed the high points of
pro and con evidence. At the end
was this conclusion:
From the testimony of record.
the conclusion is inescapable that
radio reception in streetcars and
buses is not an obstacle to safety
of operation.
Further, it is evidence that
public comfort and convenience is
not impaired and that, in fact.
through the creation of better will
among passengers, it tends to i'm
prove the conditions under which
the public ride.
Inquiry Dismissed.
In the light of these conclu-
sions, it is obvious that the in
rstallation and use of radios IN
streetcars and buses of the Cap
ital Transit Co. is not inconsistent
with public convenience comfort
and safety. For the foregoing
reasons, it is ordered that the in
vestigation initiated by Commits
sion Order No. $3.50 be, and it is
hereby dismissed"
The controversy, prefaced by
scores of pro and con letters to
Washington newspapers and vot-
ing by citizens associations.
fared into a stormy public meet
ing before the commission late in
October.
To get evidence into the record
the commission was forced to
designate, by seat and row, the
order in which the first days
crowd could take the witness
stand. BY the second day the
jammed hearing room had dwin-
died to less than so. From then
on it droned on two more days.
filled with technical testimony
and the legal parryings of coun-
sci.
Another prime dissenter was
Attorney Guy Martin, who joined
with Mr. Pollak in the final brief
against the transit company. Mr..
Martin is out of the city and
could not be reached for COM
ment today.