Evening star., 1949-10-28
Buses
Continued From First Page.)

only q small net income in Sep
tember. This advertising revenue
presents an opportunity for addi-
tional earnings and in the interest
of our passengers we felt we could
not ignore it.
There were no volunteers at
the opening of today's session
when Chairman James H. Flana-
gan asked anyone in the audience
to step forward and state his
views. Yesterday. they were
standing in line to get to the
witness stand.
Mr.. Giddings was the first of a
probable list of eight witnesses
the transit company plans to call.
Mr.. Await estimated presentation
of the company's case would re-
quire about. six hours-which
would mean continuation of the
hearing Monday.
GetS 30 MOntn fef SET.
Mr.. Giddings testified that his
company receives $6 per month
for each receiving set installed on
streetcars and buses. 1--WE feel
the return can be substantial II
given the opportunity" he said
He said the initial sets were in
stalled after research and surveys
I'VE realized there would be
some objection, but we took pains
to see that the type of music
would be good. the commercials
would not exceed go seconds and
that they would be factual In
character"
He said in answer to question,
that the streetcar and bus opera
tors have been instructed to turn
OF the receivers "if they consider
it is playing too loud or. If some
thing is wrong with it"
Witness Cross-examined
Franklin S. Pollak, an attorney
representing himself, began cross
examination of Mr.. Giddings with
all the aplomb OF courtroom pro-
cedure.
Q.-What are your responsible
ties as vice president of Capital
Transit?"
A.-"Rather varied"
Q.-"Would you answer about
some Of them-generally?"
A.-"The dissemination of in
formation on the company and its
problems; sit inwith management
on the formulation Of policy"
Chairman Flanagan curtly re-
jected Mr.. Pollak's request to in
stall radio receiving sets in the
hearing room to determine wheth-
er normal conversation could be
carried on while the programs
streetcar and bus riders are COM
PEELED to listen to were being
broadcast.
Mr.. Pollak then asked Mr.. Gid
dings if the Capital Transit Co.
had recordings of the programs
broadcast on streetcars and buses
Sunday.
Radios Are Off on Sundays.
"Our radios are not turned on
on Sunday" Mr.. Giddings re-
piled. "Our broadcasts are only
on the air six days a week"
MIR. Pollak next asked if the
Capital Transit Co. kept any writ
ten transcripts of the radio pro-
grams and Mr.. Giddings said II
did not.
Mr.. Pollak emphasized that the
transit company's contract with
Station WWDC provides thai
radios do not have to be played
in chartered buses.
1--WE want to show" Mr.. Pollai
said, that it is the company's
policy to compel its captive audi.
ence to listen to these programs
but it does not compel riders II
chartered buses to listen, because
that is a competitive field. Tht
company has competition for it
charter business and it does no
want to annoy its riders"
Taft Cousin Testifies.
One of the morning witnesses
was Hubert Taft, executive vic'
president Of the Radio Cincinnati
Inc, and chairman Of the boart
of Transit Radio, Inc, nationa
concern of which the Washing
ton system is an affiliate.
Mr.. Taft, a cousin Of Senate,
Taft, Republican, Of Ohio. ad'
mitted that IF the volume is to-
high the radios definitely. can b
o public nuisance, but" he hastil.
added, new volume controls ar
being perfected and if Washing
ton equips further these improve
ments will be available to them.
Mr.. Taft was questioned b.
transit company and radio at
torneys, and by Mr.. Pollak, a
some length on the time allowet
for commercials. He said the pro
grams follow a similar patter1