Evening star., 1950-04-04

SPeStutoIS NPPiuuu
Appeal to Roll Back
Rates to 1947 Level
More than 20 witnesses before
the Public Utilities Commission
today opposed the application Of
the Capital Transit Co. for higher
fares.
They appeared as representa-
tives of various organizations anc
as individuals as the PUG opened
its hearing on the company's ap.
plication for higher fares. The
company was to present It's case
later today.
About 100 spectators in the
boardroom of the District Build
ing applauded as one witness
urged that the fare be rolled
back to 1947, when three tokens
sold for 25 cents and a weekly
pass cost $1.25.
The company is asking for a
15-cent cash fare instead of the
present 13 cents. for a token fare
of six for 80 cents, instead Of
three for IS cents as at present,
and elimination of the weekly
pass now Sold for SITS
Pass Elimination Fought.
A number of the witnesses pro-
tested particularly against pro-
posed weekly pass elimination. A
representative of the Washington
Restaurant Association said the
pass elimination would do great
damage to the restaurant business.
The spokesman. Alfred A. Nc
Garraghy, said that many Gov
ernment employees stop off at res
taurants to have breakfast on
their way to work. He said they
also use the pass in going to a
restaurant for dinner. His or
ganization. he declared, is not
opposed to higher price for the
pass, but urges that it be retained.
Those who appeared in opposi-
ton to the proposed fare increases
were:
Andrew J. Temple, president,
Bradbury Heights Citizens Asso-
citation; Leo J. Richards, 6410
Ridge drive, representing the
Civic League of Brookmont, Md.
1t. Col. Robert L. Pollard, retired,
Federation of Civic Association.
Also, John 9. Estes, Fort Du-
pont Citizens Association: Patrick
M. Tolliver, Deanwood Civic Asso-
citation; Roy H. Wood, chairman,
Communist Party of the District;
Gabriel johnson. Benning Heights
Civic Association; the Rev. An
drew j. Allen, First Baptist
Church, Deanwood: Thomas B..
Scott. president of the Glover
Park Citizens Association and
representing the Northwest Coun-
Gil of Citizens Associations.
Additional witnesses in opposi-
ton were John j. Gwinn, who said
he represented "the public at
large; c. Leigh Hibbard, District
Federation of the National Feder-
alton Of Federal Employees; the
Rev. Andrew Fowler, Capital View
Baptist Church; the Rev. Lindsey
c. Murray, Morning Star Baptist
Church: Mrs. Susie Scott. Morning
Star Church member; Mrs. Bron-
son G. McIlwee. 507 Quackenbos
street NV.
Also, Mrs. Charlotte Sillers,
Women's Auxiliary. United Public
Workers; John R. Pollitt, Eastland
Garden Civic Association; Mrs.
Harriet E. Slaughter, 1918 Lee
street NE; John H. Martini, rep
resenting the AFL restaurant en-
ployes; Mrs. Gertrude Evans,
executive secretary, Progressive
Party of the District; Frank w.
Vedder, 231 Massachusetts avenue
NE. and Malcolm T. Daniels,
Midway Civic Association.
A number of the witnesses tes-
titled that elimination of the pass
would work hardship on those in
loW-income brackets.
More Traffic Seen.
Several witnesses pointed out
that higher fares would mean
greater use of private automobiles
and increased traffic congestion in
downtown Washington.
The Federation of Citizens As
sociations entered its appearance
As the hearing opened. James
H. Flanagan, PUG chairman, said
he would withhold a ruling until
later on petition to intervene
filed by the Washington Chapter
of Americans for Democratic Ac-
ton.
Hearing the case with Chair
man Flanagan is Kenneth w.
Spencer. recently appointed men,
Der of the commission, and Col.
L. E. Cox, assistant engineer COM
missioner.
The company is represented by
F. Gloyd Await and Daryl A. Mise,
attorneys.