Evening star., 1951-02-04
Survey Of Area
transportation
Urges Creation Of
Commission to Make
Recommendations

Recommendations
Creation by Congress of COM
prehensive Transportation Com
mission to investigate Washington
area transit conditions and make
recommendations was urged last
night by the Federation Of
Citizens Associations.
The resolution said the COM
mission should be composed Of
District. Maryland and Virginia
residents. It would investigate the
adequacy of existing facilities and
services of common carriers; the
Willingness and ability of the car
riers to transport passengers in
the future with reasonably ade-
quate service at reasonable rates;
determine whether the reorganiza-
tion of existing common carriers
or creation of additional ones are
required to assure adequate serv-
ice and the effect of traffic con-
gestion on this service and means
for reducing congestion.
The commission would have a
year in which to report to Con-
gress and recommend legislation.
It would be empowered to hire
engineers and other experts to
make comprehensive study
under the program.
Home Rule Pushed.
The federation voted down a
proposal that Congress itself or
one of its committees conduct
the transit survey.
The organization also urged
President Truman to name IAN
earnest advocate of home rule
and one active in civic affairs"
as the new District Commission
er. The federation reiterated it's
stand in favor of home rule for
the District. for national repre-
sentation and Endorsed legislation
looking to its accomplishment.
1t voted to petition President
Truman to appoint without de-
lay peoples counsel and said
his salary should be equal to
that of members of the Public
Utilities Commission. Vernon v.
Baker, chairman of the fedora
tion's Public Utilities Committee,
presented a report, which the or
ganization adopted, bearing on
these matters
Repeal of Law Urged.
The District Commissioners. in
another resolution. were urged to
seek repeal Of the personal prop
erty-tax law as it affects house,
hold goods and personal effects.
Speakers quoted the District tax
assessor as saying the staff now
used in enforcing this hard-to-
enforce portion of the law could
be better employed in applying
the business property-tax pro-
visions.
The federation was told that
only about 100000 is realized
annually from the household
goods and personal effects portion
of the law. compared with the Sc
million gained in taxes under the
personal property law here.
1t also adopted a resolution
urging erection of branch
library for Anacostia on land
acquired by the District at
Eighteenth street and Good Hope
road Sc. replacing present in
adequate facilities in a rented
store.
The federation sent back for
further study by its Public We'll
fare Committee a proposal that
would have taken negative action
on move by the Glover Park
Citizens Association to set up a
Milk Control Board here by Con-
gress.
ABC Changes Opposed.
Thomas B. Scott, Glover Park
president. charged that Chester
F. Bletch, field representative of
the Maryland Virginia Milk Pro-
ducers' Association, "a registered
lobbyist" was a member of the
Public Welfare Committee that
acted on the milk resolution. Mr..
Scott contended that MI. Bletch
had powerful influence on the
committee"
BY voice vote. the federation
rejected proposed changes in AL
coholic Beverage Control regula-
tions which would ban liquor
price advertising.
The federation also urged the
Capital Transit Co. to place route
numbers on doors of it's vehicles
to aid the travelling public.