Evening star., 1952-06-08
Citizens Fight
Move 10 Dodge
Fare Hearings
Federation Opposes
Transit Proposal; Asks
Police, Fire Pay Rise


The Federation of Citizens
Associations last night opposed
any move to give the Capital
Transit Co. temporary fare in
crease without public hearings.
The transit firm last week asked
Congress for legislation permit
ting such increases. The civic or
ganization said such legislation
would not be in the public in
terest. No reference was made to
Capital Transit's current request
for straight 15-cent cash fares.
In another action. the fedora
ton urged 10 per cent pay in
crease for District police and fire.
men.
Expansion of music training in
the public schools also was urged.
The first tally in the fedora
tion'S city-wide membership drive
begun in February was announced
by Membership Chairman Jerome
P. Lynch. He reported 5,344 new
members have been recruited by
the individual associations.
Presented BY Transit Head.
The transit proposal was pre-
Sented to Chairman Neely of the
Senate District Committee by j.
A. B. Broadwater, Capital Transit
president.
Under the proposal, the Public
Utilities Commission would issue
"a temporary rate schedule to pro-
duce a fair return" to the transit
company. after the company
showed it wasn't getting such a
return. The schedule would be in
force three months.
Then the commission would or
der public hearings.
Chairman Mcmillan of the
House District Committee said he
would not introduce the bill.
The federation objected on the
ground that patrons would be
forced to pay the higher fares
during the hearing and while evil
dence is being studied and a con-
|clusion reached, possibly a conclu-
sion which finds the proposed
higher fare unjuStified.
Backs Murray Plan.
On police salaries, the civic body
urged an increase in the minimum
pay from $3,409 to $3.50. It in
dorsed proportionate raises in all
brackets as proposed last week by
Police Supt. Robert v. Murray and
the Policemen's Association. SINH
lar increases were urged for fire.
men.
A report prepared by Mrs. Err
nest w. Howard. chairman of the
Police and Fire Committee, and
Lester H. Steinem, subcommittee
chairman, took note of the recent
scandals involving police officers.
but added that a comparatively
small number of police have been
involved.
1--WE believe that the only way
to get and hold suitable men for
these two departments is to pay
"a fair salary so that decent men
will be permitted to maintain
themselves and their families at
IA proper standard of living in a
city which repeatedly has the
highest cost of living" the report
said.
Lead in New Members.
In the membership drive, the
three associations reporting the
biggest gains were Palisades. with
1922 new members; Connecticut
Avenue. with 500, and Congress
Heights, 400. In the Palisades
group, one dues payment covers
both husband and wife, however.
The Connecticut Avenue associa-
ton leads in the number of new
dues.
Mr.. Lynch, who represents the
Brentwood Terrace association.
was elected unanimously to
the executive board, succeeding
Thomas D. Scott, who is no
longer a delegate.
In resolution, the federation
commended publication by The
Star of a weekly calendar of pend
ing District legislation and asked
that this be continued.
This was the organizations last
meeting until fall. Mrs. Henry A.
Bartlett. first vice president, pre-
sided.