Evening star., 1952-05-22
Transit Solution
In D. {. Called
Area Problem
Creation Of Authority
To Regulate Ia
Companies Proposed
By Don S. Worren

Oy OUU ,. VOITeU
Metropolitan Washington's head
aches over transit service AM
fares can be cured only if the.
are treated as one regional prob
lem.
This appears to be the con
sensus Of citizen pleas beini
poured into the record of the Sen
ate Commerce Committee, nov
considering corrective legislation
Just how to do it still is undel
debate.
One proposal is for a directive
and funds for the Interstate Com.
merce Commission to make a de.
tailed survey of routes, fares anc
services in and near Washington
Feasibility Questioned.
Something of a damper was
thrown on this by statements from
1CC members. They doubted that
the ICC would have sufficient au-
thority to go into local problems
They also questioned if the ICC
could enforce its findings.
An alternative proposal, ac-
corded general backing, is a meas
ure to permit compacts among the
District, Maryland and Virginia
for regional controls. This would
set the stage for creation of a
Metropolitan Transit Authority.
Chairman johnson of the Com
merce Committee regards this as
the real answer"
Control Body Suggested.
A third suggestion was ad-
vanced by Edmund D. Campbell
an Arlington County leader, now
one Of the candidates for election
to the House from Virginia's new
10th district. It was that Congress
should create a regional utilities
control body-by a measure not
needing ratification by Maryland
and Virginia.
Some lawyers shook their heads
over this, but it attracted interest
as possible means of quick ac-
tion. Chairman johnson called it
a new approach" that might
prove important.
We'll take a look at it," he
said.
The District-State compact idea,
Its sponsors agree, will take some
time. The Virginia Legislature is
not to meet again for two years.
There has been a more general
agreement, however, over dimin-
ishing services and rising transit
rates. To this could be added COM
plants over failure of the ICC, the
District, Maryland and Virginia
commissions to get together to
solve the regional problems.
Control Now Scattered.
Protests against piecemeal con-
trolls were highlighted by Gerald
j. Glassman. aide to the Arlington
County Public Utilities Commits
sion. He emphasized that there
are IA operating companies IN
Greater Washington, whose con-
troll Of services and rates is scat
tered among four regulatory
bodies.
The result. he said, has been in
adequate service. a threat of a
breakdown of mass transportation.
Fewer Persons Ride Now.
He cited these figures:
Since 1947 the population of
the Metropolitan Area has in
creased by 6 per cent or more,
but the number of revenue pas
sengers carried by the four major
transit companies decreased by 80
per cent.
Also, vehicle miles of service
by the four companies decreased
by 10 per cent, but fares in
creased by so to 100 per cent.
He said differentials in fares as
between District and suburban
service. for trips of the same
length handicap mass transit use
and promote private Car opera
ton.
Such differentials also were
pinpointed by Fred w. Cast of
the Prince Georges County Civic
Federation.
He said a bus ride from Chev-
erly, Md. to the Pentagon in
Arlington County requires 80
minutes, A cents and four trans
fers. BY auto, he said, it takes
40 minutes and a cost of Is cents
for gasoline and maintenance.
Giving other examples, Mr..
Cast calculated that to go by
bus from Arlington to Suitland,
Md, requires 95 minutes, three
transfers and A cents, whereas
the trip can be made by auto in
IS minutes.
Sees "ChaOs" in Transit.
Edward j. Waters, one Of the
Prince Georges County commits
sioners. said the transit situation
in his area is bordering on
chaos" He said he fears some
families are being priced out of
transportation.
Other witnesses:
Mason A. Butcher, director OF
public works, Montgomery Coun-
ty: "The transit situation is not
local or only a State matter; II
should be solved on an area
basis"
Samuel E. Stonebraker, speak.
ing for the Montgomery County
Civic Federation and the Bethesds
Chamber of Commerce: "Tht
streets are clogged almost to !:
standstill." He questioned whether
the ICC is equipped or qualified
to make the proposed survey.
Robert w. Coz, chairman O.
the Arlington County Board: