Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1952-12-19
Planners Urge
Top-Leve| Study
Of Transport
Propose Survey Of
Entire D. c. Area by
Presidential Board
By George Beveridee

Presidential appointment of a
high-level committee to study the
Washington areas critical prob
lens of mass transportation was
urged today by the National Cap
ital Planning Commission.
The planners said such a study,
unprecedented in scope, must look
to the development of the entire
area and come up with some def
mite regulations for the future.
They said it must also put
emphasis on problems of increased
use OF automobiles, as we'll as Of
adequate transit facilities.
The new NCPC proposal came
in the form of approval of recon-
mendations made by the city
planning consultants, Harland
Bartholomew & Associates, of st.
Louis The consultants were
hired to suggest the best ap-
proach to the problem.
Not Clear on Legislation.
It was not clear whether legis-
lation will be sought in connec-
ton with the proposal; nor have
details been worked out for trans
hitting it to the White House.
Basically. however, the report
called for appointment of a seven
member group to explore all
phases of mass transportation,
and submit a report in from IL
to is months. Among other
things. the report said. the group
should deal with special studies
Of finance, fare structure and
related problems" 1t added:
Amy study and plan also must
recognize that its accomplishment
can be realized only through some
form of unified administrative
control"
A basic purpose of the commit
tee, the report said, should be to
help the NCRC and the National
Capital Regional Planning Coun-
Gil meet legal responsibilities in
coping with mass transportation
problems.
Specify Qualifications.
Members of the committee, as
|envisioned by the report, would
include three citizen members.
and: one experienced lin the de-
sign of metropolitan mass trans
portation systems" one familiar
with the economics of automotive
Transportation" one familiar with
community planning. and one eX-
perienced in municipal govern
ment and current administrative
problems"
The report pointed out that
plans for public transportation
here have Jagged behind highway
and parking plans. and made
these points:
/. Bus service is provided by
several companies, each operat-
ing IN areas of relatively strict
boundaries.
2. Despite pyramiding growth
Of the suburbs, almost half of the
Government and private employees
In the Districts central business
area drive cars to work.
3. The area. by 1880. can ex-
pect a population of about 2 mil
lion persons and IAN even gree ter
proportionate increase in the
number of passenger automo-
biles."
Situation in Prospect.
The report said that. as a result
OF the heavy automobile use,
serious congestion has arisen,
speed has been reduced, travel
time increased correspondingly
and saturation is in prospect in
the near future"
ANY. study and plan of mass
transportation now must face
squarely the fact that many. if
not a majority. apparently now
prefer individual automobile
transportation to any form of
mass transportation facility, even
though improved facilities might
attract goodly percentage Of
those now using automobiles, the
report asserted.
Growth Largely Implanted.
Beyond the technical questions
of actual facilities. rate regulation
and financing, the report de-.
clared. is 1.-The fundamental ques-
ton of the Federal interest in
this. the Nations Capital City"
tits growth was carefully
planned in the earlier years." the
report continued. To-day, growth
is scattered and largely Implanted
in any effective way.
1.-THE situation calls for a new
broad. gagged look at our Federal
City and its transportation prob
ems"