Evening star., 1952-03-16
Citizens Group
Urges Expert
Transit Survey
Congress Is Petitioned
To Authorize Study
BY Trained Personnel

The Federation Of Citizens AS.
sociations last night urged Com
|gress to appoint committee from
the metropolitan area authorized
to hire experts to study the en-
tire transit situation in the WASH
ington area.
Under the proposal, the group
would report back to Congress
within one year.
The federation, in another res
olution, pledged its cooperation
in the congressional investigation
of the Capital Transit Co., and
the metropolitan area transit sit
Iuation. The federation said it
will aid by presenting testimony
Through its member bodies.
Copies of the resolution will be
sent to the chairmen of the SEN
ate and House District Commit
tees.
Public Hearings Ordered.
A subcommittee of the House
District Committee. headed by
Representative Kennedy, Demo-
lcrat, of Massachusetts,, has been
instructed to hold public hearings
on the transit problem. No date
has yet been announced for this
Industry.
Previously, the federation had
advocated that the Interstate
Commerce Commission inquire
into the metropolitan area transit
problem. The ICC said it lacks
funds and staff to conduct such
a survey, but efforts are being
made in Congress to supply it
with money for this program.
The federation resolutions were
adopted last night after John H.
Connaughton, chairman of its
Public Utilities Committee laid
the problem before the group.
Few Specific Complaints.
But he warned that only four or
five specific complaints against
Capital Transit service have been
received by this group. He said a
transit subcommittee, headed by
Arthur B. McNerney. was dis
couraged." Although appeals have
been issued to the membership to
bring forward specific instances
Iof. failure Of Capital Transit serv-
ice. the response has not been
lgreat, Mr.. Connaughton declared.
HE said any association that feels
|laggrieved should present testi-
|Imorly.
George II. Brown. delegate from
the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association. told the Federation
that his organization has been
very active in this matter" and
has gone ahead of its own ac-
cord. Thomas E. Lodge Of Ameri-
can University Park Citizens
Association told the membership
that his group is keenly interested
In the transit problem.
Beck Nomination Hit.
Unanimously, the federation
went on record favoring appoint-
Iment Of the Recorder Of Deeds by
1.-THE District Commissioners rather
than by the President as at
present.
This action was taken after the,
lfederation's treasurer, Harry N.
lStull. asserted that President Tru-
man had named man obviously
not fitted for the job. This was q
reference to President Trumans
/ nomination Of Earl Wayne Beck,
, an old Kansas City political sup
porter. to the post.
The Senate District Committee
Iby 9-to-0 roll call vote on Thurs
7 day rejected the Beck nomination.
The President then announced he
!, proposes to do nothing further
about the job. Senator Case, Re-
! publican Of South Dakota, has q
bill to have the Commissioners ap-
point the recorder.
The resolution the federation
!, adopted said the recorder should
be bona f1de resident of the Dis
trict for five years.
900 to Attend Dinner.
Jerome p. Lynch of Brentwood
Terrace Citizens Association re-
ported on behalf of the Dinner
ICommittee that 600 will attend the
function at the Mayflower Hotel
saturday night.
\ An effort to put the Federation
on record In favor of the Case
home rule bill for the District was
sidetracked. BY voice vote, the
Federation referred the question
to the Suffrage Committee for
study.
i Postmaster Roy M. North adj
Iyised the Federation in a letter
|, that he regrets he cannot comply
with its request that. late mail
collections be made after 10 pm.
In neighborhoods. He also said
he Is unable to reinState the di-
rectory service to check on incom-
pletely addressed envelopes. He
referred to the Postmaster Gem
erals April 10. 1850, oder.
Chairman johnson Of the Sem
late Commerce Committee. in q
letter read to the Federation
seeking its support Of bill to
ban liquor advertising on radio
and teleyision, contended moth
ing will bring back prohibition
quicker than the unrestricted use"
of this medium by whisky adver-
tisers.
I Federation Opposes Ban.
The Colorado Senator addressed
Ithe communication to the fedora
TONS secretary. Mrs. Edward B.
Morris. The federation already Is
on record opposing such a ban,
lcontending that the liquor in
lduStry is legitimate business and
has a right to advertise as others
lido. No action was taken on the
Senators letter last night.
/ In the letter. Senator johnson
said two groups make 1t very
dihicult to protect the public with
legislation on this subject. / refer
to the fanatical drys and the ia
Inatical VETS
/