Evening star., 1952-01-20
Federation Votes
ToProbeCutin
Transit Service
Combined Citizens
Groups Organize
Special Committee

An investigation OF curtailment
Of service by the Capital Transit
Co. was voted last night by the
Federation Of Citizens Associations.
The Federation authorized its
Public Utilities Committee to set
up a. subcommittee to study the
subject, collect complaints from
various citizens groups through
the city on any cutbacks in service
and hold a conference with COM
pany officials on the results.
The subcommittee will consist
Of Public Utilities Committee
Chairman John H. Connaughton,
former Federation president, Ar
thur B. McNerney. committee vice
chairman; Vernon v. Baker and
Frank C. Sakran.
Weekly Pass Increase.
The federation followed its COM
mittee recommendation and de.
cided not to ask for reconsidera-
ton of the Public Utilities Com
mission order which raised the
fare for the weekly pass from 81
to $2.10, effective at S am. today.
The cash fare remains at Is cents.
tokens three for 40 cents.
Member bodies of the fedora
ton were asked to communicate
with the chairman within two
weeks about the Capital Transit
service in their neighborhoods.
Mr.. Connaughton explained to
the federation it would be impos-
sible for the subcommittee to hold
a hearing with IS or 10 organiza-
tions represented, as that would
delay proceedings. He said he
wants to get an early conference
with Capital Transit. He said it
was not an absolute promise" to
have report back to the fedora
ton within month. but he said
the investigation would be ex-
pedited. He added that his group
wants to make an intelligent re-
port on the subject.
Route Numbers Needed.
Mr.. McNerney reminded hts
hearers that complainants must
give route numbers of vehicles and
other pertinent information.
The federation. which met in
the District Building, urged the
District Commissioners, in another
resolution, to set up a special
civilian guard force, independent
of the police, to protect school
children at dangerous traffic
crossings.
Mrs. Ernest William Howard.
chairman of the Police and Fire
Committee, who presented the re-
port. pointed out, the. Schoolboy
Patrol lacks authority to halt
traffic at intervals to insure safe
crossing.
Suitable Uniforms"
The new force would be en-
powered to halt traffic necessary
for the protection of school chill
dren. It would not exceed 200:
would be paid and wear suitable
uniforms Ito encourage respect"
Mrs. Howard told the federation
that Maj. Robert v. Murray, po-
lice superintendent. indorsed this
program. She said the Police De-
partment now has vacancies for
200 men.
The federation voted down a
motion to recommit the report
to the committee.
Adopting a report from it's Ci-
william Defense Committee, the
federation told the District Com
missioners the present installed
siren system is wholly made
quate," and said they should make
strenuous efforts" to obtain a
proper appropriation, such as the
100000 requested and suggested
thtat a "dry run demonstration"
similar to that given recently in
New York City, be held here.
School Headquarters.
The federation said the Board Of
Education should be contacted to
provide headquarters in school
buildings for area wardens. It
pointe dout IS per cent of the
active key persons for the warden
service has been recruited from
both local citizens associations and
civic associations. It asked that
FEDERAL Government officials and
industrial and commercial con-
Germs urge all employees to join
local civil defense groups.
The federation voted to onnosa
proposal to permit a change in
the building code to allow kitch-
ems up to 10 square feet to be
oullt without windows, using ar
tificial light and ventilation, A
January % hearing by the Dis
trict officials is scheduled on this
The organization also voted
approval of the action of its
president. DR.. j. Ross Veal. in
writing the president of the Fed
Grafton of Civic Associations. urs.
ing cooperation on mutual prob
lens.
Membership Drive.
Jerome P. Lynch spoke to the
federation on the forthcoming
membership drive in citizens as
sociations to start February l, He
said the District Commissioners
will support this program.
Miss Kathryn E. Bowers told
the federation that radio. tele-
vision stations, the newspapers
and religious groups are cooper
ating in the drive. She said that
after February /, District 0556
can be called for information
about dues, meetings of citizens
groups, where they are located
and other information.
Joseph A. Kaufman, chair.
man Of the dinner committee.
told the federation that plans for
the annual dinner March % at
the Mayf1ower Hotel are shaping
up. Karl K. Cover is ticket
chairman. The federation voted