Evening star., 1952-01-06
Citizens Group
Hits Policies Of
Capital Transit
Federation Opposes
Larger Buses, Calls
Service inadequate

Service inadequate
The Federation Of Citizens AS
ISOLATION last night expressed
strong opposition to the proposed
purchase of $50 larger buses by
the Capital Transit Co.
In addition, the group meeting
at the District Building castigated
the company for what it termed
poor schedules and demanded
more frequent service.
The motion, introduced by Mrs.
Neal Lynch of the Progressive
Citizens Association, declared
existing traffic dangers and con-
gestion would be materially in
creased by the circulation of these
unwieldly vehicles through already
overcrowded streets, and the trend
of current planning would be re-
versed."
Trial Period Skipped
Ralph W.. Donnelly charged
that when the company intends
to purchase $50 buses, that takes
it out of the realm of an expert
ment. The trial period has been
skipped"
Mrs. Lynch's motion asserted
that drivers, already overworked
by making change, selling passes,
issuing transfers, answering in
quiries, etc." would be unable to
safely handle the larger vehiclss.
The resolution declared "the
best interests of the transit-rid-
ing public would be served by more
frequent service with smaller
buses
Service ASsailed.
To this it charged that "it has
been the publicly declared policy
of the Capital Transit Co., since
its change of ownership two years
ago. to charge its passengers
higher fares for less satisfactory
service in order to promote the
market quotations of its stock and
to increase dividends to its stock
holders"
The chairman of the federation's
Public Utilities Committee was
directed to oppose the transit
company's move for bigger buses
and to fight for more frequent
service.
The group also voted to oppose
a request by the State Department
to use Metropolitan Police to
guard foreign embassy and other
buildings.
"The federation stands unal-
terably opposed to the use of uni-
formed men of the Metropolitan
Police Force for Federal and in
ternational assignments, other
than routine or occasional duty"
the statement said.
Cost To District Cited.
1t also disapproved any effort to
use Park Police for this purpose.
asserting "the cost burden, di-
rectly and indirectly, is placed on
the District of Columbia"
Most of the 31a-hour meeting
was spent wrangling over whether
the federation's Public Utilities
Committee chairman, John H.
Connaughton, should intervene in
a hearing before the Public Util-
tiles Commission on an increase in
rates asked for by the Washington
Gas Light Co. The hearing is
scheduled for 10 am. Wednesday
in the District Building.
A resolution presented by Frank
C. Sakran was considered. It
stated that the Chairman of the
Public Utilities Committee be
authorized to intervene at the gas
rate hearing on behalf of the
federation.
Question Defeated.
Then the entire question was de-
|feated for the time being when
a resolution to table the whole
matter was passed.
Herbert P. Leemans, former
president of the federation, told
the gathering it would reflect on
the federation If the chairman did
not appear at the hearing be-
cause petition had already been
submitted by him to intervene
before the commission.
In two different motions, the
meeting reversed itself and de-
cided to take the matter of inter-
vention in the gas company case
from the table and to approve the
action Of the chairman in his
petition to intervene.
Joseph A. Kaufman, chairman
of the dinner committee, an
nounced that the annual dinner
would be held March % at the
Mayflower Hotel.
Jerome P. Lynch, chairman Of
the membership committee, an
nounced that a CITY, wide member
ship drive would be held during
the month of February.