Evening star., 1953-04-05
COP. Leaders Name
-Four Candidates For
ID. {. Utilities Post

. WI VUauAtHAWuV0 VI
D. {. Utilities Post
Four District Republicans have
been advanced as potential nom
inees for a place on the Public
Utilities Commission.
A stir in Congress over last
Fridays request for higher fares
by the Capitol Transit Co., placed
the spotlight on the utilities
commission and intensified re-
ports that the vacancy on the
commission will be filled within
q week or ten days.
Mentioned for the job are:
Herbert A. Tuohy. traffic man
ager at the Government Print
ing Office and former evaluation
engineer for utility commissions
in Illinois.
Robert E. Mclaughlin, attor-
ney and leader Of the faction
in the local Republican circles
that supported President Eisen-
hover in the prediction con-
test.
Travis T. Brown, attorney and
local Republican.
John H. Connaughton, attor-
ney and former president of the
Federation Of Citizens Associa-
tions. 80 g
District Republican leaders
probably viii suggest these four
and possibly others to the White
House within a few days. The
vacancy on the Commission was
created by the resignation of
James H. Flanagan who became
a vice president of the Transit
company.
The Commission, meanwhile, is
operating with only two men,
bers - Engineer Commissioner
Louis W.. Prentiss and Kenneth
w. Spencer, the chairman.
The Commission has before it
a new request for higher bus and
streetcar fares from the Transit
company. filed Friday. The COM
pany wants the rates increased
to 20 cents cash; five tokens for
IS cents; and the weekly pass
eliminated.
Five Bills Pending.
It also has facing it mounting
indignation in Congress and a
demand from members that no
rate hearing be scheduled be-
fore pending Investigations of
the transit firm are completed.
Five bills affecting the transit
situation are pending in Con-
greSS.
Meanwhile, Chairman Case Of
the Senate District Committee
said yesterday he found it almost
unthinkable that the commits
sion would call a rate hearing
for the transit company in face
of the pending Investigations.
Senator Case said if the COM
mission proceeds with hearings
as requested by the transit COM
pany, he intends to call the
whole matter to the attention
of President Eisenhower, if pos
sible. He added he might take
the matter to the White House
early this week.
He asserted that such proce-
dure on the part Of "a branch of
the executive department would
be mot in good taste" and also
would be Haunting the indicated
congressional intent.
Concerned Over Vacancy.
Senator Case said he also
hoped to call. President Eisen-
hower'S attention to the vacancy
on the Commission.
He pointed out that q Senate
passed resolution for an investi-
cation Of Capital Transit Co. is
now before the House Rules
Committee. He said he hoped to
take to the White House with
him Senator Payne, Republican.
of Maine, chairman of a District
subcommittee which now has
two bills before it relating to the
transit company.
One Of these, to give the Com
mission power to increase the 3
cent school fare If necessary, has
been postponed to await results
of the investigation.
The other, to establish me-
tropolitan area transportation
commission. is to be considered
by Mr.. Payne's subcommittee on
Tuesday.