Evening star., 1953-03-08
Senate May GET
Transit Control
Measure Soon
Situation Cont Woit,
Says Sponsor of
Regulatory Bill
By Harold B. Rogers

Dy HoIOlo o. Rogers
Legislation for control of pas
senger transportation in the
Metropolitan Area by a new
commission may be reported to
the Senate soon by the Commit
tee on Interstate and Foreign
Commerce.
This was indicated yesterday
by Committee Chairman Tobey
and former Chairman johnson,
Democrat, Of Colorado, author of
the bill.
The measure on which public
hearings were held for two days
last May, would set up the new
Washington Metropolitan Area
Transit Commission. This body
Of three commissioners would
regulate public transportation of
passengers by buses and street.
cars in the area.
Senator Tobey indicated he
may ask the committee to re-
port out the johnson bill with
out further hearings.
Realizing the mounting con-
cern among members of Congress
over policies of the management
of Capital Transit Co., Senator
Tobey said he would give sper-
sonal consideration to the mat
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The johnson bill was reported
favorably to the Senate by the
committee last session, but did
not come to vote.
Getting Worse by Hour.
Senator johnson said he was
Every much in favor" Of report
ing his bill to the Senate floor
without further hearings.
1.-THE transportation situation
here is getting more difficult. and
worse by the hour" he said.
1--WE can't wait around to see
what some one else will do," he
declared. "This bill Is the way
to get quick action. The thing
to do Is to take the bull by the
horns. Get the bill passed. The
President will select the new
commission of three members.
He will do a good job. Let's go!"
Last years measure provided
the three commissioners should
be appointed by the President,
one each from the District. Vir-
ginia, and Maryland. The new
bill calls for selection Of the
three commissioners from the
Metropolitan Area, with the re-
quirement they must have re-
sided in the area for two years.
They would be subject to Senate
confirmation.
Appointed at Large.
In a recent statement to the
Senate Senator johnson ex-
planned: Commissioners will be
appointed at large from the
Metropolitan Area to emphasize
their area responsibility rather
than responsibility to any par
ticular political jurisdiction"
Senator Johnson said "the
commission will provide for CEN
tralized responsibility for regula-
ton of interstate and intra-Dis-
trict transit movement. With
exclusive control over carriers
transporting passengers within
the District of Columbia and in
terState within the Metropolitan
Area, this agency can take direct
action to correct specific fare.
service, and financial problems
affecting the major portion Of
the traffic, and through CO.
operative action with the States
or by its own authority over in
trastate operations which ma
terially affect its interstate
regulation, establish an in
tegrated, co-ordinated transit
system throughout the Metro
politan Area.
The area includes the District,
Montgomery, Prince Georges,
Arlington and Fairfax Counties
and Alexandria and Falls
Church.
Formal Action Expected.
This development came as
members of both House and SEN
ate District Committees had un-
der consideration various moves
directed against Capital Transit.
A majority Of the Senate group
agreed last week that an inves-
tigation of the company should
be made. No formal action has
been taken. but it is expected
probably this week.
There were indications last
night that committee members
will feel out the possibility Of a
"joint effort" with the House
District committee.
Combined forces Of q Senate
and House group were suggested
last week by Senator Neely. DEM
ocrat, of West Virginia. The
ranking minority member of the
committee said he was 1000
per cent" In favor Of an inves-
tigation.
Chairman Simpson, of the
House District Committee, de-
clared he would favor q. joint
hearing or any other kind of an
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