Evening star., 1953-04-03
Congress Members
Believe Probe Should
Precede Fare Raise
BroyhiII and Hyde
Soy Transit Increase
Is Now inappropriate

First reaction in Congress to-
day to the new request of the
Capital Transit Co. for higher
fares was that the pending in
vestigation Of the company
should come first.
The Senate has passed a reso-
luton calling for a sweeping
probe Of public transportation.
The House Rules Committee is
to take the matter up next, prob
ably after the Easter recess.
Representative Broyhill. Re
publican, of Virginia said that
whether the new fare increase
was justified or not lit would be
a most inappropriate time to
grant any increase when the
joint congressional hearings on
transportation problems are
pending"
Would Be Joint Hearings.
The inquiry would be con-
Quoted by a joint committee Of
the Senate and House District
Committees. ,..
Mr.. Broyhill suggested that
some findings by the Congress
sional investigators might lead
to revocation of any fare in
crease"
Mr.. Broyhill has a bill pending
before a House District subcom-
mittee authorizing a study by a
presidentially-appointed COM
mission of the whole problem of
passenger carriers, bridges and
highway facilities in the metro
politan area. This bill probably
will come up for public hearing
after the House returns April 13.
Hyde Suggests Delay.
Representative Hyde, Repub-
ican, of Maryland, said that any
action by the Public Utilities
Commission ought to be held up
until after the congressional
investigation.
MIR. Hyde, who has repeatedly
complained of the transit COM
pany's reduction of service in
Montgomery County, part of his
congressional district, said he has
asked to serve on the investigate
ing group.
Senator Payne, Republican, of
Maine, who is the likely choice
to head the Senate District Com
mittee wing of the proposed
transit inquiry, said:
MY only comment would be
that certainly hope that the
Public Utilities Commission will
withhold any decision on the fare
increase until it is determined
finally if the joint House Senate
survey is to be made into the
whole scope of the operations of
the Capital Transit Co. and 9TH
er transportation services in this
area. Such information as would
be Of great value in the deter
mination of these questions.
Senator Payne said he saw no
reason why the PUG should not
proceed with its own hearings on
the new company request.
Simpson Points to Inquiry.
Chairman Simpson, of the
House District Committee, said
the question of increased fares
was up to the PUG, but he, too,
pointed to the pending investi-
cation. He said he had asked
the House Rules Committee for
a hearing as early as possible on
the resolution already passed by
the Senate.
Representative Simpson, Re-
publican of Illinois, has criticized
the company on the House floor
in the past. He has pending a
bill that would prevent any pub
lie utility here from declaring
dividends which would impair its
capital structure.
Representative Tale. Repub-
lican of Iowa, who would be a
member of the joint investigat-
ing committee, said:
Anybody has the American
right to ask. To get it is another
matter"
Mr.. Tale is chairman of the
House District Subcommittee on
Public Utilities.