Evening star., 1953-09-10
Public Voices
Grievances on
Transit System
Complaints Flood
Commission Hearing
On Fare Ruise
BY John w. Stepp

The present membership of the
District Public Utilities Commits
sion, for the first time last night
came face-to-face with the voice
of the people i'll a session thai
reverberated with grievances
against the Capital Transit Co.
Called to accommodate random
public witnesses, the eXtraordi-
nary night hearing theoretically
was aimed to shed light on the
current rate increase proceedings
From the start, however, the
hearing developed into a listing
OF complaints ranging from in
adequate service to simple re-
luctance to paw higher fares.
Only one witness, Robert E
StrombeTg, a Government ac.
countant, supported the com.
pany S request for a 2O-cent cash
fare. However. Mr.. Stromberg
wanted a 50 weekly pass anc
tokens six for $1.00.
Seek Acceptable Finding.
The company wants to drop
the weekly pass and raise cash
fares to 20 cents and token fares
to five for 95 cents.
When the 81. and final witness
had finished testifying at 1890
pm. in the presence of 100 spec
tators, Commission Chairman
Robert E. Mclaughlin declared
somewhat Wearily:
"We are doing the most thor
ough job we know how.
"On both sides, very eminent
authorities have been put on the
witness stand, and we assure you
that we are going to do the very
best job we can to protect the
interests of the public. We are
gong to try to come out with
a result that the people of the
District will accept"
When Mr.. Mclaughlin Sug-
geSted resumption on September
%, Company Attorney F. G.
Await expressed disappointment.
Earlier Date Desired.
This date is not agreeable to
me-" Mr.. Await said. I'VE had
hoped we would not have to wait
until so late a date" Earlier.
the veteran utilities lawyer had
fervently declared: This is the
most bitterly fought rate case
have ever been in"
Chairman Mclaughlin, by way
of concession, said he would de-
fer fixing the date for the next
session. pending further discus
sion with his colleagues. Brig.
Gen. Louis w Prentiss, the En-
gineer Commissioner, and Robert
Weston.
AS both company and COM
mission attorneys leaned glumly
on the counsel table, jotting an
occa sional note or reading the
evening newspaper, this was
among the testimony heard in
the District Building Board
Room:
John L. Lincoln, Progressive
Citizens of Georgetown and
Georgetown Citizens Associa-
toni don't see why you
should rule on the rate petition
until after the Senate inveSti-
cation of transit is completed
If the company had pursued a
more prudent dividend policy ii
would have more money in the
till"
Mrs. Marie F. Maddox, attor-
ney-"People will start riding
more tsXicabs because they won II
be much more expensive than
buses and streetcars."
Maurice S. RubinStein, 143C
Holly street N.W.-"AlI they have
been thinking Of is putting more
money in their pockets at the
expense of the riders. They get
increases and give you nothing -
Mrs. BransOn G. McIIIwee, 531
Quintana place N.W.-"Buses
and street cars are poorly ven
tilated. dangerously overcrowd-
ed. All liquor advertisements
should be removed. How much
money are they taking in from
brewers for this demoralizing in
f1uence. Riders don't pay to be
insulted."
Anthony HaritOs, 4O01 Harri-
son street N.W.-"The pass is
convenient. My wife says it is
especially convenient when she
goes places and wants to have
lunch on the way"
Matthew I. Jefferson, Pleasant
Plains Civic Association-"We
have to go to-the Utilities Com
mission, regardless of whether
it is Republican or Democrat,
for good will and fairness"
James A. Howard, Deanwood
Civic Association-"If the rate
of return is inadequate, it is so
because of the company's man.
power shortage and because the
surplus profits are used up in
overtime payments which could
be eliminated if the local labor
force were used to fullest extent,
irrespective of race"
Eugene Goodrich, attorney
Through artful manipulation
the value of Capital Transit
stock has been catapulted three
fold"
Bernard J. McManus, 2316
Green street Sc. Whats
wrong with the paSS?"
Mrs. Beatrice P. Hodges, S29
Jefferson street N.W.-"Oh,
goodness gracious-I don't ex-
pect service after "a years.
just hope it doesn't get worse. ="
The Rev. Thomas E. Keys,
1926 Twenty fourth street Sc
Every time we get a fare in
crease, We get worse service. No,
I don't want to see Capital
Transit get any more of my
money"