Evening star., 1953-12-15
WIN. "a. Fare
Rise Is Vital
Now, ice Told
Delay to Threaten
Operations, Head
Of BusIine Says
BY WiIIiom A. MiIIen

Leslie l.. Altman, president
Of the Washington, Marlboro q
Annapolis Motor Lines, Inc.
told the Interstate Commerce
Commission yesterday his firm
is in grave financial straits and
needs a fare increase right now.
Three ICC commissioners, sit
ting as suspension board, took
the question of delaying the pro-
posed fare increases under adj
viSement at the close of an in
formal hearing. The increases.
generally boost of 5 cents per
zone in interstate fares, are
scheduled to go into effect to-
morrow.
The commissioners were ex-
pected to act today-to refuse
to suspend or to order an inves-
tigation into the situation, which
could take up to seven months.
holding up the fare boost in the
interim.
The three commissioners con-
Sidering the case are j. Haden
Alldredge, chairman; Anthony r.
Arpaia and Howard G. Freas.
Operations Threatened.
Spokesman for citizens groups
opposed the fare advance, but
Mr.. Altman told the commits
SionerS:
"If the company is subjected
to a suspension Of its proposed
fare increase, there is very grave
doubt as to how long the COM
pany will be able to operate.
II have personally put so much
money into the company that I
can't afford to put in any more.
And the company can't borrow
any more money"
The company's attorney, James
P. Donovan. told the commits
sioners the officers have not
drawn any salaries since Sep
tember.
Mr.. Donovan developed from
Mr.. Altman that the busline
has borrowed $4,000 to meet
current expenses and now has
deficit of $4,000. He said the
busline needs $144,000 from its
interstate fares and predicted
under the scent fare increase
requested. it will receive about
$4,000. The company is ask
ing a uniform increase of 5
cents per zone overall in inter-
state fares on most routes, al
though there is no fare change
on some.
Mr.. Altman also attacked
Government competition by di.
rect shuttle bus service, notably
between the Census Bureau at
Suitland and the main Commerce
Department building at Four
teenth and E streets NV. He
declared charter service had kept
the company alive-the running
of sightseeing buses and those
to resorts and beaches.
James w. Tanner, the COM
pany's secretary treasurer, tes-
titled about the increased costs
of gasoline, tires, insurance and
labor.
Total Raises Calculated.
A. R. Eckler, deputy director
of the Census Bureau, argued the
proposed fare increase, plus that
of Capital Transit, would cost
Federal employees at Suitland
$165 annually. He said the pro-
posed fare increase on all bus
lines would total 157 per cent.
Mr.. Eckler defended the use
of the Government shuttle bus
between Suitland and the Com
. merce Department. He said the
, Government has the right to pro-
vide services for official business
to it's employees. He made it
clear that workers do not ride
. to and from work on the shuttle
bus.
, Fred Spinks. president Of the
! Forestville Citizens Association,
! said his Executive Board unan-
imously opposed a fare increase
r and urged the company to ex-
! tend its bus service into several
! new subdivisions. He personally
suggested token system. with
a free token for each 30-cent
regular fare.
Routing Criticized.
w. L. Keisler, representing the
Kentland Citizens Association,
opposed the proposed fare in
= crease. He said the company
= has given good service. but de:
: clared the route travels a round
= about way and should be
/. Strengthened out.
: Milo j. Andre, president,
/ North Forestville Citizens Asso-
citation, declared: II cannot say
S we actively oppose this bus fare
!, increase. He said he appeared
! in response to numerous objec-
: tions, however. He deplored the
). lack Of an integrated transit
3 system. But he said if the al
e Tentative is no bus service at
all he felt I'VE would buy the
higher fares"
!, District Enya Har.;n~