Evening star., 1953-11-24
Transit Probe
Calls Citizen
Groups First
Senute Hearings
On CTc to Open
Next Tuesday
By Don S. Warren

SPOkcSLucI1 1Or ClClZeu groups IN
vited to air their grievances.
Complaints. or perhaps favor
able comments, are sought from
witnesses from nearby suburban
areas of Maryland and Virginia,
as well as the District.
But Senator Payne, Republi-
can. Of Maine, head Of the spe-
cial District subcommittee MAX
ing the inquiry, stresses that the
Tuesday hearing is for author
lied representatives Of civic and
citizens groups"
In fact, he said, he hopes wit
nesses who have complaints will
specify lines, dates and delays
and the like, rather than indulge
in general oratory.
From this series Of hearings,
he said, he hopes his subcommit-
tee will accumulate data that
can be checked by the staff OF
Ernst & Ernst, consulting engi-
neers and accountants, now en-
gagged in an engineering study OF
Streetcar and bus operations
serving Washington.
Finances Explored.
This nationally known con-
Germ, engaged to do the technical
studies for the Payne subcom-
mittee, already is wrapping UP
an accounting analysis of the
finances of the Capital Transit
Co. and the various bus lines
serving Washington.
The initial hearings are to be
held in room 303, Senate Office
Building, the hearing room OF
the Senate Banking and Cur
rency Committee. That place
was chosen because its facilities
were deemed better than those
of the District Committee and
because of fears that remodeline
work under way in the Senate
wing of the Capitol might wreck
a hearing there.
Witnesses for the Tuesday
hearing were warned they should
list themselves with the Senate
District Committee before the
close of that Office Monday aft
ernoon.
More in January.
The current series of hearings
to be followed by more early in
January, are expected to last
several days. Officials of regula-
tory commissions or the COM
panies may be heard next
Wednesday, as well as later, but
Chairman Payne said his SUBJ
committee would hear all listed
citizen spokesmen. If this pub
lie interest phase" is not con-
cluded at the opening sessions
next Tuesday, he said the carry
over witnesses would be heard
later next week.
Plans for the opening hearings
were mapped yesterday at a
closed subcommittee meeting at
tended by Senator Beall. Re-
publican, Of Maryland, and
Chairman Payne. The third
member, Senator Morse, inde-
pendent, of Oregon was out West
but had made arrangements to
be here for hearings next Tues
day and Wednesday. Govern
ment or company testimony was
planned for next Wednesday SC
he could hear that as well as
the first day citizens complaints
The initial hearings first were
planned for December 2 but
were moved up one day, to next
Tuesday. to meet the conven-
ience of Senate committeeman
Findings Undisclosed.
Chairman Payne said he coul6
not now reveal what finding:
Ernst & Ernst have made sc
far in their analytical work. But
he did say he personally il
satisfied his subcommittee prob.
ably will have some definite leg.
islative recommendations wher
the final report is drafted.
The subcommittee, he said
expects to pass Judgment on 8
lot of ideas before it makes its
report. Without indicating any
personal opinion, he listed pub
lie ownership of District street
car and bus, service as one OF
them.
Increasing wage costs of Cap
ital Transit constitute another
facet Of the problem, along with
the question Of the company's
employment practices and union
opposition to the hire of Negro
motormen and conductors.
Another is the question, al
ready explored privately to some
degree, Of the proper boundaries
OF the powers of the District
Public Utilities Commission tc
control dividends Of a regulated
utility while it is seeking in
creased consumer rates.
COngreSSmen Invited.
Some of these questions prob.
ably will be developed more fully
in January hearings.
For the opening hearing or
Tuesday, Chairman Payne said
his subcommittee is inviting
House members from areas ad.
joining Washington to make
statements. They are Repre-.
sentatives Hyde and Small o.
Maryland and Broyhill of vir.
ginia, all Republicans.
Both Mr.. Hyde and Mr.. Broy.
hill have taken leading positions
in controversies over regiona
transit service controls or a com
mission to study transportation
| problems.
Chairman Payne said one oi
the questions to be studied ir
connection with the proposed
regional control commission i: