Evening star., 1953-05-09
Area Transit Agency
Advocates Plan 10
Push Bill in House
By Harold B. Rooers


Senate-passed legislation for a
Metropolitan Area Transit Com
mission to regulate passenger
carrying utilities in Greater
Washington will be pushed by its
advocates in the House.
Representative Hyde, Republi-
can, of Maryland. said he will
seek consideration of the meas
ure and his own amendments by
the House Interstate and Foreign
Commerce Committee.
The Senate bill, passed yester-
day afternoon by voice vote, is
expected to be sent to the House
Commerce Committee, where a
similar bill by Mr.. Hyde has been
pending for some time.
Mr.. Hyde, a member of the
House District Committee, said
he plans to confer soon with
Chairman Wolverton of the
House Interstate Committee on
procedure:
Wants to Clarity Bill.
The Maryland legislator, an
attorney from nearby Montgom-
cry County, explained he favors
the Senate measure but wants to
add technical amendments to
clarity it. His amendments do
not change the form or powers
of the Senate bill, he said, but
would strengthen its constitu-
tionality and clarity its juris-
diction.
bill.
At the House Interstate Com
mittee, 1t was learned the legis-
lation will be given every ap-
propriate attention"
Representative O'Hara, Re-
publican, of Minnesota, a men,
ber of both the District Com
mittee and the interstate group,
said he will seek early hearings
on the Hyde bill.
On the other hand, another
District Committee member,
Representative Broyhill. Repub-
lican, of Virginia, has come out
in opposition to the Hyde meas
ure.
Wants Broad Probe.
The Virginian prefers his own
legislation for long-range,
sweeping investigation of all area
problems, including transporta-
ton. highways and bridges, by
a Presldentially appointed COM
mission of nine members. His
measure has been approved by
a House District subcommittee
and is awaiting action by the
full District committee.
The Senate passed it's area
commission bill yesterday. after
nearly an hours debate, and
sent it to the House.
The principal objector to the
bill was Senator Robertson,
Democrat. of Virginia. He con-
tended the Virginia Corporation
Commission, which regulates
transportation in the State. had
presented valid opposition to the
bill.
The measure, he told the SEN
ate. would lay needless expense
on the carriers. The Virginia
commission had received insuffi-
cient notice of hearings on the
measure, he claimed. He sum-
marlzed objections of the Vir-
GINA regulatory body, and
charged that the new commits
sion would be a duplication of
regulatory agencies.
Prefers BrOyhill Bill.
The Broyhill bill for a sweep
ing study of the area was a
more sensible approach" to the
problems of transportation in
the area, Senator Robertson in
sisted.
Senator Johnson, Democrat,
Of Colorado. sponsor of the SEN
ate bill, contended transporta-
ton troubles and competing sys-
TENS across State lines have
made passenger carrier service
progressively worse over the
years. with higher and higher
rates. For six years, he told
the Senate. the Commerce Com
mittte has been trying to solve
the problem only to be baked.
Just last year. he said. the Vir-
ginia Legislature voted against
a bill for interstate compacts.
Defending the johnson bill on
the Senate floor were Chairman
Case Of the House District Com
mittee and Senator Payne, Re-
publican. Of Maine. chairman Of
District subcommittee. They