Evening star., 1953-05-03
Leaders Expect
Ear|yChoice for
Utilities Post
May Come This Week;
a LocoI Republicans
Are Still in Running

the vacancy on the Public Utili-
ties Commission soon. probably
this week. Four candidates still
are in the running for the post.
Being considered by local Re-
publicans are: Herbert A. Tuohy.
Government Printing Office traf-
flc manager and former evalua-
ton engineer for Illinois utility
commissions; Robert E. Nc
Laughlin, attorney and Eisen-
hover supporter; Travis T.
Brown. attorney. and John H.
Connaugh ton. attorney and
former president Of the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations.
Members Of Congress concerned
over Washington's transporta-
ton problems, including the
controversy over the Capital
Transit Co., are looking forward
hopefully to appointment of a
new commissioner.
Capitol Transit Criticized.
Chief charges in Congress have
been directed against policies of
the transit company in increas-
ing dividends while asking for
increased fares.
Legislation of various kinds to
improve the transportation situa-
ton here appears to be facing
either open opposition or delay
of some sort on both sides Of the
Capitol.
A measure to set up three
member commission to regulate
public transportation in the
Metropolitan area is slated to be
called up in the Senate when
it is reached on the calendar,
probably Wednesday, has been
approved by two committees:
Interstate and Foreign Com
merce, and the District of CO.
lumbia.
, Probe Action Delayed.
Designed to provide regula-
ton of both intra- District and
interstate public passenger tlans-
portation by streetcars, buses and
taxicabs, it is strongly opposed
by the Virginia Corporation
Commission, and the two Virginia
Senators.
Legislation for a joint Con-
gressional committee investigs-
tion of Capital Transit Co. has
passed the Senate. but has reen
pending for some time before
the House Rules Committee,
without action.
The Rules Committee also has
before it a similar resolution by
Chairman Simpson of the House
District Committee.
Dividend Bill Opposed.
A bill requiring the Public Util-
tiles Commission to prevent
declaration of dividends by any
local utility if such dividends
would impair its capital struc-
ture recently met opposition
when mentioned at a closed
meeting of the House District
Committee.
Legislation for a 9-member
presidentially appointed COM
mission to make sweeping study
of all metropolitan area prob
lens, including transportation,
has been approved by a House
District subcommittee, but is still
awaiting full District Committee
action.
A Senate District subcommit-
tee is sitting tight on a bill re-
queSted by Capital Transit to
increase the Scent fare school
children.
Fund Bill Up This Week.
Appropriations for the District
Government will come up this
week for action on the Senate
floor and hearings before a House
fluids subcommittee.
The Senate may act within a
few days on supplemental ap-
preparation bill carrying $1,351.-
648 for the District the rest of
this fiscal year ending June 80.
The Senate Appropriations
Committee restored $78.285
stricken b ythe House from the
measure for civil defense here.
and raised to the budget request
of $4,000 an item for veterans
services, which had been cut to
$4,000 by the House.
When this emergency legis-
lation is passed by the Senate
it will 60 back to the House.
which could either take the Sem
ate amendments, but more
likely will insist on conference
over the differences in the two
versions of the measure.
Budget Hearings to Start.
The Districts $147.8 million
budget for the fiscal year Begin
ming July / will come before a
House appropriations subcom-
mittee at 10 am. Tuesday for
hearings.
Subcommittee Chairman Will
son plans executive sessions
each morning to listen to JUS
tifications presented by the
District Commissioners and de-
partment heads.
But a new system offering
more opportunity for the public
to present it's views has been
adopted. Three night sessions
have been scheduled for pm.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs
day.