Evening star., 1954-10-09
Par|eyCa|Ied
ToBoost Trade
Downtown
Merchants Asked
To Give Views on
CopitoI Transit Use


kilograms were going out
today to about two dozen of
Washington's leading merchants,
inviting them to District Build
ing conference on Wednesday to
talk about a plan to boost busi-
ness by using the Capital Tran
sit Co.
The bids were ordered issued
yesterday by Brig. Gen. Louis w.
PrentiSS, the Engineer Commis-
sioner, who asked the merchants
to meet in his Office at 10 am.
He acted after an hour-long
conference with Herbert Rich,
president of the Merchants and
Manufacturers Association; An
thony Pritchard. executive vice
president: Harold Singer, vice
president of Lansburgh'S, and E.
Cleveland Giddings, vice presi-
dent of Capital Transit.
Citing the experience of other
cities, Gen. Prentiss called in
the four and asked them to work
out some form of shoppers spe-
cial" bus and streetcar rides to
bring more customers to down.
town stores, especially during
the coming Christmas season.
Free Rides Possible.
Merchants complained that, in
previous efforts to set up some
such arrangement, they had
found Capital Transit unwilling
to compromise. But they said a
guarantee Of special service by
the company might persuade
them to agree to pay for free
rides for customers.
If such an agreement is to be
reached, Mr.. Singer said, nego-
tiations would have to be pushed
into motion by Gen. Prentlss,
who agreed to call next Wednes-
days meeting to get things
started.
Earlier, the Engineer Commis-
sioner drew the battle lines for
the first organized clash of pub
lie opinion on another phase of
the traffic -parking-transit prob
lem.
He and his fellow Commission
ers called a hearing for 10 am.
October 81 in the board room of
the District Building on any and
all phases of the city's current
parking problems.
Many Witnesses Expected.
The highly controversial sub
ject was expected to bring out a
record number of witnesses for
hearing which might run well
into the night. Those who desire
to testify were asked to notify the
office of Geoffrey NJ. Thornett,
secretary to the Board of Com
miSsionerS.
Discussing the shoppers spe-
cial" service. Gen. Prentiss told
the merchants and Mr.. Giddings
that I'VE are approaching the
time of year when people are
going to be spending more money
than at any other time.
Anything the merchants can
do to bring more people down.
town would we'll repay them"
Also, he said, the District wants
the tax such extra sales would
produce, especially in view of
increased city spending under the
new public works program.
He suggested they consider a
plan used in Buffalo, N. Y,
under which shoppers who ride
transit vehicles downtown during
the middle of the day get tickets
which entitle them to tokens for
a free return ride in a store
In which they spend over $1.98.
Two Free-Ride Cities.
In Kansas City and in Pitts
burgh, it was pointed out, mer-
chants have paid the transit
companies to cover their coin
boxes and give rides entirely free
during midday hours.
Mr.. Pritchard declared that.
in such dealings, it is usually
necessary to compromise. How
ever, he said. Capital Transit
always wants to know who's
going to pay. and it's usually the
merchants.
Gen. Prentiss suggested that
CTC might sell tokens at cut
rate to the merchants, but Mr..
Giddings pointed out that. under
rules of the Public Utilities Com
mission. this would not be posi-
BILE
Mr.. Giddings warned that
Capital Transit will not go
along for reduced tokens" and
declared such a course would
put the company on the road to
ruin.
Gen. Prentiss conceded that
1--WE want to thicken transit
travel in off-peak hours"
Top Service Suggested.
Asking for a dollar estimate
of what it might cost the mer-
chants to subSidiZe transit riders,
Mr.. Singer finally declared. IF
Capital Transit, instead of SELL
ing tokens at discount, would
pledge top service. we might be
able to work something out"
Mr.. Giddings insisted the COM
.pany is giving top service now
and would not make any money
under the plan, but promised the
firms cooperation.
Gen. Prentiss warned that, III
nobody gives, we'll wind up with
everybody losing" as business
goes out Of the District to the
suburbs.
The group agreed that invita-.
tions would be sent to the head;
of tha denartment, stores and the