Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-11-05
Unified Setup
Muy Construct
Own Facilities
BY FRANCIS P. DOUGLAS

Iulatory transit authority for the
whole District area to unity rates
and service.
Such a project has been at
tempted before. but has failed
because of lack of agreement
among the three jurisdictions
concerned. This time it is an
initial project of the mass trans
lportation survey for the area IN
which Virginia. Maryland and
the District are cooperating.
An overall transit operating
agency which might build rapid
transit facilities is under con-
lsideration.
These Developments in the
transit study were reported yes
lterday BY Harland Bartholomew.
chairman of the National Cap
Iital Planning Commission.
Seek Improved Service.
He said it is hoped the crea-
ltion Of an area regulatory
agency would bring improved
services by existing transit COM
panies. He added:
''As the transportation study
land plans are worked out in de-
tail during the next IL months,
lit is possible that some form Of
overall operating agency may be
shown to be desirable and neces-
Isary.
| Such an agency, for example,
would be necessary in order to
construct rapid transit facilities
and to operate or lease such IA
lcilities. 1t is not possible at this
time to forecast the manner in
which such an agency might be
created. Several possibilities are
being considered. including that
which might be set up through
AN interstate compact"
Jerome M. Alper. a consultant,
has been employed by the tram
sit study organization to make
Recommendations for legisla-
ltion on the regulatory problems
and the possible creation Of an
interstate agency.
Mr.. Bartholomew announce
ment was made at a Joint meet
ling Of the planning commission
and the Regional Planning
Council.
He said that if there is to be
rapid transit construction it
would have to be by a new
agency created for that purpose.
but. he added. this would not
come up for consideration until
next year.
The question was raised
whether rapid transit facilities
would be by rail- or bus. Mr..
Bartholomew replied that those
making the survey are thinking
of both.
| Another question was whether
amy provision would be made for
separate rights-of-way for rapid
transit on proposed new bridges.
Mr. Bartholomew said it is too
late to consider such q develop
lment in connection with the
projected Constitution Avenue
bridge.
/ The proposed Reaches Run
Bridge below the Railway Bridge
was suggested as q project with
(which to couple consideration Of
rapid transit facilities.
l Petitions for Streetcars
Petitions from the Federal Of
Citizens Associations and the
Citizens Transit Improvement
Association were presented. OPP
posing any irreVocable abandon
ment OF streetcar facilities in the
District, John A. Remou, vice
chairman of the planning COM
mission. remarked that he has
NOTED a sentimt.4t in favor Of
'Istreetcars.
4 An agreement was approved
whereby the Office Of Area De-
Ivelopment of the Commerce De-
''lpartment is to make q survey Of
the economic base of the District
AREA. The survey is expected to
provide forecasts of the possible
economic development Of the
lIarea. These would be used in
estimating future population in
preparing land use and popu-
.llation studies in connection with
1.-THE transit survey.
Pyke johnson has been added
Ito the consulting staff for the
transit survey. He formerly was
'Ihead Of the Automotive Safety
Foundation and has been ident-
Iified with many motor and high
way organizations. He is q
Washington area resident.
l.