Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-25

the successful operation Of the
Chicago Transit Authority, the
minority member Of the
House District Committee said
he understood the Chicago au-
thority ''is a going concern" If
legislation could be based on
such a plan for Washington, Mr..
Simpson said it should be care
fully considered by Congress.
and probably would pass.
Representative O'Hara, Re-
publican of Minnesota, appar-
emily somewhat surprised at the
developments here, emphasized
that "the public will have to
have public transportation"
He preferred operations by
private enterprise, he said, but
added, IF that doesn't work
out we want to be very careful
as to what kind of operations
are authorized
Representative HYDE, Repub-
lican of Maryland, said he felt
the District Commissioners plan
for a public transit authority
is the best alternative" How
ever, he said he personally
favored operations by private
enterprise
But in view Of the difficulties
encountered by the city heads
in getting private capital to
handle the problem. he said it
appears that a public authority
may have to be set up.
Mr.. Hyde said his long study
of the situation here brought
him to the conclusion some time
ago that if the public was to
receive the service it wants. at
fares it is willing to pay, two
things would have to be done.
Either private capital would
have to be given tax relief and
some concessions to continue OPP
erations, or a public authority,
such as the ones in Chicago or
Cleveland, eventually would have
to take over.
It would be difficult to get a
tax relief measure through Con-
gress, he explained. The Com
seem to be unable to
make a deal with private CAPT.
tai, so the city heads. he said,
now are adopting the only course
they reasonably can under the
circumstances.
A revenue bond issue to A.
nance such as authority here,
Mr.. Hyde pointed out. would be
the proper approach. since it has
been successful in other cities.
Legislation to authorize the city
or the authority
to float such bonds, Mr.. Hyde
thought, also should include APP
prevail of a franchise to operate
in the city.
Representative Davis, Demo-
crat Of Georgia, said he opposed
the legislation killing the Capt.
tai Transit Company's charter
and franchise.
Il voted against that bill in
its original form. and also after
it came out Of conference" he
Il always thought it was a poor
way to settle a strike" he said"
Declaring he would not COM
ment now on the proposed public
transit authority, Mr.. Davis said.
however, that 1t is possible such
an authority would run up
against the same kind of obsta-
Giles confronting private enter
prise.
Representative AuchinclOss,
Of New Jersey. said
Congress will take a long look"
at whatever legislation is sub
mitted by the commissioners to
a public transit author
ity empowered to issue bonds to
finance public transportation
here. He preferred to make no
comment on the merits Of the
proposed plan until details of
the commissioners proposals are
all disclosed.
Representative Harris, Dem
ocrat of Arkansas. said he was
surprised to learn the District
Commissioners have not been
able to arrange for another firm
to take over operation of WASH
ington's public transportation
when Capital Transit's charter
and franchise expire.
The Commissioners wanted
authority to terminate the CTC
charter" he said, land they got