Evening star., 1955-11-24

in the compact to assure that a.
ma iority bloc would not develop
within the commission which
would foster and promulgate
policies antithetical to the in
terest OF the minority member.
"The right to cause the dis
solution Of the compact affords
necessary protection. without i'm
posing limitations on the normal
standards Of action by the COM
mission, and. moreover. would be
a positive force opposing the de-
velopment Of provincial attitudes
and, conversely. removing the
concept Of political boundaries
from area regulation"
Outlines Financing
Explaining how the commits
sion should meet its expenses.
Mr.. Alper says: THE budget
would be prepared by the COM
mission and submitted to the
states for approval at such time
and for such period as may De
requested by each State. The ap-
Iproval by each State OF the
budget, pursuant to the proce-
Idures established by each State
therefore, would he required.
He suggests that the contriou-
| tion of each jurisdiction be based
on a formula rejecting popula-
ton in the Washington metro
luolitan area. II the Federal Gov
Iernment should join in as a
member, he says. 1t might wen
carry half the cost.
Board ON Traffic
/ Mr.. Alper also proposes that
ithe compact provide for Traftic
and Highway Board to be COM
posed of the heads of the traffic
and highway departments Of the
District Of Columbia, OF the
states, and Of the counties and
cities encompassed within the
metropolitan district. In addi-
ton, a representative from the
National Capital Planning Com
mission would be a member OF
this board. :. The chairman Of
the compact commission would
he the chairman Of the board"
Mr.. Alper declares: ut Is not
desirable or feasible
to give the. transit commission
direct power over trafiic and
highways. However. 1t Is essen
tial that the traffic and high
way needs and requirements OF
transit be made a matter OF ofti-
cial governmental concern and
that the transit regulatory
agency. which has responsibility
for providing an adequate
transit system. be given an in
fiuential voice in determining
traffic and highway policies.
"The policy objective would be
to give transit preferred posi-
ton in the use of public
thoroughfares. to the extent
practicable, for the purpose Of
creating a balanced system OF
transportation where the auto
mobile and transit would do the
Jobs for which they are best
suited. These objectives can be
achieved through the Traffic
and Highway Board"
Ownership Possibilities
The possibility Of having the
commission take over ownership
of the transit systems is covered
in Mr.. Alper's discussion of
amending the compact, which
he says would at least require
action by the Virginia and Mary
land legislatures - and perhapsl
even by Congress on behalf Of
the District.
Possible necessity Of public
ownership of a bus system tol
replace Capital Transit Co. when
1t goes out of business next Au-
gust IA has been suggested III
the District Public Utilities
Commission fails in its present
efforts to find a private successor.
Flexible Compact
Mr.. Alper's report also says
"The interstate compact could
be adapted to the construction,
acquisition, ownership, operation
or leasing of terminal facilities,
rolling stock or entire transit
systems.
IF the compact initially ere
ated only the regulatory COM
mission and 1t were later desired
to create a public authority, this
could be done by an amendment
TO the compact creating. within
the framework of the compact, a
body corporate and polite, en-
powered to own and operate