Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-25
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would need about six months
for the manufacture Of 1900
buses-unless it bought up the
etc equipment.
Others, stressed the need for
serious and considered action on
any move so important as setting
up some form of public opera
ton.
From the interviews came
these reactions:
SENATE
Senator Nicely, Democrat of
West Virginia, chairman of the
District Committee and one of
the leaders in the drive to GUST
the Wolfson-controlled Capital
Transit Co.
II have been keeping a little
in touch through newspapers
and won't want to decide any
thing until get back to Wash
ington
But in general I would say
that if the Public Utilities Com
mission has found none of the
proposals to be satisfactory and
If they are coming up with a
public authority plan. then that
means going to municipal own
erShip.
II would much prefer private
operation. I still hope that sat-
isfactory private operation can
be achieved. If that can't be
done. then I would have to GO
along with some form of public
authority.
Restore the franchise to the
Capital Transit Co.? You mean
proposal to restore the fran
chiSe to the Wolfson gang?
II would oppose that to the
last ditch. and you can quote me
as to that in all languages in
GLIDING the Scandinavian"
Senator Morse, Democrat of
Oregon. who was chairman of
the special transit subcommittee
that last summer probed into the
transit strike issues:
Il am still very much in favor
Of a transit operation by private
enterprise. 1t is perfectly obvi-
GUS that the District would be
much better of with an efficient
operation by private enterprise
than it was under the milking
system that prevailed prior to
the action of Congress, lifting
the franchise of the Wolfson
group with its public-be damned
attitude.
There is so much talk in the
newspapers and by the news
papers about giving the District
home rule. Those of that be-
lief ought to get together and
practice the true home rule
spirit by getting behind their
commissioners and the utilities
commission.
II do not share the view that
there is no hope left for private
enterprise to carry on transit
service after next August IA. I
repeat. this is a matter that
should be settled by the people,
operating through the Commits
sioners and the utilities COM
mission.
THE fact that a half-dozen
groups submitted proposals for
taking over from the Capital
Transit Co. showed a manifest
interest in private operation. All
such possibilities should be ex-
hausted before any alternative is
adopted.
"As to the suggestion that the
CTC be given a renewed fran
chise, say that it is obvious that
the Wolfson syndicate is dis
qualified for rendering public
transportation service"
Senator Bible, Democrat of
Nevada: IF private capital
can't come up with an acceptable
plan, then where could we go
but to some form of public au-
thority?
THE whole situation seems
very disturbing. This should be
made the first order of business
when Congress meets again.
Il have been away for some
time. will be back in a week
I have a District headache OF
my own-the new revenue bill
for the District, which has its
own urgency.
But as to the transit problem
I will want to get all the facts
Until I do. I can't say whether
there should be any revision OF
thought about giving another
franchise to the etc. There are
too many unknown factors"
Senator Gore, Democrat Of
Tennessee: "I'd prefer private
operation if that can be ar
ranged, but the needs Of the
people would come ahead Of my
personal preference.
If 1t is impossible to obtain a
satisfactory private capital op.
Grafton, then perhaps there
would be no other choice. I hope
there still is a chance. II tina,
fails, then I'd favor the develop
ment of an acceptable form Of
public ownership undertaking."
Senator Mcnamara, Democrat
Of Michigan: There was no in
dication in discussions last July
and August by anybody that the
mn s3 3. b VI #: III.