Evening star., 1955-11-18
Action Delayed
On Bids 10 Run
Capital Transit
Choice Of Operator
Is Expected to Be
Mode in January

ne OlSttGb EuuilC O6llltles
Commission today postponed
possibly until January-its selec-
ton of transit operator to take
over when the Capital Transit
franchise dies next August IA.
This announcement was made
at a membership meeting of the
Washington Board of Trade,
whose president, Edward r. Carr,
said in a statement Of policy that
the organization favors a pri-
vate enterprise operation. If
that is impossible. the board
wants a transit authority A.
nanced through revenue bonds.
When it scheduled today's
meeting on "The Transit Situa-
tion" at the Mayfiower Hotel.
the board expected the utilities
commission would have reached
decision on a successor to Cap
ital Transit.
Working on Details
But in a statement announcing
postponement of selection, the
PUG said sit is fair to indicate
now that at the present time no
group has placed a plan before
the commission that the commits
sion can accept as a oasis for
granting a permit
Explaining that sthe issues in
volved are too important to be
sacrificed on the altar II time, Z
the commission said 1t was
equally fair to indicate that de-
tails are being worked out which
bid fair to result in the awarding
Of permit to one Of the apph-
cants now under consideration.
Five applicants are still beng
considered for private ownership
of a transit system.
Trade Board. Statement
In the Board of Trades state
ment of policy, Mr.. Carr said:
First. in our judgment it is
possible to continue operating
mass transit during the foresee-H
able future as a private enter
prise. We would like to see that
done. The District of Columbia
government holds the same view
I'VE are hopeful that q solid
and acceptable private proposal
viii be developed and selected as
the transit operating agency.
However. II no acceptable
private proposal Is submitted.
then obviously these essential
services must necessarily be pro-
yided through government.
In that connection We
strongly recommend that the
District Government accelerate
its studies as to the best method
Of accomplishing this purpose.
giving special consideration or
favorable consideration to what
appears to us at this moment
To be the best method Namely,
d transit authority financed
through private bonds and oper-
ated as nearly as possible like a
private business. "
Must Prepare legislation
The commission said it was
mindful of the need to be pre-
pared for necessary legislation
when Congress convenes next
January. The commissions en-
tire statement follows:
"The Public Utilities Commits
sion has looked forward to the
possibility as of this date Of
having screened the applications
remaining before 1t for the
operation of a mass transit sys-
tenn in the District Of Columbia
and its enEirons and making q
public announcement as to its
finding and issuing q notice OF
a public hearing as q basis for
the granting Of a permit for this
purpose.
1T lis now perfectly apparent
that the requests of some Of the
applicants for additional time
and the time necessary for the
proper appraisal Of the data
before we leave no alternative
but the carrying forward Of the
date Of decision. The desirability
Of having this a venture Of
private enterprise is recognized
by this commission and because
Of what we conceive OF as our
obligation in this regard. we are
making strict original require
ments Of all applicants and the
Continued on Page AS, Col. 4