Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-01-10
City Heads Moy Get
Temporary Powers

The proposed transit authority
legislation being drafted for Con-
Igress may provide that the Dis
trict Commissioners be given the
powers of the authority until the
new board itself can be set up.
This was disclosed yesterday
by Commissioner Samuel Spen-
Ger, who said the drafters were
contemplating this provision sir
view of the Importance of speedy
action"
Under it. the Board of Com
mlssioners would be given the
powers of the authority during
the interim period from the time
the statute is passed until the au.
.thorlty members are appointed
and can begin to function.
Interim Period Cited
Mi. Spencer said that Ger
Itainly we would make every ef-
fort to have the authority op.
Grating as rapidly as possible, but
there might be a short period in
there when it would be very ad-
vantageous to have somebody
able to make certain decisions
and take certain steps"
City officials, who have moi
been able to find a private oper.
ator to take over the dying Cap.
ital Transit Co. franchise. art
engaged in drafting Legislation
to set up a transit authority tc
run the system starting Au-
gust Is.
Walter Cleave. Chicago vice
president Of the Nationwide in
Ivestment banking firm of Blytt
az Co.. Inc. and Attorney Johr
"A. Mitchell Of New York. counSe
for the firm. are expected here
tomorrow to work with loca
officials on completing a plar
for submission to Congress. Blytf
g. Co. is writing a preliminary
draft.
Mr.. Cleave and Mr.. Mitchell
according to Mr.. Spencer, have
Suggested the authority be 6
lseyen-member board rather thar
IA three member one as had beer
proposed.
Advantages Seen
They expressed the view, Mr.
Spencer said, that there would bt
some advantage in a larger boarc
by way of continuity Of policy
and less dependence on a single
person. The larger body also, il
was suggested, might make
purchasers a little more ready t
take up the bonds of the author
lily.
Meanwhile, officials herr
planned to begin work today or
an operating plan for the au'
thority.
Mr.. Spencer said he was no
able to say yet whether the au'
Ithority would take over the prop
erty of Capital Transit. At Thu
point. work is proceeding on
general operating plan which
can be presented to Congress
he said. Later, there will have
to be more detailed engineering
studies.
The city head pointed out tina
the bill probably would carr!
provisions broad enough so tina
the authority could negotiate
with the Capital Transit Co. fol
some or all of its properties. HI
noted that it also will have
provision for condemnation
which would enable the authorit!
TO condemn some or all Of thu
transit properties, if necessary.
Talk With Mack Official
Mr.. Spencer said he thought |
likely that the authority itsel
would have been appointed be-
fore any condemnation actor
was taken.
| City officials yesterday talket
with Minor l.. Parker. IT,. Of thu
Mack Motor Truck Corp. abou
what that firm might be able tt
do in the way of bus production
for a public transit authority. 4
similar conference had beer
held earlier with a representative
of General Motors Corp.
Commenting on the plan o,
Representative Broyhill. Repub'
lican of Virginia, to sponsor leg
islation for an overall authority
which could operate airports
parking facilities and other prof,
ects, Mr.. Spencer said he thinks
it would be preferable to q
ahead for now with the plan fol
a transit authority only because
of the pressure Of time on tina
subject.
He said he saw no reason
however, why the additional fea,
lures might not be brought il
after the authority is set up.