Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-05-22
Compact Urged
For Two Stutes
And District
BY GEORGE BEvERIDGE
star star Writer


tablish a regional agency to
regulate all transit operations
in the Washington metro area.
At the same time. however.
they warned fatty that both
States would have no part Of
any Federally dominated agen-
cy or authority to regulate
transit and urged that no such
proposals be cnsidered.
These pleas we're made by
Senators Edward S. Northrop
Of Maryland and Charles r.
Fenwick Of Virginia at the
opening Of three-day hearings
on Washington's transporta-
ton problems before a Joint
committee headed by Senator
Bible, Democrat Of Nevada.
Virginia enacted its part Of
the compact legislation this
year and Senator Northrop
said there was no question that
Maryland legislators would act
early in 1859 If Congress acts
this session.
Just q First Step
While the regional regula-
ton Of transit operations is
just a first step. both of the
State Senators said they felt
the compact pattern could be
followed later to attack other
area-wide transportation prob
lens as we'll as nontransporta-
ton problems which require
interjurisdictional agreements.
Senator Northrop. for exam
pie, said he felt the compact
idea might well be applied to
the operation Of some type Of
area-wide transit but that II
can assure this committee that
the Legislature of Maryland
will resist any attempt to Gre
ate a presidential or Federal
commission to solve this prob
lem"
Earlier, the hearing dealt
mainly with the forthcoming
$500. 900 regional Transports
ton study conducted by the
National Capital Regional
Planning Council. The study
will propose a definite plan Of
future highway. bus and rapid
transit systems to meet traffic
needs of the next Is years. in
GLIDING estimated costs, finance
ing and area organization to
provide the systems.
Highlights Of the testimony
included:
/. Disclosure by Chairman
Harland Bartholomew of the
National Capital Planning Com
mission that the big transport
tation report probably will not
be finished before September
Is. Earlier dates for completing
the 30-month study included
last January, next June 80 and
next August.
2. A direct defense by Mr..
Bartholomew of the transport
tation study against claims 70
deficiencies raised in a recent
staff report from the Bible
committee.
Appeal by BrCyhill
3. An appeal by Representa-
tive Broyhill, Republican Of
Virginia that the Bible COM
mittee recommend formation Of
area wide authorities to deal
with all forms of Washington
transportation and with the
metro problems Of water sup
ply and pollution.
The committee staff report.
released two weeks ago. con-
cluded that the transportation
study needed so much addi-
tional work before any faction
program" for transportation
could be set up that it was
nearly a prelude to mothball-
ing" 1t suggested that further
studies be carried out by q
metropolitan transportation
development board" but did
not discuss what kind Of board
this would be.
1t was felt, however, that
this reference in the staff re-
port prodded the Maryland and
Virginia Senator's into their
warning against any congress
sional move to establish a Fed
eral commission or authority.
Specific Recommendations
Mr.. Bartholomew, in an OBJ
vious reference to the star re-
port, stressed that the study
report will make specific rec
concentrations for future steps
needed to put its plan into eff
feet. He added:
I'VE believe the present study
will fully justify the confidence
expressed by Congress in the
study and that the conclusions
and recommendations will
make clear the desired future
course of action to provide ade-
quate future transportation for
the Washington area"
Mr.. Bartholomew said the
study was "the first profound
attempt" to develop a metro
plan that would put the auto
mobile, the bus. the streetcar
and rapid transit into a CO.
ordinated program. He said 1t
also would make specific rec
concentrations on future park
ing requirements. No other
American city. he said, has
developed such a program.
Details Of the study were
explained by Paul c. Watt.
Regional Council director, and
by District Commissioner Rob-
n,.A u Nal ntanIalirn