LETTERS Subsequent to the hearing the following letters were received: EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Annapolis, Md., June 13, 1969. Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: I write to express my strong endorsement of legislation now pending before the Congress to provide federal approval of the Transit Development Program for the National Capital Region and with it federal financial support of the undertaking. It is my understanding that your committees have before you S. 2185 and H.R. 11193, bills which would place the stamp of federal approval on this badly needed program to alleviate the transportation problems which plague the National Capital Regions. Prince George's and Montgomery counties and the State of Maryland have been together in support of the transit program over a period of years, and I can assure you that there is overwhelming support among the residents of both counties who would benefit from the service to be provided and who stand ready to provide their full share of capital funds for the creation of the system. This is a program of broad regional significance which has, as I am sure you are aware, the strongest support throughout the region. I am taking the liberty of sending copies of this letter to the members of the Maryland delegation. Sincerely, MARVIN MANDEL, Governor. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, Richmond, Va., June 16, 1969. Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, Chairman, Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, U.S. Senate, Wash ington, D.C. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House Committee on the District of Columbia, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR SIRS: I write to endorse in principle and recommend enactment of legislation proposed in S 2185 and HR 11193 for the development of a rapid transit system in the Washington metropolitan area. The concentration of population in the District of Columbia and the adjoining sections of Virginia and Maryland has created an enormous traffic problem, and the proposals for its relief merit prompt and favorable action. I trust it will be the judgment of the Committees to report the measures to the floor. Sincerely yours, MILES E. GODWIN, Jr., (173) Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, Chairman, Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, U.S. Senate, Wash ington, D.C. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House Committee on the District of Columbia, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: I am informed that your Committees are conducting a joint hearing on S. 2185 and H.R. 11193, the same being bills to authorize a Federal contribution for support of the Transit Development Program for the National Capital Region as proposed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. I am greatly encouraged by your decision to hold joint hearings, for to me that decision reflects a realization on your part of the urgency for pressing this program to a successful conclusion. As Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am keenly aware of the importance of this program to the people of Northern Virginia. I am aware also of the interrelationship of all parts of the National Capital Region and the dependency of each part on the other. Unquestionably, the serious traffic situation which already exists and the prospect of further difficulties which face Northern Virginia and the National Capital Region, make it vitally necessary that this program succeed. In referenda last fall the people of several Northern Virginia jurisdictions voted overwhelmingly in favor of bond issues to provide local financial support of the transit program. Very simply, the people have elected to tax themselves so that they may meet their responsibilities and with it enjoy the benefits which this rapid transit system will bring to the community. I strongly urge favorable consideration of these bills by your Committees and favorable action by the Congress. Respectfully yours, FRED G. POLLARD, COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, SENATE, June 11, 1969. Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, Chairman, Senate District of Columbia Committee, New Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Hon. JOHN L. MCMILLAN, Chairman, House of Representatives District of Columbia Committee, Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: The purpose of this letter is to urge your respective committees to act favorably on S2185 and HR11193, the purpose of which is to provide Federal financial support for the proposed 97 mile transit system, the Federal portion being approximately $1.047 Billion. These measures are the subject of a joint hearing by your respective committees and I request that this letter be made a part of the hearings record. Representing, as I do, Fairfax County and the Cities of Fairfax and Falls Church in the Senate of Virginia, and serving on the Senate Committee on Roads and Internal Navigation. I am particularly mindful of the urgency of constructing at the earliest possible date the proposed transit facility. Despite the best Virginia has been able to do, including the use of substantial Interstate and other Federal funds, our traffic conditions now approach the intolerable. The impact of this heavy traffic on the area and on the Federal City is most serious and threatens to stifle both further progress and the attaining of the order of excellence and the quality of life that ought to be characteristic of the Washington metropolitan area. The people of Northern Virginia have shown their concern for and support of the proposed transit program by voting in referendum to provide the respective shares of our various localities. The whole Washington metropolitan region stands to benefit from the earliest possible construction of the proposed facilities, and the Federal support provided in the proposed legislation on which you are now holding joint hearings is essential because the local political jurisdictions, no matter how well intended, can not do the job by themselves without substantial Federal help. Neither can the citizens of the United States, who come to Washington each year in ever-increasing numbers, enjoy our beautiful Capital City and take home with them inspired remembrances unless we provide a subway and rail rapid transit system to take as much as possible of our commuting vehicular traffic out of the heart of the city. I strongly urge you to use your good offices to see that the proposed measures are enacted at the earliest possible date. Respectfully yours, OMER L. HIRST, 24th Senatorial District, Senate of Virginia. COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, HOUSE OF DELEGATES, Richmond, Va., June 9, 1969. Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: I want to congratulate you and Representative McMillan for your forethought in holding joint hearings on S.B. 2185 and H.R.B. 11193 on the need for rapid transit in the Washington Metropolitan Area. May I add my voice to those who urge a speedy start on this desperately needed facility which will help the area in so many ways-including the abatement of dangerous air pollution. Chairman, Senate Committee on the District of Columbia, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Hon. JOHN L. MOMILLAN, Chairman, House Committee on the District of Columbia, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. GENTLEMEN: As a Member of the Virginia General Assembly from FairfaxFalls Church who has long been interested in the urban transportation problems of the Northern Virginia area, I am writing to urge support of the two bills above relating to establishment of the rapid transit system. In holding joint hearings, you have recognized the urgency of this problem and I wish to commend you for your appreciation of its importance. If we do not soon attain some balance in our Metropolitan transportation system by going forward with the rapid transit plan at the earliest possible date, the eventual cost of catching up will drastically multiply the present cost estimates. Obviously you recognize that fact by your decision to hold joint hearings. By way of background may I add that as a Member of the Virginia legislature I have consistently supported every constructive measure for rapid transit for this area, and for financing the share to be borne by the Northern Virginia localities. As a vital element in developing a balanced transportation system, including both highways and rapid transit, I shall continue my support. May I also urge that you consider the advisability of extending the rapid transit facility to Dulles International Airport as a potentially crucial link in our Metropolitan transit. Thank you for your consideration of these views. Respectfully yours, CARRINGTON WILLIAMS, Delegate. Hon. DON FUQUA, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY PARK CITIZENS ASSOCIATION, Chairman, Subcommittee No. 4, Committee on the District of Columbia, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. FUQUA: The American University Park Citizens Association, through its Executive Committee, offers the following comments on the area rapid transit system: FINANCING We endorse the subject bill and urge its enactment. Provision for the regional system is needed and the proposal for matching funds is an eminently fair method of financing. DULLES AIRPORT LINE We favor Senator Spong's amendment to authorize a feasibility study of a rapid transit line to Dulles Airport as a part of the planned regional system rather than as a future extension in dotted lines on the map. The crowded conditions at National Airport and the noise from commercial jet planes inflicted on residential areas make this line an essential part of area transportation media. The longer it is delayed, the more airline terminal facilities will be built at Natonal and the more firmly entrenched as a permanent blot on the local landscape will the airport be. Until a rapid transit line is built, express bus lanes on the Dulles Access Road would insure bus transit against auto congestion when jumbo jets disgorge their contents. See Secy. John Volpe in U.S. News and World Report, June 9, 1969, page 64. Construction of the rapid line would enable the airport road to serve communities like Reston without impairing airport access. The access road should be an interstate highway in due course. A one-purpose freeway is an extravagance and a denial of proper access to suburban communities. RAIL COMMUTER SERVICE The rapidity of new building construction in Southwest Washington will soon overtax the available surface transportation. Considerable relief would be afforded if rail commuter service were provided at new stations on existing rail lines as proposed in “Metropolitan Area Pilot Study", Senate Document No. 117, July 19, 1968, pages 47-57, particularly pages 55-57. The role of the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority is recommended on pages 69-72. As noted on page 70, WMATA has not been specifically instructed by Congress or the concerned States to undertake the development or operation of a commuter rail system during the interim construction of, or in addition to, its rapid rail transit system. It is urged that this be done. While the Authority is well provided with parking spaces in its three-level parking garage underneath its building on S. L'Enfant Plaza, other Southwest employees are not so fortunate. Rail commuter service would give relief long before rapid transit service is available. We are indebted to Mr. Loren Hill of the North Cleveland Park Citizens Association and to Mr. George Frain of Kalorama Citizens Association for suggestions on commuter service. Respectfully, О ALFRED S. TRASK. |