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Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS,

ALEXANDRIA, VA., December 29, 1965.

U.S. Senate, Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR: You have analyzed the highway building program astutely. You and a few other people can visualize cars zooming downtown in large numbers in a matter of minutes, and to go where? There will be such a traffic jam on Washington's streets that cars won't be able to move anywhere. You might as well run your car into the river and swim ashore; at least you get to Washington quicker.

Obviously, once the cars arrive in the city they must be parked-somewhere. If the supply of parking lots remains the same, it is conceivable that the cost in the near future to park your car by the day will soar to $3 or $3.50. This in terms of a year amounts to between $750 and $875. Now, with this in mind, no wonder people ask their employer not for a raise but for a free parking space and know they will be way ahead.

Now, I ask you, Senator, is $3 or $3.50 a fair price to charge to park a car all day? Is the $1.75 or $2 I now pay fair? In addition to those charges, don't forget the tip. If you don't tip, you had better be ready to pay the consequences-like, "Man, we done lost your car somewhere."

You know yourself, Senator, that it is cheaper to park your car in Baltimore, a larger city in population than Washington. And you could probably find a few more cities if you researched the situation around the country.

Whatever is holding up construction of more parking lots should be eliminated. If legislation in the form you have suggested is necessary, then let's tack it on the highway measure and give us taxpaying commuters a break.

Sincerely yours,

JAMES W. PINHOLSTER.

BELTSVILLE, MD., February 6, 1966.

HON. SENATOR TYDINGS: I am writing to you as representative of approximately 1,000 men, who mostly reside in Maryland, as their union representative (Local union 689, Bus Operators) (D.C. Transit Co.). We have a very poor parking situation at its best. We work out of Northern division which is located at 4615 14th Street NW. We are bounded on the south by 14th and Buchanan Streets NW., north to 14th and Decatur Streets. In front of the division there is a 1-hour parking allowance. Our work period is longer than this and we are ticketed with

regularity.

During the heavy snow, parking was at a premium. We are essential to the community as bus operators, more so during bad weather. We parked any place we could like every one else in the city. We parked in a bus zone and received tickets. The police should have used better judgment; this happened February 2, 1966. We admit an infraction of the law, but once again little or no consideration. In the past I have talked to a police lieutenant at precinct No. 6 last summer to ask for some relief but nothing was done about the situation.

We ask an extension for parking in front of the division, also to make sure that if parking tickets are issued that they are issued to everyone all over the city. Truly yours,

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HARRY M. KELLY.

FIRST NATIONAL REALTY CORP.,
Washington, D.C., February 10, 1966.

GENTLEMEN: An insidious practice is developing on the part of parking lot. operators and/or their attendants in exacting, by connivance and fraud, additional parking charges beyond those that are normally payable in accordance with their posted notices.

An example of this occurred February 8, when I took my car into the Colonial Parking, Inc., lot next door to the District of Columbia National Bank in the 1800 block of K Street NW. The ticket which I received was stamped 9:16 and when I came out of the bank, which immediately adjoings the lot, my watch showed 10:12. I waited at the booth to present my ticket to the attendant but he was busy moving cars and it wasn't until a few minutes had expired that the attendant, a Milton Battle, took my ticket and stamped it. When he stamped it,

it showed 10:19 and my watch at that point showed 10:16. I had only been there an hour obviously and the additional few minutes had been occupied by the attendant in moving cars before even getting to me.

As a matter of fact, he admitted that his timeclock was not correct, that it was running a few minutes fast. He insisted that I pay him $1 for 2 hours, when only 50 cents was due for 1 hour, and refused to give me my car unless I paid him $1. Obviously, two nefarious practices are being indulged in to mulet the District of Columbia citizen. The first one is by having his timeclock set a few minutes fast. Since the parker normally looks at the time stamped on his ticket to know when his hour is up and since the ticket may be 4 or 5 minutes fast, the returning motorist will compare his own watch, which may be correct, with the ticket and be 4 or 5 minutes late since the time on the ticket will be later than his watch when it is stamped again.

Additionally, this is one of many times I have waited around for the attendant to punch my ticket while the time elapsed and I was charged for an additional hour. I am sure most motorists have had the same trick played on them. It is time to do something about these unlawful practices and I solicit your assistance in keeping these parking operators in line.

Very truly yours,

SIDNEY J. BROWN.

Senator TYDINGS,

U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

ARLINGTON, VA., January 26, 1966.

DEAR SIR: I saw on the TV that in your hearings on parking in the District of Columbia that one of the parking lot owners said there is no parking problem in Washington. I hope you will not believe this.

Of course, there is no parking problem if money is no object. But the parking lot across from where I work wants $50 a month. It seems rather obvious that the reason it does not rise higher is because parking lot prices would then be more than the $3 parking ticket.

The people who own the parking lots probably never had to park in such poor neighborhoods that insurance companies rates would rise or be refused if they knew you parked there. If you had to fork over a substantial portion of your daily take-home pay to park, you wouldn't say there was no parking problem. Street parking is made artificially short by several means. (1) The 40-foot from the intersection rule. (2) No parking any time where it is not needed. (3) No parking during rush hour where it is not necessary. I call your attention to the last D.Č. Transit strike and the published reports of the parking lot operators' wailing that when all the curb space available was used that there were less people parking in lots then when the D.C. Transit was running.

I realize that I am that scourge of the regulatory authorities known as the "all-day parker," I have not parked on a parking lot as many as five times since I have been driving. I started in 1947. I now have a Volkswagen (it is easier to park), and I have used a bicycle to ride from the parking space I found to my office because of the distance.

I am well qualified to advise you of the parking shortage.
Very truly yours,

Senator JOSEPH TYDINGS,

ROBERT J. PANKNEN.

DAWSONVILLE (BOYDS), MD., January 26, 1966.

Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: I want to commend your activity looking toward a public parking authority for the District and your outspoken challenge to the private parking interests which have taken advantage of this community for too long. Mr. John Lyon declared, "Parking is a private enterprise business, and I would like to keep it that way." Of course he would, to the great disadvantage of all the citizens of this metropolitan area together with most of the downtown businesses. It would be very encouraging if a public parking authority were established to provide the kind of public parking now available in suburbs of Bethesda and Silver Spring, and in other large cities like Cleveland and Pittsburgh. Such an authority might consider submerging roadways across the Mall at Southwest 4th, 7th, and 14th Streets, broadened below ground for easy access to extensive underground parking on either side, beneath the surface of the Mall.

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Your leadership in this matter, together with that of Senators Dirksen and Kennedy is appreciated. In my judgment, resources should be directed toward projects of this kind, the poverty program, manpower training program, etc., and not to the illegal, unwarranted, and utterly stupid military effort in Vietnam. Respectfully yours,

THOS. A. CHITTENDEN.

RALPH BROWN BUICK, INC., Washington, D.C., February 11, 1966.

Hon. JOSEPH TYDINGS,
Senate Office Building,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: As a constituent of yours and as a businessman in the District of Columbia please lend me your ear.

I do hope that you will continue to work on the parking problem in downtown Washington and for just a minute of your time I would like to relate an experience of mine on this very day.

A luncheon engagement that I had had to be canceled and inasmuch as I needed a looseleaf binder for a project that I am on I decided that I would go downtown myself and purchase it from Ginn's Office Supply because we do quite a lot of business with them. I drove down alone and the nearest place to park was within a block or block and one-half and the place was full. I then decided to go to the Stott Office Supply on New York Avenue, next door to the Capital Parking Garage. I tried to get into the Capital Garage and after waiting 15 minutes for them to move cars and then discovering that there was a line almost a block long waiting to get in I pulled out and went to the parking lot by the Black Gun Restaurant. I had to wait in the street some 10 minutes there while an alone attendant was moving some cars around and then I was able to pull in, half on the sidewalk and half on the lot. While waiting to get my ticket a man came in to redeem his car and this man was waited on and then another person came in after me and he was waited on and finally they gave me my ticket. I went to the Stott Stationery Store and waited another 15 minutes and was unable to get waited on because of the shortage of help so I went back to get my automobile and paid 50 cents for the time consumed. Still no notebook binder. I then went to a shopping center in the suburbs where I could find a place to park and could get waited on. The amount of money spent was only some $12, the time consumed was an hour and one-half inasmuch as I did not leave my office until 1, but the parking lots in downtown Washington, D.C., are inadequate, ill managed, and it is a frustration to go downtown. I want to keep my business downtown and I propose to do so, but certainly it is time that something be done to make it convenient and attractive for people to want to do business in the downtown area of our city.

Yours truly,

RALPH H. BROWN President.

GREENBELT, MD., February 22, 1966.

Re parking facilities in the District of Columbia.
Hon. JOSEPH D. TYDINGS,

U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: Attached is a copy of a complaint sent to Parking Management, Inc., on January 14, 1966. As of today I have not even received an acknowledgment. This, I submit, is one more instance of the "public-bedamned" attitude of the private parking interests as revealed by the recent hearings on parking facilities in the District of Columbia.

I also wish to add my voice to those favoring a different approach to the parking problems of the District of Columbia, and comment briefly on one particular situation. The nearest public parking facility to my place of employment is the PMI managed lot bounded by 14th Street NW., and the Department of Labor, Interstate Commerce Commission, Post Office, and Coast Guard buildings. The commuting employees at these facilities plus those employed at nearby Department of Commerce and District of Columbia Building, can all be garaged on that lot if it was utilized in another manner. For example, a pigeonhole garage might be constructed on that site. Government employees, utilizing a car-pool arrangement where possible, may park at this facility for a reasonable fee, i.e. $10 per month, and such fees would cover the cost of construction and management. The use of a pigeonhole garage would not only increase the car capacity of the

Since this location is

lot, it would also reduce the number of dents to the cars. surrounded by buildings which are not particularly esthetic, one more building would not destroy the image. Furthermore, employee morale is always increased by such intangible fringe conveniences as ease in parking.

Sincerely yours,

PARKING MANAGEMENT, INC.,
Washington, D.C.

HERBERT ALAN DUBIN.

GREENBELT, MD., January 14, 1966.

DEAR SIRS: On Tuesday morning, January 11, 1966, I paid $1.75 to park my car in your lot bounded by 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. When I left my car with the key in the ignition, as requested by the lot attendants, the left front fender of that car was in perfect condition. When I returned to the lot after 5 p.m. not only wasn't my car in the spot where I had parked it, but the left (driver's side) front fender of my car was dented and bent.

I am sure you will take care of this matter promptly. My car is a 1963 Volkswagen.

Sincerely yours,

HERBERT DUBIN.

WEST HYATTSVILLE, MD., February 16, 1966.

DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: In view of your efforts to aid Government employees in finding parking places, I suggest that an immediate temporary solution to the problem would be to permit parking on the Mall in the off season. Today, parking is only permitted after 9:30 a.m. which makes it virtually impossible to park there. It seems to me that all that is necessary is for Secretary Udall to reverse his decision of last summer when he closed the Mall to parking before 9:30 a.m.

I would appreciate it if you would consider this solution to alleviate the parking problem.

Very sincerely,

ALAN WISEMAN.

FEBRUARY 17, 1966.

Hon. JOEL T. BROYHILL,
House of Representatives,
Washington, D.C.

MY DEAR MR. BROYHILL: Some time ago we sought your assistance in soliciting the regional director of the National Park Service for relief in the public parking shortage adjacent to the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings complex.

Although we did not succeed in obtaining our objective, getting "Ash Lane" south of the reflecting pool opened for temporary public parking, the Park Service has unofficially reopened a previously closed lot in West Potomac Park, allowing public parking.

We were greatly heartened to hear the announcement of your introduction of a bill to provide parking facilities for Federal employees in the Washington and national areas, and are looking forward to its passage and becoming law.

On behalf of your constituents in the Main Navy Building who we represented, we would like to express our appreciation for your interest and help in our parking dilemma. Of the Senators and Congressmen representing the people of the Washington metropolitan area solicited for relief in public parking facilities, you are the only one who obtained any results to partially alleviate the critical parking situation in our area.

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MARYLAND PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION,
Baltimore, Md., February 18, 1966.

Senator JOSEPH D. TYDINGS,
Senate Office Building,

Washington, D.C.

DEAR SENATOR TYDINGS: I read in the Washington Post that S. 2769, as introduced by you, is about to be reported to the Committee on the District of Columbia. I have glanced through the bill and I am taking the liberty of submitting for your consideration the following amendment:

On page 30, line 3, insert after the semicolon the words "provided that no petroleum products shall be sold or offered for sale in any entrance to or exit from any land so acquired or any entrance to or exit from any structure erected thereon."

Back in 1947 the General Assembly of Maryland had under consideration a parking lot authority for Baltimore city. The question of the sale of gasoline in in such parking lots was discussed at Annapolis and I suggested that to place gasoline pumps at the entrance or exit to parking lots or any building thereon would certainly dam up traffic in the parking lot. As a consequence, the bill was amended so as to prohibit such a situation.

I am also enclosing for your consideration a copy of our article XI-C, section 1(a) of the Maryland constitution, which contains language similar to the proposed amendment stated above.

It might occur to you that it is unusual to have such a provision in the constitution of Maryland, but the sponsors of the measure were not certain that they could legally use public funds to erect the facility and then lease such facilities to private enterprise. For this reason the constitution was amended.

Kindest personal regards.
Very truly yours,

JOSEPH P. LANIGAN,
Executive Secretary.

CONSTITUTION OF MARYLAND

ARTICLE XI-C

OFF-STREET PARKING

Section 1. Authority to Baltimore City to acquire and dispose of property

The General Assembly of Maryland, by public local law may authorize the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore:

(a) Within the City of Baltimore to acquire land and property of every kind, and any right, interest, franchise, easement or privilege therein, by purchase, lease, gift, condemnation or any other legal means, for storing, parking and servicing self-propelled vehicles, provided, that no petroleum products shall be sold or offered for sale at any entrance to or exit from any land so acquired or at any entrance to, or exit from, any structure erected thereon, when any entrance to, or exit from, any such land or structure faces on a street or highway which is more than 25 feet wide from curb to curb; and

(b) To sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of said land or property, regardless of whether or not it has been developed, redeveloped, altered, or improved and irrespective of the manner or means in or by which it may have been acquired, to any private, public or quasi public corporation, partnership, association, person or other legal entity.

No land or property taken by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for any of the aforementioned purposes or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers which may be granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore pursuant to this Article by exercising the power of eminent domain, shall be taken without just compensation, as agreed upon between the parties, or awarded by a jury, being first paid or tendered to the party entitled to such compensation. All land or property needed, or taken by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore for any of the aforementioned purposes or in connection with the exercise of any of the powers which may be granted to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore pursuant to this Article is hereby declared to be needed or taken for a public use. (1947, ch. 505, ratified Nov. 2, 1948.)

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