February 9, 1967 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD- SENATE 3281 CONFIRMATIONS FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION Executive nominations confirmed by Lowell K. Bridwell, of Ohio, to be Adminis­ Joe W. Fleming II, of Arkansas, to be Fed­ the Senate February 9 (legislative day of trator of the Federal Highway Administra­ eral cochairman of the Appalachian Regional February 8), 1967: tion. Commission. EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS Rail Rapid Transit emphatic yes! The poor and indigent must tegrate pieces. The wide right-of-way is in­ have ready and economical access to the out­ appropriate in cities. It wreaks havoc with er communities. This is where many of the existing structures; takes too much off the EXTENSION OF REMARKS employment opportunities these people seek tax rolls, and cuts great swaths through the OF are located. neighborhoods." (Patrick Healy, executive The model city sessions were devoted pri­ director, National League of Cities.) HON. RICHARD D. McCARTHY marily to the conditions within our core Again, there was the W1lliamsburg Confer­ OF NEW YORK areas. Through a common effort, many of ence, where Detroit's Mayor Cavanaugh, the problems faced by the forgotten, un­ President of the National League of Cities, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES skilled and deprived groups, could be solved. said: "We must keep in mind the necessity Thursday, February 9, 1967 In addition, certain areas outside of our of including a strong component of rapid present city limits are also plagued by pov­ transit if we are to end up with a balanced Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, the erty. These neighboring residents could be transportation system in the comprehensive necessity of rail rapid transit to match helped by the opening of job opportunities plan because huge sums for urban highways America's future transportation needs which were previously limited because of the will never by themselves solve urban trans­ and requirements was emphasized to me lack of good public transportation. portation needs." this week in a letter from the majority Gone are the days when urban highways This statement also came from Mayor CYf leader of the Buffalo, N.Y., Common could be regarded simply as facilities for Auto-Making Detroit: the movement of vehicles from one place to "We would have liked to hear more re­ Council. another. Here to stay is the recognition marks at the model city session concerning I found the remarks of Councilman that transportation is a basic force in shap­ air pollution. A major contributor to this Stanley M. Makowski so telling that I ing the course of urban development. The pollution is our automobile with one exhaust have forwarded them to Hon. Alan S. intelligent approach now being recognized pipe for each 1~ passengers. In California, Boyd, Secretary of Transportation, along by most planners seems to depend on the the $60 devices required on new cars haven't with a letter asking Secretary Boyd what balanced transit system, with the rail rapid proved efficient. To my knowledge, there is plans .he has for the future in this regard. transit as the backbone. no way to cancel out the air pollution factor Buffalo was the location recently of a Most planners agree that building new in internal combustion engine vehicles. streets, widening existing streets, and con­ However, much to our chagrin, medical ex­ model city conference, and Councilman structing new expressways, in order to move perts state that these vehicles in congested Makowski was quick to recognize that the 1.3 million people of our metropolitan areas are helping to cancel out the human before any city can effectively become a community, are not the best answers. These factor-life." model city, mass rapid ·transit must be same planners must take into consideration Some would say: "We'll have electric autos installed to serve its needs. the fact that excessive rates for present bus by 1980." I hope we do; but it is unlikely In addition, Councilman Makowski saw transportation to places of employment out­ that the electric car will appeal to the masses. the importance of such a transit system side the core area constitute a handicap for Its range still seems too short for American in fighting air pollution. His letter, my those who lack sufficient funds for transpor­ families. We dare not wait for the neces­ tation. If they are employed, autos may be sary technological advancement to solve to­ reply to him, and my letter to Secretary required to reach their respective places of day's air pollution by autos. Boyd, follow: employment. We know that it would be far Let us examine another possible benefit A MoDEL CITY NEEDS MAss RAPID TRANsiT less costly to provide rapid transit, rather related to mass rapid transit. The under­ (By Councilman Stanley M. Makowski, ma­ than try to finance a car for every potential ground fac111ties which would be required, Jority leader of the Buffalo Common COuncil) worker. due to the complex composition of the cen­ By denying our citizens a choice of transit, tral business district, could serve as clvll Are we ready to accept a balanced, mass defense shelters in 'times of emergency. rapid-transit system in western New York, or by ignoring this mode of travel, aren't we denying our less fortunate their right to a This type of use for underground fac111ties should we continue constructing the ever­ was utilized during World War II, in London, encompassing tentacles of concrete that stem choice of work? Imagine, if you will, the day when more employment will lessen the England, where millions of people found from our city's core and will strangle our protection. very existence if we allow it to continue? welfare load and give to these socio eco­ We must accept the challenge to control nomically disinherited people the chance Another aspect of urban society that would this developing menace to our society. this country promises everyone: the right to benefit from the use of a rapid transit sys.. The recent model city conference held in work. Considering these factors, what tern would be the economic and efficient use Buffalo's city hall unfortunately did not em­ would the effect be on the overall tax struc­ of land. This factor is becoming more and phasize this vital element of what I consider ture locally and nationally? It would be more important to us as urbanites each day. must be part and parcel of the model city decisively encouraging. · I feel that the conference has added much program. Returning to the idea of expressways, I to our general knowledge of what is involved The model city sessions were most valuable realize that we can move vehicles, but 1 ~ when we consider a model city program for to all of western New York in so far as they passengers per car requires (as Walter Buffalo. We must also add to the files what represented a most stimulating conference. Reuther a,cknowledged) a,cres of ihlghways others have learned in dealing with urban Now must come the 'time for careful evalua­ to move acres of oversize cars, to park on problems. Cities such as Toronto, Montreal, tion of problems discussed, ideas proposed, acres of parking lots. Philadelphia, and Cleveland-just to men­ and issues omitted. Western New York requires mass trans­ tion a few--should be contacted in order Unfortunately, no one spoke a word about portation of the most modern, most efficient to learn their approaches to their problems. either public rapid transportation or high­ kind. If we are to move people quickly, We are all urban areas with similar way congestion. We are all aware what the safely, cheaply and efficiently, we must con­ problems. combustible engine contributes toward the sider the use of rail rapid transit as a nucleus To do the total job of aiding the socially creation of frightful and destructive air pol­ for our coordinated overall transportation and economically depressed, and at the same lution. Just who would benefit by the rapid system. time assist the entire citizenry, we must transit system? And who would benefit by If the model city conferees had reviewed implement the balanced transit system. the elimination of much of the air pollu­ national publications such as the November Buffalo cannot afford to delay any longer. tion? The answer: all cLtizens would benefit, 1966 issue of Nation's Cities, they would The local region has benefited through the especially those core area residents who live have found such commonplace statements efforts of a handful of civic-minded area res­ nearest the highway interchanges where traf­ to planners as: idents who formed a non-profit organization fic is most congested. Panel after panel at "Mobility and accessibility are fundamental called START (Suburban Town's Area the conference addressed itself to the socio­ to the very existence of the city and its metro­ Rapid Transit.> They pressed forward with economic problems facing deprived areas that politan area-indeed they made the growth an idea which has been carried throughout exist in the heart of our great metropolitan and development of the city and the area the western New York area. I am confident complex. possible ... The sinuous pattern of country that more people will join their ranks in Can the use of mass rapid transportation freeways is not appropriate to cities. It cuts bringing this balanced transit plan to light. aid the core area's unemployed to gain mean­ across the existing grid; disrupts neighbor­ This idea could lead the entire region to a ingful employment? The answer must be an hood patterns, and leaves odd, difficult-to-in- better and more productive way of life.