PRESIDENT NIXON WENT FOR A HELICOPTER RIDE OVER WASHINGTON EARLY THIS MORNING.

HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY JOHN VOLPE AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CITY OFFICIALS. THE IDEA OF THE EARLY MORNING FLIGHT WAS TO GET A CLOSE LOOK AT SOMETHING A PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE TO CONTEND WITH .. RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC. MR. NIXON SPENT ABOUT FORTY-FIVE MINUTES FLYING OVER THE CAPITAL AND ITS SUBURBS. THE FLIGHT WAS ARRANGED TO GIVE THE PRESIDENT A GRAPHIC PICTURE OF COMMUTER PROBLEMS AND ESPECIALLY THE NEED FOR RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEMS. AFTERWARD .. VOLPE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD SEND A PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION BILL TO CONGRESS WITHIN TWO WEEKS .. TO PROVIDE LOCAL COMMUNITIES WITH CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION GRANTS. AFTER RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE .. THE PRESIDENT SAID HE WAS GLAD HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK.