Evening star., 1919-03-11
APPROVE PLAN FOR
T A TRAFFIC COURT
Northeast Washington Citi-
4 zens' Also Favor Depart
ks ment of Safety.
DISCUSS OTHER MATTERS

Unanimous approval was given last
night by the Northeast Washington
Citizens Associa ton to the plan of
the Washington Safety First Associ-
alton to establish a traffic court III
this city. DR.. l. d. Walter. vice presi-
dent of both associations, called the
matter to the attention of the meet
ing last night
Everybody knows that the estae-
lshment of a traffic court would
mean much to the public he said.
Not only would it bring traffic mat
ters to the attention Of the public
in svch a way as to increase safety
on the streets, but it would enable
persons charged with traffic violations
to get their cases tried without de-
lay"
DIR. Walter presented letter from
!. Clinton Hiatt. secretary of the
Washington Safety First Association,
telling of what that organization had
done in safety matters, mentioning
that it had gone on record as favor
ing a department of public safety,
which would include director who
would be charged with safeguarding
dents. health and employment
Presents Resolution.
Thomas Mcnamara presented a res
olution. which was adopted, suggest
ing the establishment of depart
ment of public safety. which, he said,
would have to be done by Congress
Members of the association are of the
opinion that there is urgent need for
Sdjate relief from Increasing dam
gerous conditions. he stated, and his
resolution urged that a committee on
public safety be created by the Dis
trict Commissioners without delay. He
suggested that the committee be COM
posed of representatives of the Pub
lie Utilities Commission, health, fire
and police departments. building in
spector's office and automobile board.
We hear almost every day. he
said, that citizens are threatening to
arm themselves against reckless au-
tomobile drivers"
In further support of his resolution
MIR. Mcnamara said:
The personnel of such a committee
as suggested would insure intelligent
consideration of the drafting of such
regulation or amendments to existing
regulations s experience might sug
geSt.
This committee should make every
effort toward counteracting the evil
influences of the doctrine which has
been advanced in late years-that is.
that a certain amount of sacrifice of
human life is inevitable under mod
ern conditions.
The lives and safety of our citizens
should be held sacred above every
other consideration and such a COM
mittee would be composed of men
whose daily experience proves to them
that the responsibility for the pre-
yention of an accident rests upon the
individuals who create the dangers"
Discusses Carfare Increase.
Roscoe Jenkins, chairman of the
committee on public utilities, dis
cussed the proposed increase in car
fare and said he thought the increase
requested should not be granted un-
less the street car company shows it
is absolutely necessary Certainly
there should be no increase until
there is betterment of traffic condi-
1ions- He was appointed delegate to
the conference that is to be held
Thursday night to discuss traffic con-
ditions and to make an effort to better
them.
President Evan H. Tucker said the
last Congress did not do much for the
District of Columbia. He told the
association that Representative
Mapes. who will be chairman of the
Congress. is a friend of the District,
and will do what he can to upbuild
rather than tear down.
President Tucker told the associa-
ton that the new tax assessment has
been made. and advised property
owners TO get their new rate at the
District building.
III you are not satisfied with the
new assessment" he said, you must
enter yonr appeal before the. first
Monday in June"
The association went on record as
opposing an increase in the price of
gas. DIR. Parsons suggesting that a
better quality and not a higher price
is what is desired
Reports as to Firemen and Police.
DIR. Walter, chairman of the COM
mittee en- police and FIRE departments,
said he was pleased 10 report that
the fire department has its full quota
and that the two-platoon system is
working well. There are still some
thing like 140 vacancies in the police
department, he stated, but change
in the medical examining board
promises to give the department in
creased material in the near future.
On motion of President Tucker, the
association passed a resolution de-
ploring the death of Thomas w.
Smith. who served as president of
East Washington Citizens Associa-
tion for number of years.
Harry W. Baden and William L.
Francis were elected to membership
in the association.