The Washington times., 1920-07-08
HEADLIGHT LAWS
SOUGHT FOR D. c.
City Club Wants Statute t0
=. Replace Guessing" BY
Local Police.

Local methods OF passing upon
automobile headlights are worse than
a farce. according 10 W Pearee Ray
ner. chairman OF the Public Safety
Group OF the city Club. which last
night, at a meeting at the cluh-
house, decided to launch a vigorous
campaign TO get model snti-gldre
headlight law for the District.
The headlight campaign will b, the
first work OF the newly formed organ
izstion. A COMMITTEES will be ap-
pointed to confer with experts OF the
Bureau of Standards and other head
light authorities, and to report on the
best possible type OF legislation.
The District Commissioners then Will
be asked TO grant public hearing
on the question and later TO promui-
gate such regulations as they deem
wise.
POLICE POOR GUEssERs
The present method OF the police
is TO guess as to whether "A headiig mt
dazzies," said Rayner. '"As rule. u
is pretty poor guessing. The District
has passed headlights that would be
rejected In practically every state
in the Union, and the District has
turned down headlights that would
pass muster in Connecticut, where the
most rigorous headlight law in the
country is-ip effect. The action or
Maryland in passing IA headlight law
has forced the matter upon the Dis
trict and immediate action is essen
tial" <'-t
Rayner said Washington streets
are about the poorest lighted streets
l. 4. ,...A
He said practically no light is thrown
on the middle OF the roadways, the
bulk being shed upon the pavements
and cutters The powerful light
thrown on the cutters. he said casts
reflections on windshields, dazzling
the drivers.
WILL SEEK TRAFFIC. COURT.
Next fall. just before Congress re-
convenes, the group will launch a
drive for the establishment of a
Traffic Court. .,.
THE present handling OF traffic
law violations by the Police Court Is
an absolute fizzle." said Rayner. "Ex-
tremely reckless drivers and old Of
tenders are let OF repeatedly with
light fines. The judges are so occu-
pied with other matters that they
cannot give SclentlnC consideration 10
traffic problems, and they do not
fully realize the seriousness of infrac-
tions of traffic regulations. A Traffic
Court would put the cases in the
hands of experts"
Safety in the public schools soon
will be given consideration by the
group. Rayner said many school boil
ers are tended by inexperienced per-
sons, and that, as a result. thousands
of pupils are sitting over what might
be considered potential volcanoes.
The group arranged for the appoint
ment of committees on fire depart
ment and fire protection, police, traf-
&c. elevator safety. public school
safety. river and harbor protection.
street and interior lighting, and law
enforcement.
TO DISCUSS HOUSING.
The Housing Group of the club will
hold it's organization meeting at 8
o'clock tonight at the clubhouse, Far
ragut square. The meeting has been
called by the organization committee.
composed of II. Clifford Bangs. chair
man; G. Y. Worthington. l.. Koenigs-
berger and Julius l. Peyser. Members
OF the club interested in any phase of
the housing problem--from, the view
point of the landlord. tenant, builder.
,totel manager, or civic welfare work