Evening star., 1920-11-19
TRAFFIC EDUCATION
CAMPAIGN T0BEG|N
Maj. Gessford Organizes Dis
trict Safety Council.
Aroused Over Lives Lost.

tue W0tOFlSt ana the PEDESTRIAN VIII
be launched Immediately by the Safety
Council OF the District of Columbia
which was organized last night by
Maj. Gessford at Il meeting at the
District building.
Aroused over the recent loss of life
due TO automobile accidents tn. police
department decided that concerted ac-
Ton on the part of the citizens, as
wei as the department., was neces-
Sary. Accordingly representatives Of
every large organization were asked
TO appear last night to discuss ways
ana means of eliminating. as far as
possible. these serious accidents.
The plan is to distribute safety first
literature through every channel in
the city. The government workers
will be given lectures on how to con
quot themselves in traffic. the taxicab
drivers Will also have special series
OF lectures. the clubs of the city will
inauguratc a traffic series and the
moving picture houses and theaters
VIII be asked to cooperate in the
movement to educate the Washing
tonian on how he should conduct him
SELF when driving or walking on the
streets of the city.
Chairman Of Committee
MAJ Gessford was appointed chair
man of the central committee which
Will consist of chairmen of the va
rious other committees to be APP
pointed later Inspector W. ii. Harri-
son was chosen vice chairman and
Lieut.. Shelby secretary. Maj. Cess
ford announced that he would ap-
point the other chairmen of commit
tees by letter, explaining to them
just what would be required.
I'VE must not wait until these COM
mittees are appointed before begin
ming our work said Maj. Gessford,
every one must go to work imme-
diately and strive to work toward the
one end. safety. This work is not for
week or a month. it will continue
Indefinitely until there appears to be
let-up in the number of accidents.
feel sure that every man who is
here tonight is interested in the traf-
fic problem of the city. and that all
will be anxious to do his part IN
making the city safer place to drive
and walk in"
Sinclair Bowen. general manager of
the Washington Railway and Electric
Company, said that no movement for
better observance of the traffic regu-
lations could be successful unless it
had the concerted action and sym
pathy iof the citizens.
IF there is any expense in printing
lOF lIiS campaign, SdlQ
Mr.. Bowen. II think that / can safely
say that my company will contribute
its share. We are willing to go the
limit to support any movement tend
ing to lessen the number of acci-
dents"
Approval of Plan Voiced.
Other representatives of organiza-
tions also voiced their approval of
the plan of education, including G.
Macdonald nj ri NJ
Maj. J. M. Ritchie of the Army Trans
port Corps and W. P. Rayner of the
Automotiye Trade Asso-
citation.
John J. Boobar. president of the
Kiwanis Club. said that it was a
motorist and the pedestrian as to
who was at fault He advocated a
law compelling pedestrians to cross
only at regularly designated street
crossings. and pointed out that many
Washingtonians failed to take the
a corner before making the crossing.
Maj. Gessford said that there had
been a regulation on the District
statute books requiring pedestrians
to cross only at street crossings, but
that after the department had lost
two cases in court the. regulation
was thrown out Maj. Gessford said
that the court told him that the regu-
lation would not hold. He said that
it did hold and was enforced in other
cities. and that he thought it was
about time for Washington to draft
q new law that would hold in court.
Organizations Represented.
and those present at the meet
ing:
Public schools-Mr. Frank w. Ballou,
w. B. Patterson.
Chamber OF Commerce-Chas. w.
Darr, r. P. Andrews.
Board Of Trade-George Fisher,
son.
City Club--W. NJ. Ward. s. B. Cnrran.
Rwanis Club. J. Boobar
Rotary Club-Capt Richard Lamb
Capital Traction Company-T Hill,
chief claim agent F. Won Culin. super
intendent traffic: J. E. Heberle. assistant
Washington Railway and Electric
r. Bowen. secretary: j.
NJ. Stephens. w. F. Dement,, II. NJ Key
ser.
Potomac Electric Power COMPANY
Same as Washington Railway Electric
W. Terminal % Taxicab GPmpany-W. L.
New Taxi Service company-Leon
Brill. jr.
Motor Transport Division, q. s. A
Maj. ]. M Ritchie. Capt. c. w. Hoover
West Point Taxi Company-Le
Brill. jr.
Federation Of Citizens Associations
e. D. Henderson.
City post Officer. Collins, c. E.
Rullman. w. E. Wannall
Merchants and Manufacturers Asso-
ci ciation-William Freel and r. l.. West,
assigned. but not present.
American Automobile Association
William Cllman and NJ. 0. Eldridge.
Motor Corps, n. D. L.-W. P. Ray
ner.
Washington Automotive Trade As
sociation-Rudolph Jose.
Home Defense League-Rudolph
Jose.
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company-L A. Luttrell. not present.
Washington Gas Light Company
James I. Weller.
washington Safety First Associa-
tion-W. B. Patterson. DIR. L. c. Wat
ers. J. Clinton Hiatt, William F. Pea.
body and Selden N. Ely.
Others Represented.
Advertising Club Of Warrington.
Western Union Telegraph Company
Mr.. Mcdonald.
Nid-City Cltizana' Asaociation-Dr.
J. c. Buchanan. aNaS 1..1.,
LIABILITY INSURANCE, s27
Fords and Dodge Cars
Other Rates Request.
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