Evening star., 1921-04-04
AUT0|STS PROTEST
new TRAFFIC RULE
Registering Visitors Unpopu-
lar, A. A. A. BeIieves-Sug-
gests Pedestrian Regulation.


vision of the new traffic regulations
requiring visiting motorists. to reg
ister with the local police depart
ment on their arrival in Washing
ton is voiced by the American Auto
mobile Association in letter to
Commissioner James F. Oyster.
The association urges that a COM
mttee' be appointed from the A. A. A.
to discuss both the Objectionable pro-
vision in the regulations and the
prospect Of incorporating in the new
traffic rules some provision for the
regulation of pedestrians.
1t is understood that Commissioner
oyster approves of the committee, and
VIII set date in. the near future for
q conference. The A. A. A. committee,
when formed Will probably be COM
posed of William Uliman,- president Of
the District Of Columbia division: A..
g. Batchelder,. executive chairman of
the A. A. A.. and Conrad 8. Syme. legal
counsel for the association.
Text ~ Letter.
The letter to Commissioner Oyster
follows:
Your decision to probe deeply into
local traffic problems, as announced
In the local newspapers. is certain
ly very pleasing to the officials Of
the opinion that the new regulations,
which went into effect. Saturday. not
only have much to be desired, but
also carry some provisions that ought
to be eliminated. .
when these regulations were
them for the reason that we were
H. -
regulations daring the public hear
ings and we wanted to accept and
support the Anal decision Of the old
Board of Commissioners as good los
ers and without Erumbiing.
sass Sssad ss anfs NE ssSenss e sss,st.s the
with you protest against the pro-
vision. of the new regulations which
requires visiting motorists to register
with the police, department, and we
should also like to urge upon you
the importance Of including a pro-
The registering with the police
department provision. will. we be-
lieve. cause AZ much resentment
among visitors to Washington as the
Ma ryiand license tag does among the
District motorists. Also the provi-
for reciprocity between the District
OF Columbia and Maryland. which
we hope to erect before January /,
1922.
Pedestrian Regulation Urged.
'The regulation of pedestrians. on
busy thoroughfares is becoming the
proper and accepted thing in an ever
increasing number of busy cities.
regulation is not solely q
persons believe. but strictly a $3.50
Our idea is to require
to cross at crossings and
give. them the right of way there,
while motorists would have the right
Of way between streets. OF course.
at busy crossings the traffic police
men would signal both pedestrians
and motorists"
In regard to the registering of visit
ing motorists, the association be-
lieves that one license plate on q
car sho1ld be good for either passage
Or q short stay through the forty
eight states Of the Union, as is evil
denced by its determined fight to pro-
cure reciprocity between the District
and Maryland,
A regulation of this kind. in the
opinion OF the A. A. A.. would not only
10 thousands OF visitors to this city,
but, would work against reciprocity
with Maryland, which every local
is striving for.
The association points out that in
,ther states of, the country a motor
at is welcome, without the annoy
1nce of reporting at a police station,
% stay until hisstime limit runs out.
which in the majority of cases is
,ither thirty or sixty days.
AS pointed out in the letter, many
cities throughout the country have
,ut into effect pedestrian regulations.
Hartford Arrests "Jaywalkers.,
Hartford. Conn, is one of the most
.ecent examples Of traffic observance
IN the part Of both walkers and
lrivers. Four persons were arrested
n that city on the first day the regu-
alton went into effect and all were
he following morning.
Extra policemen were stationed on |,
Ill, busy corners and implicit obedi. |
,nce to all traffic signals was de-
stop" meant stop. and whoever
Iisregarded the signal was immedi-
Itely escorted by one Of "Hartford's /
rom which the original departure !
vas made and there cautioned to !
try it over again and do 1t right. be- !
ween the chalk lines"
One man suddenly discovered that /
le wanted to get a car at an isle of ;
afety, a DlOck away. ana beng a
tudent of geometry. he started for
lis objective on a straight line.
When he was about half way be-
ween sidewalks. hopelessly jammed
etween- automobiles. trucks and
wagons, a policeman found him and
insisted on ~escorting him back to the
tartins point SO that he could do an
Moore number. Indignation at not
eing allowed to navigate the mid
IL rfs the streets at will did nof Tn
ress the cop and the man return
d whence he came and the car con.
nued on its way unconcerned
800 IN ARMY TESTS. /