The Washington herald., 1921-07-12
CHARCESCOURTS
WITH FAILURE TO
AID TRAFFICLAW
Senator Urges Confisca-
ton of Autos on Com
- plant of Oyster.

washington's reckless drivers
and lax courts were denounced be-
fore the United States Senate yes
terday, and a new law was pro-
posed confscating and selling cars
in accidents. and turning over the
proceeds to "the victims" Senator
Ashurst, Of Arizona, suggested the
passage of such a law, following
the reading by Senator Underwood,
Alabama, of a letter from District
Commissioner Oyster which read:
II feel much indebted to you for
calling upon me in the interest of
trafic conditions. This is a Ques-
tion of great Importance, and / was
especially interested in it before 1
became Commissioner. Since 1 have
been in office have given the
matter my personal attention, and
am in constant touch with the off,
GERS.
Arrests on Increase.
During May there were 629 ar
rests for speeding. and 2,213 for all
trafac accidents. In June there were
$40 arrests for speeding. and a total
Of 2,4ss arrests for all tranic vio-
lations. This will give you an idea
Of the work we are trying to do
and the number of cases we have
taken mp, with the limited number
Of men. of which ! am not COM
planning. But 1 am complaining
about the action of the courts In
not supporting the Commissioners
in their effort to clean up con-
ditions- The action on the part
of the courts Is very discouragIng.
They hold our men nearly all day
in court and cause them to lose
their rest. But we are not lessen
ing our efforts to make out cases
and present them to the courts.
"A traffic court here would be
helpful at this time. as the auto
mobile traffic is growing by leaps
and bounds. To my mind, these
offenders of the law are partly en-
couraged by the small penalties and
the consideration they receive in
the courts. This is rather plain
talk, but it is the real condition we
are up against"
Speaks of Accidents.
Senator Underwood called atten-
tion to the heavy toll of accidents
and said the Commissioners .expla-
nation was very candid. He said
ne did not know about the curt
conditions complained of, but that
hardly an hour goes by without vlu-
lations, and any one could stand
for few minutes upon a corner
and see needless, reckless conduct
by drivers of autos.
Nothing is accomplished IL me
punishment is not enforced" said
Senator Underwood. THE certainty
Of punishment is what brings re-
spect for the law. II the chauffeurs'
licenses were taken away for vio-
lations this would go a long way
toward crrbing the evil"
Senator King, of Utah, said that
the violations are chiefly committed
by people from outside the District.
He said traffic court had been sus-
sested to the District Committee, of
which he is a member, by the ex-
pert who made a survey here re-
Gently, and he believed the commit
tee soon would arrive at some con-
ciuslons as to what kind of ! law
should be passed.
Calls for Enforcement.
1t was then that Senator Asarrs,
said IL was time for Congress 70
take a hand.
Lives are taken or imperiled
every day and the public is con-
stantly menaced." he declared.
when an automobile driver be-
comes a speed bug he mas ~,
gard for other people. not even his
own wife and children, but all he
thinks of is rushing through space
Filming rich owners is farce.
Through influence fines are remitted
or suspended and there is no pun
ishment
The remedy Is a law autho,s
ing the seizure of any automobyI,
which causes an accident, ana IT'S
sale within five days at public ais-
ton. the proceeds to go to the ben
ent of the sufferer from the acct
dent Autoists will not want TO lose
their cars"