The Washington times., 1921-10-20
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Regulation Called "CIass Legis-
Iation"- Oyster Willing
for Public Hearing.

The new traffic regulation which
virtually prohibits automobile park
ing in the business section of the
city probably will be repealed be-
fore it goes into effect, in the opinion
of business men and some OF the
officials of the District government.
Business Men Stirred.
The regulation has caused a great.
er stir among the business men OF
the city than any other regulation
that has ever been promulgated. ana
hundreds of complaints have been
received by the District officials. not
only from business men, but from
other residents of Washington, who
say they will not be able to take
their machines downtown because
there will be no place to park them.
"Class legislation" was the prin-
cipal charge made against the reg
ulation by residents. 1t Is asserted
the only autoists who would be able
to use the downtown section OF the
city would be those who were able
to hire a chauffeur.
Commissioner James F. Oyster,
who has jurisdiction over the police
department. and who passed on the
regulation before 1t was submitted
TO the Board of Commissioners, today
said the Commissioners did not want
to impose a hardship on anyone and
that If the people wanted, he would
set a date for a hearing on the pro-
posed regulation so that every one
could voice his sentiments. 1t Is
probable hearing will be called for
next week.
Opposition General.
If a, hearing is held. it is manifest
x.rtll No n o ~
ing for repeal of the regulation, as
few persons have expressed salts
faction with 1t.
II developed tonay that a regula-
ton along the same line as the one
which Is being so bitterly protested,
but which did not go as far. was
thrown out Of the present regulations
by the last Board of Commissioners
as too drastic.
The regulation that was sought to
be incorporated in the law at that
time prohibited automobile parking on
Pennsylvania avenue only, ana olo
not include the entire business district
as is contemplated in the present
regulation.
Merchants Asked to Protest.
Anton Stephen. chairman Of the
special committee of the Merchants
ana Manufacturers Association.
which is preparing to fight the pro
posed regulation. today sent let
fer to every member of the associa-
tion asking him to express an opin'
ion on the regulation. The letter
which was signed hY Mr.. stephan
and George s. DeNeale, Q. J. De.
Moll and Leo Baum, members OF
the committee, reads:
"Your attention Is called to the
fact that the District Commissioners
have given notice that thirty DAYS
from date they will put iD\o opera
tion a traffic rule that will make
eny kind of parking impossible in the
territory from Seventh to Fifteenth
streets and from Pennsylvania ave.
knue to K street.
"a special committee OF the Mer-
ebants and Manufacturers Associa-
ion has already notified the Dis
rict Commissioners Of the disap-
4ovaI of this act or the part of the
ssociation and has requested a hear
Ine or conference in the matter.
"It is the consensus that this reg.
Y,Iation is in absolute disregard of
the rights interests and every day
welfare OF the public and certainly
its application would work a great
hardship on business.
'This is the time, and this rule
IL of sufficient Importance to war
rant the heads of business in ex-
pressing themselves plainly In the
premises.
"The special committee would ap-
preciate a letter from your house on
the subject matter"