The New York herald., 1922-04-07
POLICE MAY PUNCH
BAD MOTOR DRIVERS
DR.. Harriss Has Blue and Red
Card System to Take Part
Place of Summonses.
ALSO NEW THEATER PLAN
In Addition to Tunnels in
Parks Would Run Bus
Lines to Them.

A system of cards for automobile
drivers and taxicab chauffeurs, which
would enable the police to keep tabs on
them almost as we'll as if the issuance
of licenses was made a function of the
Police Department, was advocated yes
terday by John A. Hariss. Deputy Po-
lice Commissioner in charge or the traf-
fic division.
Speaking at a luncheon of the Cen
trail Mercantile Association at the Aldine
Club DIR. Harriss said he intended 10
present the plan to the Board of Esti-
mate in the near future and that its
adoption would aid greatly In solving
the traffic problem. which is ever grow
ing more complicated.
After explaining that the city fas 3,loJ
miles of streets and $500 street inter-
sections with only 1,20c men all told IN
the traffic division to man the s51 traffic
posts day and night, Dr. Harrsss said
that the cards would be used in the
place of summonses in cases of minor
infractions of the traffic rules. thus re-
storing to duty about eighty-five trat-
fic policemen who are absent from their
posts every day at the traffic court to
leStily against Offenders VINO nave pSeii
hailed there.
Every chauffeur and taxi driver
would carry a blue card which woul l
identify him." said Dr. Harriss. IF he
failed to heed a policeman's signal, or
broke any rule, the card would have a
little round hole made in it by a ticket
punch with which every traffic police
man would be provided In case trc
motorist denied his guilt he would re-
ceive summons and could thresh the
matter out in court as at present
After the blue ticket had been punched
five times the holder would have to re-
rort at Police Headquarters and explain
He would then get red ticket and after
five punches had been made in that the
question of taking away his license
would have to be decided in the Traffic
Court. The plan not only would save
time and money but IL wauld enable the
police to check up on all drivers Of motor
vehicles about as we'll as IL the licensing
power was vested in the Police Depart
'nent.'
DIR. Harriss also advanced a new
scheme for relieving the traffic conges-
'tion in the theatrical district He al
ready has advocated the building Of tun-
nels under Central. Bryant or Madison
Square Parks in which automobiles may
pe lelt ny tnelT owners. IN auultiofl
to these municipal garages he proposed
yesterday that municipal bus lines be
established to run from them to the va
rious theaters at five cent fare.
THE idea Is applicable to those who
drive to the theaters in their own auto
mobiles but who have no chauffeurs, "
DIR. Harriss said. About 100000 peo-
pie all want to crowd into the theaters al
exactly 8 20 o'clock and 1t can't be done
The same situation develops when the
performances are over
THE theatergoers could be taken from
the tunnels under the parks to the vari.
Gus places of amusement in municipa
bus lines, operated something like the
Fifth Avenue Coach Company's buses
and at a cent fare. The same buses
could take them back again after the
tkeater"