Evening journal., 1922-09-08
Today's News Today
MOVE TO MAKE
STREETS SAFER

convention Of the Safety Council
at Detroit, spoke of traffic con-
ditions as noted there and in other
cities.
The meeting was called to order
by Mayor Harvey who requested Mr.
DeBlois 10 express his views on the
ever increasing traffic violations
Mr.. De Blois explained that Detroit
had ceased imposing a nominal fine
on reckless automobile drivers and
speeders. while Los Angeles was
committing such offenders TO the
rock pile. In a number OF states
Mr.. De Blois said. the violators had
| their licenses revoked.
Mr.. Walsh explained that he had
attended Judge Bartlett's court in
Detroit. when $50 automobile law
offenders were given hearings. The
minimum fine imposed was $50 and
a one-day jail sentence. Mr.. Walsh
explained that sometime ago a
banker OF that city, charged with
speeding, was fined 800 and SEN
fenced to one day in prison, but ow-
ing TO pressure. the banker served
his time in the judges chambers.
Mr.. Walsh also presented figures
of ACCIDENTS occurring here. between
January / and August Is. 1921.
showing eight fatal automobile acct
dents, as compared with five for the
corresponding period this year.
The records also showed that dur
ing the corresponding period last
year there were 243 accidents as
compared with 2s3 this year. The
number OF persons injured were as
follows: 1921, SO: 1929. so.
Superintendent OF Police Black
contended that It was not the
speeder who caused accidents. but
the reckless and illiterate driver
many OF whom cannot read or write
and do not understand the traffic
signs. Superintendent Black said all
drivers should be examined as TO
their fitness in operating cars before
licenses are issued TO them. Mr..
De Blois agreed with this suggestion.
Judge Hastings did not think a
jail sentence would deter a man from
committing a crime. but that every
one disliked being arrested. The
judge said that some time ago he
issued a warning that intoxicated
automobile drivers convicted in his
court would be given jail sentences,
believing intoxication while driving
a motor car the most serious crime.
Mr.. Guyer approved this and ssg-
gested that the license of such driv-
ers be revoked.
Mr.. De Blois said that statistics
gathered by him showed 33 acci-
dents a day here.
Deputy Judge Lynn said that
under the laws a driver has 10 slow
down TO seven miles an hour in
crossing a street intersection, but
that this law was violated by every
driver in the city. Those present at
the conference expressed the thought
that speeding OF cars was not the
real danger. but that reckless driv-
ing was.
The question OF parking cars on
one-way streets was also brought up.
Superintendent OF Police Black say
ing that in case OF a serious fire In
Shlpley street. a one-way street. fire.
men would be handicapped in their
work and lives OF the people In the
buildings afire would be in danger.
This opinion was shared by Mayor
Harvey and Mr.. Walsh and Super
Black explained that un-
der the present charter the Street
and Sewer Department directors
were the law-making body. He con-
tended that the streets should be
under the supervision OF the Depart
ment Of Public Safety.
Mr. Pierson said this question was
now pending before his department,
but that there had been much op-
position to the non-parking regula-
tions along Shipley street. Super
intendent Black said he had been
trying to get some measure adopted
to stop the practice but had been
so far.
Mr.. Walsh said he had found that |
traffic moved slower here than in
other cities. Judge Hastings thought |
It remarkable that there. were not
more accidents considering the num-
ber OF cars and the congestion on
the streets.
Deputy Judge Lynn suggested that
the present laws be amended so
that all drivers would have TO pass
an examination prior 10 being IL
censed and that all car owners be
made TO carry personal property Ia
bility insurance.
It was then decided 10 hold an
other conference when the parking
question can be discussed with direc-
.ors OF the Street and Sewer De-
partment. No date was set for this
conference.