The Washington herald., 1922-10-19
Limits Up to Driver, With
Heavy Penalties for
Carelessness.
OYSTER THREATENS
CUT IN 1S-MILE LAW
Auto Association Chief
Backs Safety Plan OF
Traffic Commissioner.

Adortion of a safe speed law In
the District, similar to that OF Ne"
York and st. Louis. whereby the mo-
torfst would be allowed to drive his
automobile at a speed commensurate
with public safety, with heavy
penalty attached for reckless drN-
ing, fs favored by Col. Charles hei-
Ter, Engineer Commissioner.
Under this plan. Col. Keller ex-
pIafned. a motorist operating car
in a crowded thoroughfare would be
compelled, upon pain of facing
charge of reckless driving, to reduce
his speed to eight or ten miles a"
hour. On the other hand, he de-
cIared, where there is an open street
with no crossings. such as the
stretch in front OF the White House
twenty-five miles an hour would De
considered safe
Commissioner Keller's plan was
received with enthusiasm by officials
of the American Automobile Asso-
citation last night. c. III. Hites, sec
retary of the District branch OF the
association. declared it lis the most
sensible suggestion that has yet
come out Of the campaniSn Tor sale
streets"
Points to Success Of pan.
st. Louis, Mr.. Hites declared. has
no speed limit attached to the oP-
Grafton of automobiles. and has
the lowest number of traffic accl-
dents per capita of any city in the
world. The policy of fixing max
imum speed limit for vehicles. re-
gardless of the variable traffic con-
ditions of different streets, he said,
was abandoned by st. Louis years
ago as Intellectual and dangerous.
Instead of prescribing a speed
limit he declared, st. Louis OFF,
cials have placed greater confidence
in the individual motorist. At the
same time. he pointed out. the mo-
torist is held more strictly to ac-
count for the safe operation of his
machine, and evidence of reckless
driving in any part of the city is
followed by punishment much more
severe than Is provided in the
Washington regulations.
That such a plan would materi-
ally reduce the number of acci-
dents in the District is the belief
expressed by Col. Keller yesterday.
Oyster Threatens Cut.
This proposal. however. is op-
posed to the warning issued by
Commissioner James +. Oyster yes
terday to the effect that unless
speed laws are more closely OBJ
served by motorists he will reduce
the speed limit from eighteen to
twelve miles and hour.
such a move on my part would
he extremely unpopular. | know.
Commissioner Oyster said. How
ever. something must be done to
bring an end to accidents here.
and unless the automobile driver
is going to comply with the pres
ent speed limit. which is very lib
eraI. the only alternative. in my
opinion is to reduce that limit"
Commissioner Oyster said hat a
members of the Home Defense
League recently reported that he
stood near a crossing on Sixteenth
street and saw 976 machines pass
in one hour without one slowing
down as required by law
Opposes Oyster Plan.
Commenting on Commissioner
Oysters statement. Mr.. Hitos. the
American Automobile Associate
secretary. asserted that the solu-
tion Of Washington's traffic problem
is not a reduction Of the speed
limit. but heavier penalty for
reckless driving. Give the motor
ist more Teeway. hut hold him aC-
countable. st. Louis has proved
that that plan makes the safest
city Of any plan in ;he world.
he said.
The committee on public safety
of the Washington Chamber of
Commerce has issued invitations to
all civic and merchants clubs in
Washington for discussion of ways
and means in making the streets
of Washington safe for citizens.
The meeting will be held in the
board room of the District Build
ing at o'clock next Thursday
afternoon. Representatives from
the District Commissioners and
public schools are also requested
to attend.
A resolution passed at a lunch
con Of the Lions Club at the New
willard Hotel yesterday pledged
the cooperation of members in
the campaign for making the