Evening star., 1923-10-11
ARTERIES FOR FAST
MOTORING FAVORED
Plan Would Speed Up Traffic
and Protect Pedestrians,
Oyster Is Told.

Fixing of an increased speed limit
for vehicles on the main arterial high
ways of the city, with regulation re-
quiring machines to come to stop
before entering or crossing such arte-
ries, was suggested to Commissioner
Oyster today in a report on traffic
problems, submitted by the Washing
ton Motor Club. which is AFFILIATED with
the National Motorists Association.
The club advances two arguments
in support of establishing such a plan:
First, to enable the arteries to handle
more traffic, and, secondly, to furnish
an incentive to traffic to use these ar
teries.
Md to Pedestrian.
Another distinct advantage in the
system" the report continues, would
be that it would draw considerable
traffic away from the channels mostly
used by pedestrians. The plan would
draw taxicabs and other fast traffic out
Of the congested sections and send them
down Pennsylvania avenue, Massachu-
sets avenue and out 10th street and
other fast traffic arteries.
This traffic at present is prone to
opGIdtC LII OusH ", l. ana 10Th
streets. There are large groups of
automobile users who, at present,
through thoughtlessness, habit or for
other unnecessary reasons, go through
the congested districts.
The purpose of the arterial system
Is to furnish an incentive for large
percentage of this traffic to remain
out of the business districts, particu-
larly at rush hours.
Speed Cuts Accidents.
"Your committee calls attention to
the fact that the present average
speed of operators on an arterial road
such as 18th street, for instance, is
greater than the average speed in the
downtown district, yet statistics will
show that there are fewer accidents
on 10Th street than on other streets
of smaller Importance. although 18th
street is now tactitly considered as
an arterial roadway"
The motor club takes the position
that one-way streets in themselves
are not solving any traffic problems,
nor does the club believe they are
doing any harm. The club suggests,
however. that If they are to be re-
tanned it would be well to use them
southbound in the morning rush pc
riod and northbound in the evening
rush period.
More Officers Asked.
The club further suggests that If
one-way streets are to be permanent
it would be more practical to extend
the boundary of the congested sec
ton.
The club committee recommends an
increase in the number of traffic DO
licemen to handle traffic under the
proposed arterial or boulevard stop
system.
Strict enforcement of a parking
one hour-on all
main thoroughfares is advocated by
the club. In letter accompanying
the report to the Commissioner DR.
]. Rozier Biggs, chairman of the
problem eventually may cessitate
the building of underground storage
spaces.
Street Repairing Urged.
Improvement of a few connecting
streets to make possible continuous
traffic particularly from West Po-
tomac Park to K street in George
town and the improvement Of one OIL
more arterial streets connecting
Pennsylvania avenue with Anacostia
bridge is urged in the report.
The committee told COMMISSIONS,
Oyster it had the utmost confidence
in the policing authorities of the
CITY lhdI dil
and suggestions were made in a spirit
of cooperation. The committee mem.
bership follows:
DR.. ]. Rozier Biggs, chairman; ant
r. B. Cummings. Charles F. Crane
William J.; Cochran, l. NJ. Geldert
! H. l.. Light, William A. Rawlings
George c Schaeffer, John Oliver L,
Gorce, William H. West, Edward S
| Brashears and William Ullman.