Evening star., 1923-02-02
traffic that there are 100000 motor
vehicles in the District.
Traffic Court Would Aid.

tranfc that there are 1OO,UOO motor
vehicles in the District.
Traffic Court Would Aid.
"Tt has been repeatedly suggested in
the past that the creation of a traffic
| court would assist materially in the en-
forcement of traffic rules and the re-
duction Of accidents. I am OF the
opinion that this is true, and should
be provided for by the appointment of
an additional Judge whose sole duty
shall be to preside in all viola
tions OF the traffic regulations. I am
of the further opinion that With the
increased number of motor vehicles
in this city. Congress should provide
for a greater humber of traffic off,
GERS and the necessary traffic equip
ment."
Consider Recon- enda tfOns.
Commissioners Rudolph and Keller
ar tn eir>meeffng today gave prelimi-
nary consideration to the proposed
set% of general highway regulations
recommended by William p. Emo.
chairman of a committee appointed
by the Commissioners to study traffic.
No definite action was taken. The
commissioners decided to confer this
afternoon with several District Of
fieials who are members of MIR. Eno's
committee to obtain their views on
the proposed general rules for action.
1t was Mr.. Eno's plan to have these
general recommendation for avoid
ing accidents printed in the form of
folder and circulated among all
residents of the District.
Seek Passage OF Bill.
nx-S+ ~ laf ~,
line with the provisions of the Zihl
man traffic bill. which covers all OF
his requests except the one for the
employment Of additional policemen.
| directed to Congress an eager appeal
for passage of this measure.
In the Zihlman bill. Inspector AL
bert j. Headley, chief OF the traffic
bureau. sees the solution OF the Dis
trict's menacing traffic situation
The measure. which bears the name
of the representative from Maryland.
It's author. probably will be reported
out by the District committee in q
few days. 1t not only provides for
the creation of a traffic court. Judg e
to preside over 1t and an assistant
corporation counsel to devote his un-
divided attention to traffic cases. but
it puts teeth" in the laws govern
ing the conduct Of motorists without
detracting one iota from the rights
OF drivers.
/. Would Put Punch in LAW.
Make that. bin law and we will
make Washington the best and safest
city to drive in this country has ever
seen" declared Inspector Headley. at
has the punch. II gives the motortSt
every privilege he wants, but nails
the wild and careless driver up
commissioners and the police the sup
mort they: must have to better condi-
tIons here.
!; First Of all. the measure sets out
to create a traffic court. separate and and
distinct from the police courts, and
provides for the appointment Of Il
! Judge. who would devote his whole
! attention to studying and deciding
i traffic cases. To assist the judge. an
additional corporation counsel would
+; be appointed. This prosecutor would
d, make a study Of traffic problems his
! special duty. The traffic court would
! have exclusive Jurisdiction over all
violations Of traffic regulations.
! Would Register Cars.
I Next. the law would compel all Dis
! trict motorists to register their cars.
; This would not only make stealing
automobiles a decidedly dangerous
and improbable bushes. but IL would
help the police TO break up the prac-
! tice of unauthorized persons driving G
/ the cars of friends and relatives BY
registering their cars, Washington
motorists could virtually eliminate
! automobile thefts. because no person
! could sell a car without showing the
District certified ownership paper.
! The Zihlman bill cunfers upon the
: commissioners the right to refuse TO
issue registration papers or Ecen stS
for any automobile which. in their
opinion. rs so constructed OF is H.
such condition as to be- when in op-
TOW, - "a IL
occupants or the public. or d. source
Of unreasonable damage 70 the public
highways" Under this category would
fall the man who. drives around in a
ready to drop off in the path of ap-
preaching traffic.
TO Note Warnings.
The present method OF issuing
drivers permits and license tags is
changed. Mr.. Zihlman's law would
leave a space on every permit for an
he issued to the owner or the traffic
court to mark down L conviction. Po-
licemen would be permitted to give
three warnings to persons who might
break comparatively minor regula-
tions. Each time. however. they
wea1d have to make a note of such
warnings on the drivers permit. IL
an officer found three such notat-
tions on the permit he would be
Obliged to arrest the offender for
every subsequent offense.
Persons applying for new operators
licenses would first be required to
take out an instruction card which
would entitle them to drive a motor
licensed driver, for the next thirty
days AS soon as the beginner had
satisfied himself he could pass the
police departments required test he
could apply for the regular permit.
Could Make Rules.
The act would authorize the Com
niss:oners ~ro make such regulations
with respect TO the brakes. horns.
lights, mufflcrs. and other equipment
and the speed and parking OF vehicles.
diyertins of vehicle traffic. closing of
road, and such other regulations in
respect to vehicle traffic in the Dis
trict as they deem advisable"
These regulations must be printed
in one, or more of the daily news
papers and no penalty may be en-
within thirty days after such publica-
tion. An exception to this rule. how
ever. is made in cases where the
commissioners consider 1t necessary
to make new regulations effective i'm
mediately. This, however would only
cover parking, closing OF streets TOT
special occasions and similar reRula-
tions. Under such circumstances the
Commissioners would be required to
post explanatory signs in conspicuous
places.
The present system of posting COL
lateral, under which many habitual
offenders get of by paying minimum
sums, would be abolished The Zihl-
man act makes it compulsory for per-
sons who have given bond or collat-
eral to appear In traffic court for trial.
Failure to do so would result In a