Evening star., 1923-11-13

I'VE also regret the action Of the Dis
trict Commissioners for again turn
the vote of one District official. in
dorsement of modern scientific auto
mobile lighting law, as prepared for
their special traffic committee in CO.
operation with the United States bu-
, reau Of standards. Eleven states in
the east have adopted a similar law,
nut in the District of Columbia an
automobile may strike victims in the
dark. due to lack OF sufficient light,
or its lights may dazzle and blind
other motorists into collisions and
| casualties.
Law Sought Several Years.
The Board of Trade has for several
the City Club Safety Group. Washing
ton Safety Council. Washington Au-
tomotive Trade Association. the Au-
tomobile Association of America and
the National Motorists Association
and other organizations. 1t has the
Endorsement of the bureau of stand
ards and the Society Of Illuminating
Engineers
Special traffic and parking commit
tees of prominent citizens have spent
many hours day after day to benefit
the District with their advice. to have
/ the bulk Of their efforts nullified by
effective suggestion from inside the
District government.
We believe the District govern
! ment should have shown as much zeal
for the protection of pedestrians at
cross walks as has been shown for
expediting street cars and automo-
biles.
I'VE believe additional legal cross
walks should be created in the center
of all long blocks. where pedestrians
may cross with greater safety than at
street intersections We believe a
method of handling pedestrians at
street intersections can be adopted
which Will insure safety to those who
desire to be protected. There is no
definite plan OF uniform training in
erect at this time to protect pedes-
trians.
we believe that arterial highways
should be designated for an unimped-
ed movement of traffic under the
boulevard stop system. where all ve-
hicles would stop before entering
or crossing. and that a reasonable in
crease in speed would be safe under
such system.
We recommend maximum speed
limit of tw enty five miles per hour in
the District OF Columbia subject to
.rrest at any speed If operating in a
eckless manner. We favor the abol-
shment of other detailed speed regu-
have no means of knowing.
I'VE favor an impounding law to
assist In enforcing a reasonable one
hour parking limit by sealing with a
lock where found. when left over the
parking limit. or removing if neces-
sary an automobile parked at fire
plug. until the legal fmpounding fee
is paid at police station.
we recommend that Congress be
asked TO pass a law regulating pedes-
trfans to legal cross walks and defin-
ing the responsibilities and liabilities
of motorists and pedestrians at inter-
sections and between intersecting
streets.
I'VE praise the District Commission
ers and those members OF Congress
who have been active in trying to Sc
cure reciprocity in the use of automo-
bile licenses between Maryland and
the District Of Columbia. We recon-
mend the adoption OF a two-cent-per-
gallon tax on motor fuels used In mo-
tor vehicles and a nominal charge Of
81 per automobile per annum for
license plates in lieu of all other
license and personal taxes on motor
vehicles to equalize to that extent the
gasoline and license taxes of Mary
land.
I'VE urge an immediate campaign
with all the publicity we can obtain
to secure the favorable action of Con-
gress as soon as it ASSEMBLIES to pass
such law to become effective Janu-
airy 1. 1924, and end once and forever
the unnatural and expensive automo-
bile war between Maryland and the
District Of Colum bia- We are assured
of reciprocity by the Governor Of
Maryland If this can be accomplished.
Favor Loading Platforms.
I'VE favor the installation of load
tect the street-car-riding public. and
believe these safety zones should be
established at all points Of heavy
traffic.
Your committee recommends the
widening OF the following streets:
10th street. from F street to
Massachusetts, avenue;
18th street. from New York avenue
to Massachusetts, avenue:
"13th street. from F street to Massa.-
chusettS avenue.
18th street, from New York avenue
to X street.
Your committee recommends that
the regulation permitting the licens-
ing of pushcart vendors be repealed,
tutes an obstruction to traffic in the
street In the congested district.
I'VE also request action on the part
of the police or a regulation which
will compel action to prevent chill
dren with toy wagons coasting or
travelling in the streets.
I'VE call attention to the fact that
traffic rules are continually violated
by persons riding bicycles without in
reference by the police.
I'VE urge the passage OF an auto
mobile registration and title law
similar TO that of Maryland and other
states.
I'VE recommend the creation of
traffic court presided over by judges
who specialize In traffic cases. and
believe that all departments Of the
District government having to do
with public safety. including the
courts. should be housed in a suita-
BILE building.
control are fundamental and the rem
edies are also fundamental. The re-
sponsibility for any change which is
not n makeshift is squarely and
solely up to Congress. Congress must
provide the law and the money nee
essary to correct traffic conditions or
they cannot be corrected. Upon Con-
gress alone can be placed the re-
sponsibility for inadequate personnel,
for that body only can provide the
money necessary: first, to supply an
adequate number of police officers
and men: second. to make the SAL
aries of the police large enough to
attract and hold men of the intelli-
gence and ability necessary success
fully to carry on this most important
branch of police duty.
Until Congress fulflls these impor-
tant obligations 1t Is necessary that
existing agencies be used as efficient
iy as possible.
Your committee requests adoption
of this report, with instructions to
present your findings before Congress
and the District Commissioners"
Members of the traffic committee
signing the report were: W. Pearce
Rayner. chairman; Theodore p Noyes,
J. B. Gregg Custis. Charles Waters,
William H. Lanham, Alexander Brit
ton and William Luckett.
SEEK SCHOOL PARLEY.