Evening star., 1923-11-27
BOULEVARD SYSTEM
FOR TRAFFIC URGED
Maj. Bell Also Proposes Wild
ening Streets at Expense
of Sidewalks.

Maj. j. Franklin Bell, Engineer
Commissioner. in an address before
the Mid-City Citizens Association
meeting last night in the Franklin
School. declared that the most serious
problem faced by the Commissioners
is that of handling the traffic due to
the increase of automobiles.
lie said that statistics show that
the traffic here is increasing exactly
four times faster than the population.
Several plans are now under con-
sideration. Among these are the ere
alton of rapid transit bouleyards upon
which traffic could move at a high
rate of speed for long distances with
out fear of crossing dangers and the
widening of u number of the streets
Leading to the central part of the city.
lie thought that Pennsylvania avenue
could readily be turned into a rapid
transit boulevard. This boulevard
could he extended west through a
part of West Potomac Park, Rock
Creek valley and Rock creek. To the
east it could extend through Ana
costa Park.
Would Narrow Sidewalks.
Maj. Bell said it was deplorable
that so many streets in the heart of
the city must be maintained as one
way streets because of the lack of
running space. In his opinion most
of the sidewalks are too wide. BY
looping off a generous portion Of
these sidewalks sufficient space could
be turned into the roadway, thus
eliminating one-way streets.
He explained that in connection
with this plan comes the question OF
moving trees along the curbings,
many of them of great age and size
and beauty. In this connection he
said that he personally believes that
the sidewalks could be made mar
rover and the trees kept at the same
time. The space gained by cutting
from the sidewalks. which would be
bordered on one side by the curbing
and on the other by the present line
of trees, could be used for parking
Tunnels for Parking.
While describing the parking difficult
ties the major said that several plans
are now being considered. one OF them
being the building of tunnels.
He said another problem facing the.
Commissioners is that of better street
ilshting. He pointed out that many
night accidents are due to inadequate
street lighting. He said that the Com
1nissioaers have evolved a street light
ing program. with the aid and guidance
VI cApSllo, llittL NIL improve the
present conditions.
In conclusion the Engineer Commits
sIoner urged the public not to throw
trash on streets and in +he parks.
A. j. Driscoll, president of the asso-
ciauon. read letter from Postmaster
Mooney asking for cooperation in the
mail early" program for Christmas
Tne next regular meeting will be De-
rember Il. The association voted $50
to the Red Cross
President Driscoll announced the an
pointnlent of the following committees: ::
Law and legislative committee
Gilbert L. Hall. chairman; Bates
Mitchell. Stovall, vice chairman; Mi
chael NJ. Doyle. Charles S. Shreve.
William II. Richardson. Russell
Young. John NJ Waters. John
Geier, j. Willard Green. Delma Pulver,
e. W. Bacon, T. II. McNerney. William
stout. Mark L. Kahn, John d. How
ard and j. Z. O'Neal.
Streets. alleys, parks and high
ways = Michael Mahaney, chairman:
William Kirby, vice chairman; Joseph
\. Berberich, William E. Mason, Jo-
seph Zegowitz. William VI. Hender-
son. r. G. Schultz. I. Chaser, W. j, II.
Robinson, J. G.. Mcqueen, Harry r,
Ashton. William Conradis. Fl. Blu
menthal. Harry Beasley, George W.
Shelton, Lewis L. Hoover John c.