Evening star., 1923-11-04
HEADS OF D. C.F|GHT
NEW TRAFFIC CODE
Say More Policemen, Not
More Regulations, Are
Needed for Capital.

On the eve Of an investigation into
traffic conditions in Washington,
through which it's author. Senator j.
Heisler Ball. chairman Of the District
committee, hopes to bring about a
complete change of the traffic system
in Washington, a survey last night
found District officials preparing to
show that traffic conditions are as
we'll handled as in any other city of
Its size and that the last three years
have brought decided improvement
These District officials, it was
learned, will base their arguments on
plea that Congress provide more
policemen to enforce present regula-
tfons, instead of having Congress pro-
vide more regulations to be enforced
by what they declare to be an in
adequate number Of traffic policemen.
An investigation Of figures made
public In recent years by the police
department discloses that from jan
uary 1 to September 80 of the present
year there have been sixty deaths in
the District from all types of traffic
accidents, including street cars, auto
mobiles, railroad trains and other ve-
hicles. Figures are not available to
compare this number with other call
endar years, but the annual reports
of Inspector A. ]. Headley. chief of
the traffic bureau. showed the follow
ing results in fiscal years:
From July /. 1922. to July /, 1923,
there were 81 deaths.
From July 1, 1921, to July !, 1922,
there were SO deaths.
From July /, 1920. to July l, 1921,
there were 65 deaths.
Other. Years Higher.
For the fiscal year ending June 80,
1919, there were seyenty-six deaths,
and for the fiscal year ending June
80; 1918. there were eighty-six deaths.
In the consideration of these fig-
ures, It should also be borne in mind,
District officials point out, that the
automobiles are constantly increas-
ing in number, while the death list
has actually shown some decrease.
For instance. in 1918 there were
$4,000 automobiles registered, with a
death list for that fiscal year of
eighty-six persons. In 1920 there
were $4,000 automobiles, with sixty
five deaths. There were sixty-two
deaths in the last fiscal year, despite
the presence of 1000 automobiles
on District streets.
Ask More Policemen.
Ringgold Hart, chairman of the
Commissioners traffic committee, said
last night that what the city needs
Is more policemen, not more regula-
tions.
"In my opinion, the present traffic
code of the District is a good ONE
said Mr.. Hart, who served as assis-
tant corporation counsel at Police
Court for a number of years. "Acci-
dents are caused by failure to comply
with the existing regulations. and the
only way to get strict compliance Is
to have an adequate number Of traf-
| fic officers to apprehend violators."
Mr.. Hart said recently he visited
Pittsburgh. Atlantic City and a num-
ber of other cities. from which he
gained the impression that other
large centers appeared to have more
policemen available for traffic direc-
tion than Washington.
Inspector Albert J. Headley, chief
Of the police traffic bureau, who is
scheduled to be the first witness be-
fore the Senate committee when it
convenes tomorrow. declined last
night to disclose his views on the
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