The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-01-09
ENGINEERS
SKILL IS
NEED
Chairman Of Committee Points
TO Disadvantage Of Varying
Regulations.
By GEORGE FRANKLIN.

Mayors, boards Of aldermen and
police departments are not quali-
fled to formulate and pass general
traffic rules and regulations.
Modern conditions are such that
the problems involved in handling
highway traffic comes properly
within the scope Of the civil en-
gineer, who is best qualified, it is
contended, to become q competent
traffic authority.
This is the position taken by
William p. Emo, traffic expert and
chairman of the traffic COMMITTEES
engaged in working out general
traffic regulations for Washing
ton which, in turn, viii assume
The importance Of national traffic
regulations and be so recommend
ed for adoption by all American
municipalities.
Talks to Cosmos Club.
Views emphasizing the unfitness
Of, city officials and city depart
nn6nts to deal with traffic problems
In sane and scientific way Were
set forth by Mr.. Emo IN a tax
heHore the Cosmos Club at its
weekly meeting. Briefly, but COM
nrehensively, he placed the traffic
question in q light which attracted
general interest in highway circles
IN all of the larger cities. where
traffic conditions are continually In
the spotlight. In discussing his
address before the Cosmos Club to-
day Mr.. Emo said:
ssIt is now recognized that the
science of street traffic is an ensi-
neerss problem. Underlying traf-
fic rules are certain general regu-
Iations, fundamentally sound, which
are applicable to all communities
regardless OF populations. They ut
equally well the metropolis and the
country borough When accepted
generally we will have body OF
national traffic regulations going
a long way toward ending the CON-
fusion caused by varving traffic
rules in different localized
Committee Pushes Work.
"Experience. Is showing that the
police departments and boards OF
aldermen Of cities and towns should
not be allowed to make their own
general highway traffic regular
lions. The practice of doing so has
resulted in much confus on and
lack of uniformity, in turn result
ing in q greater number of acct
dents that would have been pre- /
vented had the regulations been
the same all over the country.
Work by the committee in for.
mulating for adoption the Wash
inkton traffic regulations is being
pushed as rapidly as possible. it
was learned, although 1t will be
the latter part of the week before
the new regulations will be ready
for public presentation.
While declining to discuss them
IA detail before adoption by the
committee, of which he is chair.
man, Mr. Emo did not disguise the
fact that when finally Endorsed by
the committee they viii embody
In concise form all Of the elements
deemed essential in body Of gen.
eral traffic regulations suitable for
national adoption.
Approves Underground Parking.
Underground parking garages as
J. Allen and described exclusively
day, were declared by Mr.. Emo to
be practical. Local conditions, how.
ever, he said, do not neceSsitate
immediate adoption OF the plan.
Traffic conditions in New York,
Chicago, St. Louis and other large
cities with more extended business
sections, where congestion exists
Tor hours each day, Mr.. Emo stated,
could find a solution to the at
tending problems through the con-
struction of underground parking
subways. 4
Locally, conditions do not, in
my opinion, justify the expense OF
constructing underground parking
places" he said. washington has
for the present ample above-ground
area to take care Of the parking
situation II used properly. So why
spend more money than is neceS-
sary in adopting a cheaper solu-
ton which will prove satisfactory?
The underground parking plan
would meet conditions in New York
and I'm other cities and afford re-
lief. I regard is as practical"
League May Take Action.
National adoption of general traf-
tic regulations, 1t was suggested,
could be secured through the CO.
operation Of the Municipal League.
A plan to effect this will be sub
nitted, it is understood at the