Evening star., 1924-08-26
Member Of the Associated Press.
Non-Parking propaganda. :"

NO STOuIlQ Will De gained lo~hu
the solution of the undeniable traffic
problem of Washington by the posi-
tion taken by the Washington Auto
motive Trade Association, which has
just issued a statement on the sub
ject Of the agitation for reduction of
street parking and the enforcement
Of the standing rules against the un-
limited use of the street spaces for
the free storage Of vehicles. The
association calls this public demand
for the enforcement of the rule hurt
full howling," and speaks Of it as
propaganda which may as we'll be
checked now as later
1t is in the interest of the motorist
as well as of others that an effort is
being made to correct the palpable
evils of unrestricted street parking in
this city. There is no purpose in il
to discourage the use OF automobiles.
On the contrary, the purpose is to
make the use of automobiles in
Washington easier as we'll as safer.
Here is the situation: AS a result
able rules the streets in downtown
Washington are lined with standing
cars from morning until night, and
the streets of the residential portions
of the city are lined with cars at
night. This is due to the lack of
proper storage space for cars that
are idle for periods of several hours
during the day and idle throughout
the night. 1t is due to the fact that
proper provision has not been made
during business hours and the further
fact that many motorists buy ma.
chimes and maintain them without
securing storage spaces for them at
night.
In it's statement the association
declares truly that the automobile
is the modern means Of transporta-
tion," and it goes on to say that
soon every family will own one or
more cars The latter statement
may be true. 1t is to be hoped that
it will come about, and that the
versal method of transport. AS the
association says, room must be made
for these cars. That is the sole pur.
pose of the present agitation for the
enforcement of the rules that prevail,
to compel, by intensifying the de.
mand, the provision Of proper storage
spaces, not the streets, which are for
moving traffic, but OF the streets.
where storage can be effected with
out endangering life and property.
The difficulty of the present local
problem arises from the fact that the
habit Of unlimited parking in the
streets has grown until motor owners
feel that they have right to these
public spaces for the indefinite place.
ment Of their cars day or night, a
: right which cannot possibly be
granted with any consistency of
municipal administration. Other
cities have not allowed this condi
tion to develop to the extent that it
has grown in Washington.
Insinuation that the demand for
SAC CHtol CCIlicHl VI Tie IuIcS comes
from other transportation is wholly
unwarranted. 1t comes, indeed, from
many motor owners, who wish tc
regain the privilege once enjoyed OF
:. using their cars in the transaction OF
daily business and who at present
cannot do 80 because of lack of room
for the brief parking required. II
comes from motorists who are al
present hampered and endangered in
their use Of the streets by reason OF
the narrowing Of the travel space
by double rows Of parked cars day
and night. 1t comes generally from
citizens who fear the spoliation oi
the Capitals streets.
Solution of this problem would be
hastened by cooperation on the par,
Of all motorists and all those engaged
in the motor business, and that solu
ton will not affect the trade un
favorably.