The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-02
Outstanding Legislative Needs
OF the District
By Bile PRICE.

4 4s8
The many traffic killings and human mangngs Washing
con- with autos running away after bowling pedestrians
clearly demonstrates that the outstanding legislative needs Of
the District Congress that viii definitely insure
lessening Of traffic crime and crime in general.
The District committees and subcommittee OF House and
Senate VIII hear many reports and much evidence concerning
conditions that alarming this city and which will become
Tar serious unless there prompt action BY Congress and
the Commissioners the members Of these committees and
dealing with affairs in their communities there would not
be the least doubt to laws and appropriations that would
make life and limb more secure There should be no doubt
it is but the will be offered that this short
session Of Congress- with practically nothing to be done
cept pass annual appropriation bills.
This newspaper takes the liberty pointing states
men who shape and control legislation for this city that there
nothing so important to the public welfare Of our people
as legislative action which will diminish auto and other crime
here and that this may be accomplished in these three ways
the judges of the Police Court TO at least
Four assigning Of them probably two to nothing but
traffic including jury trials at the time giving the
Police Courts ample prosecuting staffs handle all cases
three judges in the Supreme Of District with in
creased prosecuting staff to enable prompt trial Of criminal
cases The increase in judges would likewise enable that court
b dispose Of its congested civil calendars Sd
eEC0ND-The passage of drastic laws covering the
issuance Of permits to drive autos by which morally unfit and
irresponsible people, criminals and weak minded would
given authority to dash through this city at breaneck speed
put corners ct random and act auto license is
right to run down pedestrians smash into other machines and
Coupled with the enactment clear specific laws or the
authority to make regulations there should be definite ga
zion authorizing the revocation Of permits to those found by
competent authorities to be untitled to have them.
THIRDA sufficient increase in the police force Of the city
Do enable the assignment Of policemen to investigate the past
histories records and character standing Of all applicants for
drivers permits likewise to investigate for the Commissioners
khe records Of those whose permits should be revoked
long the criminal dockes of all local courts are so con-
gested that absolutely impossible bring to quick trial
large numbers Of accused persons big percentage Of
confirmed criminals who find that long delays strongly
IN their favor
That there is exaggeaon Of statements the deplor
able congestion in courts and the wcefu lack Of prosecuting
Officers to handle Let Congress call the judges Of
these courts before them and get the bare facts which
appalling in their relations to public welfare.
This applies to congestion OF both criminal and civil cases
Even in the latter igants entitled reasonably prompt
disposition Of cases.
Crime bound increase swiftly in any community where
the courts overloaded with work The reliance of all
criminals is the indefinite continuation Of their until wit
disappear become hay in their recollectons
OF all cities in the world Washington should be the
where JUSTICE something and where no encourage
ment should be given criminals to ply their business
The responsibility is wholly and absolutely upon Congress
full well that justice hwarted whenever there enforced
delays in criminal trials Congress has been repeatedly told
about court conditions here and has refused crisis
has been reached and action longer be safely delayed
The promscuous issuance Of drivers licenses in the District
gives to any who pass simple physical
and mental paper necessary to run car. The re-
suit Is that thousands of people Of low character including
0epeIate CRIMINALS nave no trouble IN getting Licenses and
the police department keeping in touch with them These
same people get auto licenses with ease also giving fictitious
and addresses the police seek to connect
license number with some criminal they wish to arrest they
hre readily baffled.
As drivers of public vehicles Congress passed the
act requiring that each applicant establish good char
Rcter before being allowed to drive. This is wise pro-
lection Of the public against thieves and cut threats driving
public vehicles No permit is issued until the hack Inspector
passes upon the application.
The public badly in need Of just strong protection from
private drivers judging from the wholesale killing and in
Turing Of people this year. and the wide Of for
known criminal purposes
At present the Commissioners have no clear or broad a
shOrty from Congress for the revocation Of permits Any
criminal dunkard whose permit is revoked 90 to the
courts and get judgment against the Commissioners the
ground Of lack Of authority Congress will pass
strong law this subject and also giving the right to
withhold drivers permits.
TO carry out the provisions of such laws there must be an
ample police force and Congress must Of course appropriate
the money Either this the Commissioners assign Dis
ict employees The police department proper body to
pass upon character qualifications Of persons asking permits
or those from whom permits should be taken by law