The Washington times., 1924-12-01
D. c. HEADS URGE TRAFFIC COURT1|

1 SPACES are now Delng fapl0Ly I'M
proved and populated"
Drug Addict Law.
The need OF drug addiction law
Is stressed in the report which
says:
making drug addiction in the Dis
trict Of Columbia a felony, such
Legislation to provide that any per-
son found guilty OF Being a drug
addict shall be subjected to a
penaly Of not less than one year
or more than five years in the
workhouse, to the end that they
may receive medical treatment in
an effort to cure them Of the habit.
Such action would enforce regu-
larity Of habits and outdoor ex-
ercise, which, In addition to other
standard treatment for drug ad-
dictiQn, would in most cases have
the effect of restoring such UNI
fortunates both mentally and
physically to such an extent that
after their release they would be
able to Withstand temptation and
might become useful members of
society.
"In the past much difficulty has
OOGAL C~APGLAEAACCu GN1-
dence necessary for prosecution
against persons Illegally trafficing
| in narcotic drugs, which, it is be.
lieved, is due to the heavy penalties
| imposed by the courts on persons
convicted Of such an offense. The
dealer in narcotic drugs is becoming
more secretive and cautious, never
making a sale to anyone not well
known or recommended by some
one thoroughly trusted by him. Re-
coveries of drugs from dealers and
users have been smaller than at
any time in the past five years.
Harder To Get Drugs.
"They are finding 1t more diff
cult each year to get their sup
plies. Drug addicts are always In
fear OF shortage and frequently.
are compelled to go for days with.
out the drug, condition which has
resulted in a considerable number
of such unfortunates applying for
and receiving treatment at Gal
linger Hospital, which Is well equip
ped for this purpose; but such
| treatment is entirely voluntary on
their part, and 1t Is believed that
| the enactment Of a law making
drug addiction an offense wherein
| it would be merely necessary to es-
tablish the fact that a person is an
addict and providing the penalty
outlined such treatment could be
| made compulsory, and the resulting
Benefits would indeed be great"
| The Traffic Problem is discussed
in the report as follows:
Traffic continues to present a
/ V1NnRNloV1a ri Two afv fvnar
ance in this as in other urban I'M.
munities. The natural increase in
/ the number Of automobiles using
the highways Of the city each year
very naturally makes for increased
congestion and adds materially to
| the difficulties encountered in at
tempting to regulate it's movement.
Parking facilities do not exist
and can not be made to exist to the
extent necessary to accommodate
even a small portion of the auto
mobiles whose drivers seek such
/ facilities. The commissioners have
in view, however, a comprehensive
program OF widening various streets
j in the congested section of the city.
Some OF the streets are: Sixth street
between Louisiana and Massachu-
sets avenue northwest, Tenth street
| between f street and Massachusetts
iavenue northwest, Eleventh street
between G street and Massachusetts
avenue northwest, Twelfth street
from Pennsylvania avenue to Z
street northwest, and Fifteenth
street between H and streets
+, northwest.
Need For Traffic Court.
1T is recommended that legisla.
ton be enacted establishing a traf-
fic court, the function of which
should be the trial of traffic cases
exclusively and such legislation
should also provide against forefei-
ture Of collateral, to the end that
all persons arrested on charge of
violation Of any of the traffic
regulations be given a hearing in
open court.
\ 1t is also recommended that legis-
latton be enacted making it obliga.
tory upon the court to impose a
jail sentence on conviction Of any
Person on the charge of operating
an automobile while under the IN
fluence of liquor.
| 1t Is the consensus Of opinion
4 or all students of traffic conditions.
however, that the first and most
urgent need with respect to increas-
ed efficiency in the handling of
traffic is a material increase in tho
| number Of policemen assigned to
the special duty Of directing and
controlling traffic. There, are at
least forty.fiye intersections in the
District Of Columbia which are
points of traffic congestion. where.
because of limited force it ia i'm.
possible to assign policemen. The
Senate Committee on the District
OF Columbia in report on "Traf-
lie Conditions in the District of
lColumbia." after careful Investigation
expressed the opinion that there
should be at least 200 additional
traffic officers"
Smoke Screen Danger.
"The police department. the re.
port continues. Gin its efforts IN
stamp out the illicit sale and use or
liquor, has been confronted with
| many obstacles, but none more das.
tardly and difficult Of control than
the deadly smoke screen, which il
a device frequently used In recent
months by drivers of automobiles
transporting liquor in violatin of
law. "
"A tank is attached to the ma
chine containing oil or gas or pro.
ducing substances which NAV or
may not be poisonous in nature
This tank is connected with the ex.
haust, and when the driver finds
that he Is being pursued by a police
officer he can by means of a valve
connection throw out dense and
impenetrable cloud of smoke or
poisonous or binding gas.
penitentiary sentence is recon.
nnen0ed for mot Orisfc ,,gix,, .-...I-.