The Washington times., 1924-10-23
INN|0 WE'D
BY A. A. A.
RAPS
Commissioner Says Plain
Clothes Men Are Doing
Fine Work"

Call them traffic spies or any
thing else, but the plain clothes
officers who are watching for
apeeders and other traffic vio-
lators are going to stay!"
In these words, Commissioner
James F. Oyster threw down the
gauntlet to the American Auto
mobile Association, whose man
ager. in . letter to the Washing
ton Chamber Of Commerce meet
ing last night, protested against
the innovation.
Plan Attacked.
The letter, which prompted the
local chamber to put an investiga-
ton IN the hands Of It's police
and fire protection committee. de-
clared that the plan had been
unsuccessful in other cities and
would foster bitterness between the
public and police authorities here.
1.-THE purpose Of these plain
clothes traffic officers Ii to teach
motorists that they mustn't speed.
whether q uniformed man ID in
sight or not" said Captain Oys-
ter. ''It stands to reason that no
automobile driver win speed or
otherwise violate. traffic rules IL
ne sees a policeman nearby. But
e he thinks he can get away with
It, because no officer is in sight.
sometimes he's inclined to speed
up
Captain Oyster took the attitude
that such motorists are poor sports
willing to take chance on run.
ming faster than the law allows,
but bowling unfair" IL a plain
clothes officer takes them into GUS
tody.
Doing "Fine Work"
''I regard this move on the part
of the District Government as q
very valuable asset toward the edu-
cation Of local motorists In safety
methods said Captain Oyster. II
haven't had q report on their ac-
tivities during the past three or
four days, but / know that up to
the end Of last week the men were
doing fine work"
In his present mood, Captain
Oyster ID determined that the new
plan shall remain in effect as long
as conditions warrant. He Is not
to be swayed by the action Of the
chambers committee.
The traffic spy system was de.
vised by the joint minds Of Captain
Oyster, Major Daniel Sullivan Aid
Inspector A. j. Headley, chief If
the traffic bureau. All are well
content with the operation Of the
scheme.
Ernest N. Smith, A. A. A. off.
cial author Of the letter which
opened the topics at the chamber
meeting last night, took up the mat
ter In correspondence with Captain
i Oyster some time ago. Captain
Oyster turned down the protest.
Oyster 10 Explain
The Chambers committee on
police and fire protection Ii to
investigate the charge at q meeting
next week, when Commissioner
Oyster and Major Daniel Sullivan
will be invited to attend and ex-
plain the situation.
According to the letter, extortion
is being exercised against motorists
by civilians who take advantage of
the situation.
.'The system used here" reads
Nj. Smiths letter, has been a
practical failure elsewhere in pre-.
venting speeding, but has created
a grevlous situation in other ways"
Charles w. Darr, chairman Of the
public safety con- mittee. condemned
lighting on the Calvert Street
Bridge and urged stringent fire.
arms regulations. p. J. Haltigan
thanked the Chamber for its Co
operation in the Holy Name Society
Convention. Richard F. Grant
president Of the United States
Chamber Of Commerce, delivered a
brief address, in which he praised
American business methods and
urged recognition Of management
as one Of the constituent elements
of commerce on a par with the
public, the employer land the in