Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-16
PRESIDENT URGES
SAFETY MEASURES
Tells Traffic Conference
Time Is Ripe for Com
prehensive Study.

In the opinion of President Cool
idge, the time is highly appropriate
for a comprehensive study of the
causes of the deplorable increase in
highway mortality. as he described
it. that there may be a proper under
standing of conditions and with the
view of providing possible remedies.
The President made this statement
in brief address this afternoon in
the rear grounds of the White House
to the delegates attending the ma
tional conference on street and high
way safety.
The President contended that the
evil which his conference is combat
ing is SO widespread as to be of
national concern; and that it should
be considered with a country wide
vision. He does not believe, however.
that its solution rests in national
action. In his opinion II is q matter
for States and municipalities. but at
the same time the Federal authorities
should lose no opportunities to
mobilize best experience in each part
OF the country that it may be applied
elsewhere to the end that rules may
be wise and uniform.
Need Proper Understanding.
The President said:
The national conference on street
and highway safety has been called
by the Secretary of Commerce for
the devising of means and the making
of recommendations toward the
lessening of the numberless accidents
which now kill and MAIN so many of
our citizens. Few conferences are
more opportune or deal with graver
affairs. With the deplorable and con-
tinuing increase In highway mortality
op nd ini i,rr iy,a ic
pirate for comprehensive study of
the causes, that we may have proper
understanding of conditions and so
may intelligently provide remedies.
'"The problem is but one of those
inherent in advancing civilization
The increasing demands upon our
highways from growing population,
position of modes of transportation
not contemplated when they were
created, have brought about conges-
ton, confusion and conflict, until the
yearly toll of traffic accidents has
reached an appalling total. If the
death and disaster that now fall upon
innocent people, through the year and
over our country as a whole, were
concentrated into one calamity Se
would shudder at the tremendous ca
tastrophe. The loss is no less dis
astrous because diffused in time and
space. The evil you are combating
is so widespread as to be of National
concern, an we do well to look at it
with a countrywide vision. But its
solution does not rest in National ac-
tion. Highway control is primarily
for the States. and it is best that this
is so.
Task for States.
I'VE cannot regulate local traffic
by act of Congress Means to over
come the difficulties, to keep our
complex traffic moving with order
and safety, must be found by the
States. 1t is proper function of
Federal authority to mobilize the
best experience in each part OF the
country that it may be applied else
where, to the end that rules NAV be
wise and uniform. But uniformity,
while of the greatest value and high
ly advisable, SO far az shifting local
requirements will permit, should not
be imposed by the infexible fiat of
central power. Rather, it should
come from the common desire of the
States to give the highest protection
to their people, to regulate traffic in
the most efficient manner, with final
realization in the attainment of a.
common standard of perfection.
This is the high ideal toward which
you are striving and your task is
the finding and suggesting Of
methods of accomplishment. You have
already done much by impressine
upon the minds of our people knowi-
edge of the terrible toll of traffic ac-
cidents. The further course of action
and regulation will largely depend
upon your recommendations The un-
dertaking is Of supreme value, and
you have mysbest wishes in your ef-
forts
Effective Program Ordered.
An effective program to assist in
reducing the Nations mounting list
of motor vehicle casualties was pre-
sented to the conference meeting
at the new home of the Chamber OF
Commerce of the United States today.
Defining specific recommendations
for curbing the toll of traffic deaths
by legislative and administrative ac-
ton, consolidated report drawn up
by the chairmen Of eight committees
who reported yesterday was pre-
1continued on Page .. Column -