The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-07-23
How to Reduce Traffic Deaths
How Wet Is Washington?
By Bill, PRICE.

Commissioner OYSTER views with deep regret the alarm
ing list Of traffic deaths IN the District the last fiscal year
and then asserts that the increasing use 81 automobiles makes
II vitality necessary that the police force Of the city shall Be
enlarged.
There will be an increase in the force when Congress BRO
vdes the money which it is expected do at It's next
session The increase authorized but the failure Of an
appropriation bill TO get through brought temporary
halt the preparations for adding men.
Ccincident with Commissioner Oysters comments the SUI
perintendent Of police Major DANIEL SULLIVAN nstructs
precinct commanders put forward renewed efforts TO reduce
accidents BY the Of speedes and reckless drivers
Criticism Of the police force mighty easy Nearly any
man or tell somebody else how thing can be
done better Fault finding Of the worst Of human
weaknesses Sometimes though it is worth something If
hs persons officials criticized will listen weigh and ana
Exe Equally bad unnecessary and unwise fault find
ing the egom Of the other fellow in feeling that his
o. method is the only above all possibility Of Improvement
The great majority Of Washington citizens who drive cars
and yet fully understand the difficulties Of the police de-
parment quite unanimous in the belief that our traffic
police fer away much really valuable time in following
minor and unmportant violations Of parking and traffic
regulations at the expense Of the really serious violations
those which lead to smashups injuries and death
the police force is short Of the Commissioner
and Superintendent Of Police state then it seems sensible that
traffic officers should concentrate their efforts upon reckless
drivers speeders and the JOY riders who make the streets Of
Washington SO dangerous to pedestrians
Parking regulations made to enforce it true they
should be enforced despite the that there are 80 MANY
parking and traffic regulations in this city that
cay TO night 50 that no abiding citizen keep
Yet the real traffic menace that which keeDs the courv
stirred Is the reckless driver who dashes where when be
peases without regard to the rights Of others and without
care IS 70 what may happen It stands that some
Of the policemen who spending SO much Of their time
making against citizens who have parked hahour
orders strictly enforce the regulations as Is speeding and
feckessness there would be
which need enforcement most.
Every lawabiding citizen Of Washington who drives car
will bear witness the fact that he seldom makes trim Int
mat ne doesn't see many instances Of speeding dangerous
driving committed with utter disregard Of possible Come
quences to the public.
The thing do teach large number Of reckless drivers
That the protection Of human life and limb Of greater i'm
porance to this community than necessarily ANNOYING good
citizens who respect law and have idea Of their re-
casonal violations Of parking reeuatons which d mt ~
tail dangers to the public at large
Briefly the police department should at frequent intervals
concentrate practically all its force on arrestng drivers who
are positively dangerous and who wifuy deliberately VIC
Inv s ana me gnss q others these yOatOrs Of
against them will have fewer distressing accidents ess
slaughter OF innocent people,
The Secretary Of State Of California returns 10 his bo
go a41 g ss SIDE Ct the continent having been dele
interview IN which he speaks Of prohibition as the brrt
Joke IN history and adds the comment.
Washington is wet and New York is wetter Won can
Duy liquor IN practically every big cafe in both cities
There isn't anybody Washington who claims that this
efficient work Of the police department in cooperation with
the enforcement service Of the Government is however
AotasI AdEAetCneu SatemenC That buy G0uOr
practically every cafe in this city In the first place there
are comparatively few cafes Washington as they are nm
dersood in other cities We have none Of the night life
New York or San Francisco In the next place. we have
aouDts whether there Is single reputable cafe in Washing
ton where liquor be obtained from the cafe itself
a. empoye It is quite possible that there are workers IL
almost every cafe who keep in touch with whsey vendors
eand that they can request put woudbe purchasers in
communication with bootleggs get whiskey for them
mere - no service Of liquor in cafes paronzed by
awabidng citizens. The vast majority of restaurants and
hotel dining here do know what it is to See
wn:key used from hppockets during meal hours In the
gnItmas ana New Year holidays guests sometimes violate
Those who keep pretty well posted as to Washington A.
lars assert that this city probably the "dryest Of all
steadily decreasing. 800