Evening star., 1924-12-03
DRAF TING Of RIGID
D. c. TRAFFIC LAW
ORDERED IN HOUSE
Prompt Action Expected on
Measure Initiated by
Committee.
CONFERENCES PLANNED
ON CAPITALS NEEDS
Legislative Program to Be Trawn
Up at Joint Farley of Two
Branches.

branches,
4 program calculated 70 aid III
pushing beneficial District measure.
through the present short session OF
Congress was adopted today at the
first meeting Of the House District
Committee. when the committee
authorized it's chairman, Representa-
tive Stewart f. Reed Of West Eir
ginia, to arrange at the earliest pos
sible time. joint meetings with the
Senate Committee on the District Of
Columbia.
\ motion introduced by Representa-
tive Frederick Zihlmau Of Maryland
was also passed, which authorized Mr.
Reed to get in touch with the ma
jority floor leader Of the House. 50
that the first regular District day
would be available to The committee.
In reference to the traffic situation
in the National Capital, q resolution
introduced by Representative Ernest
W Gibson was referred TO Repre-
sentative Henry Z. Rathbone's Law
and order subcommittee to prepare
drastic law going into all phases o
the traffic situation.
Seek joint Meeting.
Believing that much can be ac-
complish-d If 8 legislative program
with the Senate District committee IS
worked out, members OF the House
committee wer. unanimous in desir
ing Il series Of Joint meetings. II was
pointed out by Mr.. Reed that only
matters "f I controversial ma
turc would stand any chance of being
passed at this session. and unity be
tween the two committees was e.
sential
Proposed District Legislation viii be
carefully siftsd, so that the maximum
results can he obtained in the pres
eut session. The proposed joint meet
ings. the first Of their kind Of a gen
eral Legislative program for the Dis
trict. are expected to aid materially
in the furtherance OF Washington 5
interests.
Mr.. Reed. in going over the measures
which he considers most important
mentioned the traffic situation, the com
pulsory Observation-Disclosures bill and the
milk bill.
Wants New Books.
Answering a query by M. Rathbone
the chairman pointed out that while the
committee had reported legislation deal
ing with better school buildings. and
better pay for the, teachers, he under
stood that at present the text books
IN the schools were obsolete and gave a.
his opinion that nothing should stand
IN tn. way OF proper equipment for the
education of children
Representative Charles L. Cnderhfll. al
this point, called to the attention of the
committee the urgent need Of getting
favorable action III the House on the
proposed part. system bill. He asserted
that this matter should be taken uD a.
the earliest possible moment. inaSmuCh
as with real , S,ate operations spread
ing land available for parks would soon
be either sold or made prohibitiYe III
price.
Pay Bill Remedied.
y motion introduced by Mr.. Zil-
man designed to correct an error in
the police and tiremans pay bill was
reported out of the committee. The
error had to do with a change il
figures Of the salary of the chief OF
the Fire Department from SS.050 -
$3.50.
Mr.. Reed. in calling the COMMITTEES
to order, expressed his pleasure OF.
being able to take over the ieaderShip
after his long illness. He stressed the
need of the committee making It's
plan. SO beneficial legislation could IL
obtained
Representative Thomas BIantou Of
Texas moved that some sort Of police
regulation be worked out so that
members of Congress would be abl.
to transact Government business with
special parking privilege cards from
the police. FIe pointed out that on
1T-lt hA hud
tant appointments he was unable TO
find parking space near Government
buildings. The matter was referred
to a committee q fthree, composed OF
Mr.. Blantou. Mr.. Zihlman and Repre-
sentative Florian Lambert, to arrange
4 conference with tho Commissioners
on the subject,
Quick Action Forecast.
The resolution OF Mr.. Gibson, pro-
vidihg for immediate remedial legis-
lation for the traffic situation, is ex
pected to receive quick action on the
part of the committee.
I'VE know" he said. that people
are being killed and MANNED daily
on the streets of Washington. THIS
condition should not be allowed to
continue. The whole traffic matte,
should be thoroughly gone into and
an adequate law drawn up"
Mr.. Rlanton pointed out that the
district attorney OF the District had
today ordered i bench warrant sworn
out for a speeder who had forfeited
collateral.
That is the right step in the right
direction" Mr.. Blanton said. when
these law breakers find out that in
stead of merely forfeiting a few dol
lars in collateral they will have to
appear in court, they will not be so
quick to violate the law. To my mind
this solves the whole problem
Not the whole problem" answered
Mr.. Gibson. THE matter should be
thoroughly gone into, and l hope Mr.,
Rathbones committee will make an
intensive study OF the question"
Fourteen members of the commit
tee We're present They were: Repre-
sentatives Blanton, Reed, Zihlmau,
Lampert. Keller, Underhill. Gibson,
Beers, Rathbone. Gilbert, Kunz, Kent,
Stalker Gasque.