The Washington times., 1924-12-04

Washington in eclipse.
The poor illumination Washington national disgrace
beyond question Engineer Commissioner and his
sociates realized this long ago. and have been trying to get
appropriations from Congress to start upon modern plan
of lighting Practically nothing has been accomplished The
truth may not sink into Congress until there series
Of startling crimes which will get close home to Senators
and Representatives, many of whom spend time trying
to tear down the Nations Capital than to build up and
make it safe to live in.
Our principal trouble is that have Senator, Con-
gresham delegate to look after interests All the
help get all the protection given through the kindly
work Of few congressman Senators District
mittees
There absolute lack work Congress meeting
needs Samples of this every day presented. Con-
gresham ZIHLNGAN of Maryland ranking Republican on
the House District Committee has introduced bill contain
ing the most drastic penalties for these hit and run
motorists who smash into human beings and dart away leaving
their victims dead injured in the Fines and i'm
prisonment provided well forfeiture Of offending
machines.
All this is well and good The enactment of such law
would be helpful but would be drop in the bucket
Of the real legislative needs of the District having in view the
reduction of crime and the bringing quick justice Of all sorts
Of criminals
Mr. zihlman will just combine his bill with other out
standing legislative needs and stand back of bill until
It becomes law may get somewhere. But MIR. Nhman
while good friend of the District representative Of the
State Of Maryland He has many other things look out
pected to devote himself unremtngy to District matters
exclusively?
We have pointed fundamental legislative needs
protect public welfare here
l. Drastic limitation of licenses to drive automobiles,
that only people good character standing idea
responsibility may get Them eliminating criminals low char
acters, the weak-minded and undesirables generally
Additional judges and increased prosecuting safs the
Supreme police of the city that offenders
and criminals may be brought to quick trial. instead Of the
reasonable they have that congestion will
give them long time before they face juries.
definite law giving the Commissioners the right to
woke drivers licenses for certain and any time the
Commissioners believe that licenses in the hands Of crm
mails and the unfit.
More policemen pass upon the characters of applicants
for permits and those already holding permits about whom
there is doubt.
There other things including better illumination which
should be added the list space in one
day to present them ALL
So what should have is comprehensive law embodyng
all these remedial agencies not sporadic bills dropped
Congressional hoppers and possibly adopted in haphazard
manner.
The granting of Judges prosecuting officers police
men, and better illumination will require by appropria
ton committees and Congress- after other committees and
Congress have acted.
Who have in Congress follow the legislative mazes
and get comprehensive clear legislation the appropr
tcns required? Everybodys business nobodys business
The Commissioners do their level best engen Congress
needs but they do not have the right to the floors
of Congress They haven't the time to follow interests
through all Congressional qualifications would Senator
Congressman elected by us for that purpose
Thus it should be plain to correspondent why
crime increases here We cant get the laws need We
cant get the money need to administer laws We haven't
enough judges to handle the badly congested criminal CAL
endars We haven't enough policemen We give licenses
anybody, fool criminal to drive We haven't suf
cent law to revoke licenses when issued We haven't enough
light city streets to prevent CROOKS yeggmen auto killers
and all sorts OF criminals doing almost as they please.
And streets poorly lighted that honest respectable
citizens find little pleasure in driving them at night
especially on rainy night when the lights and shadows keep
drivers edge The irresponsible speeder and
drunk doesn't He just smashes into whatever ahead
Of hing and runs away.