Evening star., 1925-06-18

own expense. to remove the poles 10
the side of the street but that the
Commissioners had not enCoura ged
the plan.
Mai. Covell was authorized to sound
out the opinion of residents of Con
necticut avenue as TO their feeling in
the matter, particularly as to the
placing of the poles on the side of
the thoroughfare.
In the past. Col. Bell explained
there has been objection to the latter
plan on the ground of unsiGhtliness
Ultimately. he emphasized. he wants
the underground system of current
supply installed but at present costs
this would not be feasible. he added
The cost of the underground system,
he said. is about 100000 mile.
Characterizing klingle Bridge as
exceedingly dangerous, Mr.. Ed
ridge today recommended in his testi
mony at the coroner's inquest imme-
diate removal of the middle trolley
poles and strengthening of the guard
rails on Klingle Bridge and construc-
ton of a new bridge at the very first
opportunity as preventive measure
against similar accidents in the fu-
ture.
Urges Safety Steps.
Asked by Coroner hewitt who pre-
sided a the inquest. where he could
suggest any correction or improve
ment to eliminate hazards. if any,
at that point. Director F,ldridge said
Il believe because of the tremendous
traffic klingle Bridge carries that IL
should be the full width of Connect
cut avenue: that the guard rails at
the sides should be strengthened and
that the middle trolley poles should
be eliminated and side poles TO sup
port trolleys from cables substituted.
Tn it's present condition this is an
exceedingly dangerous bridge. The
authorities have made every effort
for an appropriation for a new bridge
in the past and | think one should be
provided as soon as possible TO be as
wide, at least, as Connecticut ave-
nue's roadway. The trolley poles
should he removed Immediately from
the center of the bridge to make it
safer. From his investiga tion. Di-
rector Eldrige said he was convinced
that there was sufficient light on the
bridge and that the accident was not
caused by improperly adjusted head
lights on passing automobiles.
Given No Road Test.
Relative TO the permit TO opera te
an automobile issued to Comdr
Thayer, Director Eldridge said. in re-
spouse to questions, that no road
test was given in this case
"On May rs MIR. Eldridge said
Mr.. Thayer came TO my office. He
was chief of the supply division Of the
Veterans Bureau. He came in with
George #. Ritter and II. w. Longfel-
low, who are chiefs of divisions of
the Veterans Bureau. He presented
a letter asking for a permit to operate
an automobile, stating that he had
been operating machines for the past
10 years in Michigan and Pennsyl-
vania, and expressing the belief that
he was a competent operator. The
letter was indorsed by the two other
men, both holders of operators per-
mits here. 1 talked to Thayer and
found he had been driving for sew
eral years. 1. accordingly, sent the
letter to the traffic examination bu-
reau, where the permits are issued,
with no instructions. / had exam
ined him on the regulation. He signed
an affidavit as to the lack of disabili-
ties on his part. l understand there
was no road test required In his case.
The ONCE Of the director Of traffic Is