Evening star., 1925-08-03
Open Safety Areas at Stops
Endanger Passengers.
Hanna Declares.
COMMISSIONS AUTHORITY
TO ISSUE ORDER DOUBTED
Eldridge =, inns Platforms Are
Hazard to Motorists, De-
Tending Course.

The Capital Traction co. came OUT
today in opposition to safety zones for
street car passengers which are indi-
Gated only by the painting of whit"
lines. contending that the painted lines
without a platform or stanchions do
not give the passengers sufficient pro
lection from traffic.
The protest was prompted by an or
der from the Utilities Commission di-
recting the company 10 paint white
line safety areas at all car stops on
Fourteenth street from X TO < streets.
In a letter TO the commission John
II. Hanna, vice president. said he has
been advised the commission is with
out authority to order the company to
paint these lines on the streets and
requested that he he informed of the
nature of the authority, if it exists.
Eldridge for White Lines.
In this connection. it developed 10
day that Mr.. Hanna and Traffic Direc-
tor Eldridge hold different views a.
to the relative merits Of safety zones
indicated by white lines and those that
are indicated by raised platforms or
the erection of posts.
Director Eldridge pointed out that
upon his recommendation the Com
missioners recently passed a regula-
tion which read as follows: NO per
son shall drive a vehicle in OF
through any part OF any safety zone.
whether such zone be occupied OF
not"
Mr.. Eldridge said it was his under
standing that if the Commissioners
would enact such a regulation the car
companies would not object TO the
establishment OF such waiting points
for passengers by painting white
lines
Are Menace, Hanna Says
In his letter TO the commission to
day. however, Mr.. Hanna said:
We do not believe that the change
in police regulations referred to viii
in any way affect the desirabiIity OF
establishing safety zones marked ONLY
by while lines. In the first place. we
do not believe that literal enforce
ment of such a provision is possible
under all circumstances, and, second.
our experience has clearly shown
that safety zones marked by white
lines only do not give the street car
passengers the feeling OF security to
which they are entitled, and conse-
quently their use is not effective. but
constitutes, in our opinion. decided
menace to street car riders, and per
mits motorists to pass standing cars
Elaborating on this view. Mr. Hanna
stated today he was still in favor of
raised platform. or the erection OF
post or stanchion which would
physically stop an automobile from
entering safety zone
Calls Platforms Hazards.
Director Eldridge. on the other
hand, said he regarded the wooden
platforms as a hazard in the wollen
and also stated that the try-out of
stanchions has resulted in accidents.
Mr.. Eldridge said the new regula-
tion prohibiting a motorist from driv-
ing through pointed zone, whether
ii is occupied by people or not, can
and is being literally enforced. He
said driver is liable TO Il charge of
reckless driving if he passes through
a painted zone.
The director said he understood
that in addition TO the white lines there
was to be an iron traffic button al
each end of the painted zones.
Mr.. Hanna explained today that the
commission first wrote the company
asking for its views and the company
replied il was opposed to white lines
by themselves. The commission, he
said. then wrote authorizing the com
pany to paint the lines. This was fol
lowed by a letter directing that the
zones be painted. and this resulted in
the company's letter of today. inquir-
ing for the authority on which the
order was based.
The commission probably will con
slider Mr.. Hanna's letter at its regular
meeting Thursday.