The Washington times., 1925-03-11
TRAFFIC P D s !.
|. LIKELY TO GO
T0ELDR|DGE
A. A. A. Expert Regarded as
Best Fitted for Job-Not
Campaigning for Position

Mo-. EIdridge, research specialist
Of the American Automobile AS
ISOLATION, recognized traffic expert,
today stands as the most likely ap-
pointee to the post of Director OF
Traffic for Washington.
Colonel J. Franklin Bell. Engi-
neer Commissioner, who with Com
missioners Rudolph and Oyster have
the appointing power, said today he
was glad there is sufficient public
interest to bring out Eldridge's
name.
Washington automobile dealers
today endorsed Eldridge as their
candidate for the office of director
of traffic. Mr.. Eldridge's name met
with unanimous approval of the
traffic committee OF the Washing
ton Automotive Trade Association.
Cites Experience
Commenting on the association 3
candidate, Paul b. Lum, president,
said:
1--WE believe Mr.. EldridEe would
be the proper man for this position,
not only because OF his past expert
ence and his wide interest in the
automobile and its \problems, but
also because he is man OF integ.
rity, free from political entangle.
ments or sectional interests, and is,
moreover. tempermentally fitted for
such work.
For many years Mr.. Eldridge
has been connected with the Ameri-
can Automobile Association in vari-
Gus official capacities. Prior TO
that time he was with the bureau
of public roads. He is an engineer
by profession and has made a
thorough study of city traffic and
J particularly Of the peculiarities of
Washington traffic.
The selection Of the proper man
for this position IL very important
and it is up to the Commissioners
of the District to give the people Of
Washington the best man obtain.
able. Whether Washington's traffic
toll within the next year will be
reduced may depend largely on the
type OF man who Is selected for the
position Of director OF traffic.
The three AS official is not seek
ing the post. Elebridge told friends
that he would not campaign for the
job. He said that IL the Commits
sioners believed he was the right
man and offered him the post he
would accept.
About IL Candidates.
Eldridge is the only one Of near.
ly dozen persons who has not ad-
vanced his own candidacy.
The name of Eldridge was first
brought before the public yesterday
afternoon by the special traffic
committee Of the Washington Board
of Trade.
Unable to suggest him officially,
the members of the committee per-
sonaIly recommended him. They
visited the District Building yester-
day afternoon to urge his appoint
ment.>
OF all those who have filed appli-
cations, it was understood today
that Eldridge Is the only person
who will be considered seriously
for the post.
Others Out of Running.
Inspector William S. Shelby, of
the Police Department, although
held in high regard by the District
Commissioners, is said to be out OF
running because the city heads do
not intend to appoint anyone to the
job who is now in the District SER
vice. ....
This view of the Commissioners
will also eliminate Captain r. G..
Kletz, traffic engineer of the Pub
lie Utilities Commission. and Milton
d. Smith. president of the Police
mems Association.
The other candidates have not
had sufficient experience in traffic
matters to be considered for ths
Job, it was said.
The appointment probably will not
be made for two weeks