Evening star., 1925-03-22

law. The director has the power TO
prescribe the amount OF the fee for
renewal of permits, and 1t is likely
he will make it as low as possible,
probably so cents. At the latter
900 Will be collected from Washing
ton motorists, a sum ample, in Mr..
Eldridge's opinion. to care for the
office OF the director of traffic. II
Is not going to cost the motorists
any more than will be required to
run the traffic ONCE.
Bearing in mind that the renewal
of permits section was vigorously op-
posed by certain representative
groups, while the proposed law was
before Congress. Mr.. Eldridge intends
with renewals as simple as possible
The bulk of the drivers will be able
to obtain their permits by mail after
answering, probably, a questionnaire
and attesting to their ability to drive
safely and sanely. Permit cards will
have space for notations Of traffic
regulations.
100000 Fund.
The traffic law carries an ap-
preparation of $4,000. This sum must
provide for. among other things, the
erection of speed zone signs. parking
signs, white cross-lines, the traffic
survey and the clerical force OF the
office Of the director of traffic. Prob-
ably Is to 80 clerks will be employed
in this Office during rush periods
during renewal of permits and issu-
ance of license tags. In addition
this sum will have to take care OF
innovations which may be inaugu-
rated by the director.
One of the innovations which may
change the entire appearance of some
of Washington's principal streets is
the erection OF automatic signal tow
ers. This may be done in the near
future, and Pennsylvania avenue and
Sixteenth street may be selected as
the thoroughfares on which the sys-
tenn will be tried out.
The appropriation, of course, will
not permit tho lining of both these
streets with automatic towers their
entire length, but the system will be
installed as far as money holds out.
Probably four towers would be suffi
Client on Pennsylvania avenue from
the Capitol to the Treasury.
Mr.. Eldridge is taking stock of the
tools and facilities with which he
will have to work and, viewing the
matter optimist'cally and philosopht-
cally, he is inclined to believe that
his ingenuity will be taxed severely
to carry out some Of his plans with
the funds thus far provided.
Tramc School Likely.
Courtesy will be one of the cardi-
nal qualities expected of the traffic
force. The men who actually Will
have charge of directing trafhc Will
be required to know their business
and to exercise their authority at all
times in a courteous manner. AS
means of raising the efficiency or the
traffic force Mr. Eldridge has In mlno
the esta ablishment OF a scnool Iof
traffic policemen. From time TO tliiie
men who prove most prononent
their work will be sent to attend
traffio schools in other cities and to
ADDRESS Glasses in the local public
Schools and meetings of local civic
bodies on various phases of the traf'
fic problem. -.
MT. Eldridge is not unmindful OF
the fact that the job upon Whlcn ne
enters is a difficult one. BY nature
he is tolerant. lovable, susceptible
to reason, yet withal he has the
determination, the experience ano
vision to fulfill the bill. only a Few
wears ago, when occupying the posi-
ton of executive chairman or tne
American Automobile Association, M
successfully weathered the storm be
tween that organization and tht
National Motorists Association, nm
ally assisting In brinsin the two TO
xether into one great organization
with q common purpose.
Drafted First Road Law.
Back in the early days of moto
touring, when national highway
were in their infancy, he drafted tn
nrst Federal aid law, which was IN
troduced in Congress by the lat
| Representative Walter p. Brownlov
| of Tennessee and which was the fore
| runner of present Legislation on ma
| tional highway building. His 2
| vears' experience in the Bureau o
| public Roads and his activities SUB
seouent thereto In the American
Automobile Association place Mr.
Eldridge on An unQuestioned level o
| authority in the matter OF roads
traffic, motoring and the like.
The new director was busy yester
day receiving the congratulations an
good wishes OF his many friends
Among the first to wish him well wa
ernest N. Smith, general manager o
the American Automobile Association
the organization which Mr.. Eldridg
is leaving.
The A. A. A. manager, while re
ereting that Mr.. Eldridge was sever
ing his connection with the associa
ton of which he has been since 1s1.
an executive, expressed satisfaction
in the thought that the AUTOMOBILE
association could furnish the man t.
untanKle washington's traffic jumbl'
and set up the National Capital as :
forward looking city with respect t,
traffic, and probably a model for th'
entire Nation.