Evening star., 1925-02-19
SENATE APPROVES
TRAFFIC MEASURE
Seven Other D. c. Bills Pass.
ed and Prospects Brighten
for Still Further Action.

The program of important District
legislation before Congress made con-
siderable progress at last nights ses-
sion of the Senate, when eight Dis
trict bills, including the traffic regu-
lation bill, were passed.
Senator Ball, chairman of the Dis
trict committee, much encouraged by
the success of the public school build
ing bill, the traffic bill and others
which have been put through within
the last four or five days, will seek
early consideration OF the public well
fare bill, which has passed the House
and is now or the Senate calendar.
Other important measures for which
he hopes to obtain consideration in
the Senate before adjournment are
the street railway merger bill and
the rent bill. There is opposition to
both these measures, however.
Chance for Welfare Bill.
The public welfare bill. it is be-
lieved. has a good chance of becoming
a law. although there is some opposi-
tion to the measure as it now stands
The bill was called on the calendar
last night. but on objection of Sena-
tor King of Utah it was not taken up
desirous of attaching to the street
railway merger bill an amendment
which would compel the combination
company to charge fares no. i~ excess
OF b cents, with six tickets 70. a quar-
ter, and which would prevent the Pub
lie Utilities Commission from iacreas-
ing the rate of fare. He has objected
each time the merger bill was called
up for consideration.
Rent Bill Has Enemies.
The rent bill has not few enemies
in the Senate. and action upon it at
this session is not now expected
The traffic regulation bill was put
through last night after Senator Ball,
Senator McKellar Of Tennessee, Sena-
tor King of Utah, and others had
reached informal agreements regard
ing various contested provisions. 1t
had been debated at two previous
night sessions of the Senate. 1t will
be considered in the House on Mon
day.
The bill as finally passed provides s
for a traffic director. who shall be an
assistant chief of police. 1t provides
for 100 additional policemen in the
District, and for two additional Police
Court judges, and provides for more
drastic punishment of violations of
traff1c laws and regulations.
Provisions Of Bill.
If the bill is passed by the House
and is approved by the President. it
will become effective SO days after
that approval.
The impounding of automobiles of
motorists who continue to violate
parking regulations is provided for.
prL a. iv r. RI
to designate boulevard highways.
The proposal to shift the burden of
proof to the defendant in cases of
reckless driving was eliminated from
the bill. Proposed mandatory Jail
sentences for reck1essness, hitting
and running" and driving while
drung likewise were stricken from
the measure.
A compromise amendment agreed to
fix the penalty for fleeing from the
scene of an accident at from 500 to
$500 fine or Imprisonment from so
days to 6 months. or both fine and
impri sonment, in the discretion Of the
court.
A second offender would be subject
to a fine OF from $500 to $1,000 or i'm
prisonment of from 6 months to l
year, or both.
The penalty for driving under the
infuenCo or liquor OF OTuSS Wouiu pe
the same, except that in cases of sec
ond or subsequent offenses the fine
would be from 5000 to 81 900 or from
6 months to 1 year in jair, or both.
The use of a smoke screen would
be made felony, punishable by i'm
prisonment~of from 1 to years.
The director would be given juris-
diction over the issuance of drivers
permits, which would be renewable
annually upon payment of fee, of 81.
Other District Measures.
other District measures passed by
the Senate last night were:
A bill to accept from Mrs. Anne
Archbold gift of % acres of land
lying along the Foundry Branch be-
tween the Glover parkway and Reser-
voir road, to be used as a public park.
The bill has passed the House.
A bill to authorize the Rock Creek
and Potomac Parkway Commission to
dispose of certain parcels of land not
desired for the parkway. This bill
now goes to the House.
A joint resolution to transfer the