Evening star., 1925-04-30
ELDR|DGE TO SEEK
SUPERVISION OVER
POLICEMEN
Believes Transfer of Bureau
Would Simplify Enforce
ment of Law.
CALLS FOR COOPERATION
OF ENTIRE POLICE FORCE
New Questions Being Prepared for
Those Applying for Driv-
ing Permits.

Request that the Traffic Bureau Of
the Police Department be placed un-
der his general supervision will be
made today by Traffic Director cid
ridge in letter to Acting Superin-
tendent of Police Evans.
Mr.. Eldridge said it is his belief
the Traffic Bureau. commanded by In
spector Albert ]. Headley, should con
tinue to function as at present in the
building at 1903 E street, but that ad-
ministration of traffic matters would
be simplified by having it directly af-
ffliated with his office.
This arrangement. it was pointed
out, would eliminate red tape by en-
abling Mr.. EIdridge to take UP traffic
questions directly with officials of the
Police Traffic Bureau instead of going
through police headquarters.
Will Ask Cooperation.
In the same letter Mr.. Eldridge will
request that all members of the police
force be instructed to cooperate in
carrying cut the new regulations Mr
Eldridge said his object is to have
every member of the force realize that
he is responsible for enforcement of
traffic laws and not leave these regu-
lations to the care only of men spe-
officially assigned to traffic work
Director Eldridge also is preparing
an outline OF new questions to be
asked Of applicants for operators per
mlts by Inspector Headley's men, be-
ginning Monday. May T.
Preparing New Questions.
we are not going to ask appli.
cants any catch questions, but we
are going to have an examination
that an applicant will not be able To
pass unless he is familiar with the
new regulations" Director Eldridge
said.
The director indicated that the new
examination sheet will deal princi.
pally with questions that relate To
safe driving. Applicants also Will be
required, as at present, to give an
actual demonstration at the wheel OF
a car.
The most important innovation in
the issuance of permits. beginning
Monday, is that the applicant re
ceives only a temporary permit for 10
Gays TO enable the traffic bureau to
check up on information given by the
applicant.
Car Safety Up.
Col. l. c. Moller. engineer in the
traffic office. and John H. Hanna, vice
- A~'ANSiIt Vi lilC NdJ4ldl IIdGllOIl 70.
are considering the problem Of how
to safeguard pedestrians waiting for
streets cars, on outlying throughfares
where there are no loading platforms.
One suggestion was made by Col.
Moller that a semaphore be tried out
at the curb. that a pedestrian could
raise to warn an approaching street
car that he is waiting to board it. The
stopping of the car would make il
necessary for vehicles also to stop
Officials have not yet decided whether
they will try this solution.
Fear to Leave Sidewalk.
Mr.. Hanna explained today that on
any busy street. like Connecticut ave
nue. extended, passengers are afraid to
stand near the tracks to wait for
car except where there is an elevated
platform. If they wait at the curb
and a line of machines is approach
ing parallel with the street car the
motorman frequently does not see the
passenger on the curb and does not
stop unless there should be some one
to alight.
Director Eldridge has ordered 10000
copies of the new traffic code. which
becomes effective Sunday, and they
are expected to be available from the
printer by Saturday.