The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-02-17
Pulling the Teeth in the D. G.
Traffic Bill
By Bull PRICE.

In the Senatorial dental parlors of Doctors Reed and Nc
Ker these specialists have been busy extracting teeth from
the District traffic bill The famous legislative teeth pullers
gave the patient cocaine laughing gas that night
sion last him helpless he hasn't demonstrated
although own dentist Doctor Ball. of Delaware, stood
by and sought to have the teeth remain.
II does not possible that traffic legislation so i'm
pOrtant to greater safety life and limb in the District
viii fail of enactment this session. matter what the
rush the houses of Congress Senators and Congress-
unanimous the need for bringing our traffic laws
MP to date Every of Congress traversing the
thoroughfare of District subject to the pers of
careless and drunken drivers and undoubtedly wants to
adequate punishment inflicted upon dangerous volaors with
bad records.
Senate wording of traffic bill ought to be easily
roned out conference between the two houses and an
effective traffic law result.
Both the Senate and House bills did need some modification
already pointed in this newspaper Putting the burden
driving upon an automobile driver running over twenty
miles hour, when the proposed law allows maximum.
speed Of twenty-five miles, stretching things pretty far
The burden proof in case the kind of
robberies and other Grimes always the prosecution
f the bill should 90 through as originally framed.
The punishments provided in the bill for first offences
option Offenders must be sent to ai upon conviction re-
CARELESS of the circumstances and Of past good records Any
law enacted BY Congress should be drastic e TO
after the first growing in severity with each violation
and conviction.
Whatever the outcome as to this legislation however there
viii distinct improvement in local traffic the District
appropriation bill goes through the Senate passed by the
House. This annual District budget amended in the
House to provide for two additional police court judges
and staff sufficient promptly handle all traffic
before that court In addition to this provision for new
judges the amendment puts stop to demands for jury trials
unless the fine for offense exceeds $500 or the jail
sentence is ninety days.
The weakest feature Of existing traffic laws in the District
has been the congestion Of traffic in the Police Court
where the two Judges handling all kinds Of cases. are
unable to clear the crowded dockets
The Of traffic voator has been able to demand
jury trial and thereby postpone his trial indefinitely owing
hundreds Of ahead Of his The result has been wide
spread defiance Of law the part Of and who
cared nothing for human life property
With the passage Of the District appropriation bill traffic
volaors viii be brought to prompt trail before witnesses
against them have LETT the city become Indifferent Quick
punishment the for doing Delays and
poponement Of trials invariably work to the benefit Of Of
tenders and criminals generally.
Additional police judges and speedy trials alone going
reduce traffic offences In this city matter what the
outcome as to the new traffic laws.