Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-04
PRESIDENT SIGNS
D. c. TRAFFIC BILL
Improvement in Regulations
Made Possible Under
New Provisions.

Marked Improvement in the regu-
lation of traffic in Washington in the
near future has been made possible
by Congress cnaCting yesterday the
new traffic bill. which was signed by
the President in the closing hour of
the session.
The three main features of the act
are Il provision for the renewal of the
more than 100000 drivers permits
that expired March 81: granting of
authority to the traffic director To sus-
pend and revoke permits without
waiting for conviction in court, and
authority TO use not to exceed $3.50
900 OF the fund from fees for permits
in extending the electrical traffic sig
nal light system.
Control Given Over Horses.
The first section of the new law
defines more clearly the term we
hicle" to make II cover any appliance
moved over "A highway on wheels or
traction tread including street cars
,and draft animals. The old law left
doubt as to the directors control over
horses and street ears.
The term "traftic' Is hrOddeneu to
include pedestrians.
| nder the new law ali outstanding
operator permits will have to he re-
newed at a fee of So and the new per
init will be good for three years. II
is this revenue the director will Use
to extend the signal light system now
in operation on Sixteenth street and
Massachusetts, avenue. 1t is planned
gradually to install similar lights on
most of the main traffic arteries under
zone system that already has been
chartered. The appropriation act for
this year authorizes this work to be
done.
Forms for applications for the new
permits are ready to go to the print
erS, and other arrangements com
pleted for the tremendous task of is
suing the drivers cards. Mr.. E,ldridSe
announced that he has abandoned his
original idea of staggering the reis
suance of the permits under an al
phabetiCal system and instead will dis
tribute the applications at the various
police precincts, American Automo
bile Association, the National Press
\ Club and other organizations. where
motorists may procure them and leave
the necessary So for the permit. The
permits will be mailed to the appli
CantS.
Permits Reissued July Is.
The traffic director expects to begin
the resistance of the permits about
July Is, and believes that under the
new plan it will be possible to dis
tribute the new cards in about three
months. Under the staggered plan ii
was estimated that it would have
taken a year.
Mr.. Eldridge emphasized that the
traffic records of all motorists apply
ing for the new permits would be
carefully examined before a new card
is issued. Those whom he regards as
unfit to operate a car because of their
past records for traffic violations will
be denied a new permit.
Before attempting to enforce some
of the major provisions of the new
traffic code, Mr.. Eldridge indicated
that he would confer with the District
Traffic Council, the trade bodies and
other interested organizations and
citizens.
The old law provided for the revo-
cation of permits following conviction
on certain serious charges. The new
law gives the director the power to
suspend or revoke an operators per-
init for any cause deemed sufficient,
with the following limitation inserted
by the Senate and agreed to in con-
ference:
provided. that in each case where
a permit is revoked or suspended the
reasons therefor shall be set out in
the order of revocation or suspension;
and provided. further that such order
shall take effect 10 days after its
issuance unless the holder of the per
NIT shall have filed within such
period written application with the
&c hn .t,-ir nf n
lumbia for review of the order of
the director or his assistant; if, upon
such review, the Commissioners shall
sustain the order of the director or his
assistant, such order shall become
effective Immediately; but if upon
such review the Commissioners shall
reverse the order of the director or
his assistants, such order shall there
upon be vacated.
Provision for Appeal.
In addition to this appeal to the
commissioners, the law provides that
any individual whose permit is suS-
pended or revoked may within 80 days
after such denial, revocation or Sus-
pension is ordered. if application for
a review by the Commissioners of an
order for revocation or suspension has
not been filed. or in case such appll-
cation has been nled Wltnln 81 udS
after decision of the Commissioners,
apply to any Justice of the District
Court of Appeals for . writ OF error
TO review the order of the traffic di-
rector or the decision of the Commits
SiOnerS.
The appellate court is empowered
20 make rules governing the handling
of such writs and tho decision of said
court shall he final. 1t is stipulated
that the application for a writ OF err
ror shall not operate as stay OF the
order of revocation.
Another provision written into the
law at the last moment states that
nothing contained in the act shall lie
pl1ve any person OF the right of rial
by jury.
The law consolida ties all traffic
prosecutions in the District Brunch
of the Police Court, whereas under
the old act traffic cases were divided
between that branch and the United
States Branch of the Police Court.