Evening star., 1926-06-09
D. {: TRAFF|CB BILL
PASSED BY SENATE
Fully Expected to Become
Law Before Adjournment
of Congress.

The new District traffic hill. which
will permit installation of automatic
signal lights on ali ma in thorough
fares. clear up the situation with re-
gard ia renewing operators permits
and make a number of other needed
improvements in the original law.
passed the Senate last night and IS
today ready for the final stage of en-
actment.
In view of the amendments made
by the Senate, the House proha hlv
will ask for a conference. but 70 ts
confidently expected conferees will he
able to agree in time to make the
mea sure law before adjournment
Through misundersta ndinC. the
bill was about to he passed over with
out action last night. but cha airman
Capper OF the District committee and
Senator Jones of Washington had H.
aiken up on a motion for considera-
ton. Senator please. Democrat. NJ
South Carolina, and Senator King.
Democrat. OF Utah. made brief
speeches in which they took excep-
ton TO certain features " the hill.
hut neither Senator sought to block
action and it was passed without a
record vote.
What Bill AccompIishes.
At previous session of the Senate
several amendments had heen made
at the request nf Senator King and
Senator Dill. Democrat. "f Washing
ton. The following is summary of
what the hill does:
Rroadens the definition of traffic to
cover ALL applia nees on the highway.
including street cars. draft animals
and beasts Of burden. Senator Din
succeeded in having pedestrians ex-
cluded from control under the defini-
ton of traffic.
Provides for the renewal Of all
outstanding operator permits on a 81
fee. good for three years, and allows
the director u months in which To
make the renewals. since there are
close to 150, ,680 permits. The District
appropriation act. already passed.
provides that the money derived from
permits. up tn a limit Of S345 600, NAV
he used to install automatic signal
lights. similar 10 those on Sixteenth
street. on other thor"uChfares
Gives the traffic director or his as
sistanf discretionary power to sus-
pend or revoke drivers permits. Tx
isting law permits revocation only
following conviction of certain Sc
iious traffic violations. Under the
Senate language a permit could he
revoked with or without hearing, but
the reason for revocation would have
70 he stated i'm the order
/ Provides that any person whose per
init has been revoked may. within 80
LAYS, apply to any Justice of the Court
Of Appeals for writ OF error 10 re-
view the action Of the traffic director.
The decision of that court would he
final, hut application for the writ
would not act as stay ~ the d.
rectors order pending decision.
Places all traffic prosecutions under
the corpora tion counsel In rhe District
branch of the Police Court. Ybereas
under existing law some trahfc NJ.
fenses are under the United States at
torney in the Federal branch Of
Police Court.
Restrictions Of Speed.
Makes definite the power of the
traffic director 10 increase the % mile
speed limit where he deems n desir-
able on highways. and removes all
doubt as to his right to make proper
speed restrictions on bridges and in
alleys. AS well as on streets.
The Senate committee struck from
the bill the House section designed 10
prevent taxicahs from having stand
ing privileges III ITont VI I'ttlS anu
around Union Station.
The Imprisonment for conviction Of
driving withoat permit was reduced
by the Senate from one year TO six
months.
The Senate bill requires the Police
Court Judges to make notationS OF
certain convictions on the permit
cards Of drivers.
In the brief debate last night Sen
ator RleaSe said he thought the
measure gives too much authority
to one man" He also complained ot
the practice Of motorists in making
right ha nd turn into the path of
pedestrians who have starred across
the street at an intersection.
Senator King again stated his oh
lection to what he termed the dual
authority existing over traffic and
argued traffic should he under ths
superintendent of police, with an
assistant superintendent in direct
charge of the problem. He said he
did not feel the hill was perfect. but
realized that. in view of the existing
situa zion with regard TO all permits.
which expired two months ago. il
was necessary to enact the measure
at this session.
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