Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-01
ELDR|DGE OUTLINES
NEEDS OF TRAFFIC
House Subcommittee Pre-
pares Bill Giving Director
Wider Authority.

After Nj. o. EldridEe. director Of
traffic, had testified for more than
two and a half hours before the sub
committee on streets, highways and
traffic of the House District commit
tee today the hearing was adjourned
until 7:30 pm. when an effort will be
made TO draft into a comprehensive
bill all recommendation that the
traffic bureau feels are necessary to
cope with the situation in the Nation
al Capital.
The committee showed its determine
ton to prepare a measure to be re
ported to the full committee on
Wednesday and to he made the spe
cial order Of business in the House
on the next District day, a week from
Monday. which will give Traffic Di-
rector Eldridge all the authority and
cooperation necessary to adequately
meet the requirements for effective
traffic regulation in the District.
At the same time the subcommittee
today showed a reluctance to ask the
traffic director questions and to force
replies which they felt might embar-
rass him regarding the cooperation
he is receiving from the Police De
partment and from the District Com
missioners. Representative Hammer
Democrat of North Carolina started
Ia ask questions along this line. to
which the traffic director was allow
ed TO reply without a record being
taken. MIR. Eldridge said that news
paper reports of friction between the
traffic director and the Police Depart
ment were greatly exaggerated" He
made 1t clear that the traffic work
was under the administration of the
major and superintendent of the Met
ropolitan Police Force
374 Permits Revoked.
Mr. Eldridge gave the subcommittee
great deal Of statistical information
regarding traffic.
In the last nine months 374 permits
have been revoked. OF which 10 were
restored, mostly TO people who had
violated the law some time ago.
There We're 1S5 permits suspended for
driving while under the influence of
liquor. 81 for reckless driving. and
50 for leaving the scene Of collision
without making known the drivers
identity. Traffic Director Eldridse
cited number of particular cases in
which he Is powerless to suspend or
revoke licenses. although in certain
Of these cases there were eight seri-
Gus charges against A driver, who
was arrested several times charged
with driving while under the infiu-
ence of liquor. and on each occasion
compelled 10 deposit from $500 to $500
In reply to question from Chair
man Stalker. Mr. F,ldridge estimated
that he would Immediately cancel
about 200 drivers permits II allowed
to do so under the law. the holders
now facing serious charges in the
courts
Fatality Rate Declines.
In the first six months Of 1924 there
was total of 1856 traffic accidents
of which 43 resulted in death and "A
were OF serious nature: in the last
six months of 1924 there were 4S
deaths and "a serious accidents out
of total of 4.471 accidents. making
a grand total for the year of ~ deaths
and IS serious accidents. In 1925.
| during the first six months, there
were 4.S19 traffic accidents. resulting
| in IS deaths. % other cases being
| serious: in the last six months Of
| 1925 there were IS deaths and "a
other serious cases out of a total Of
2.103 traffic accidents. making a
grand total for the year of So deaths
and % serious cases.
Showing the increase in automobile
registration. Mr.. Eldridge gave the
figures for 1929 as 1881: 1924, 81. 1886.
and 1925. 1862. The increase in
population was shown in the follow
ing figures: 1923, 465 900; 1924. 40.
600; 1925. 472.052.
Mr.. Eldridge pointed out that the
deaths per 100000 automobiles In 1929
was 121.64; 1924, 800; 1925. Ills. Cor
responding figures for deaths per 100.
600 population were shown in these
figures: 1923. 1875; 1924. 1872. and 1925
17.6.
Would Lower Penalties.
The traffic director had been re-
quested to appear before the commit
tee and make recommendations which
he believed would strengthen the traf
hc act Conspicuous among them, he
suggested that by reducing the penalty
for driving while drunk. disorderly
driving and leaving after collision
below the minimum AT which jury
trial can be dema nded. il would ex-
pedite the disposal of these cases in
the Traffic Court and prevent de.
mands for a jury trial.
In speed cases. he pointed out that
the law sets a penalty of from IS to
SIS, which he feels is too low and does
not give sufficient latitude. {fe pro
posed that this fine should be in
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