Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-07
Decision by Judge Mcmahon
Makes Traffic Situation
M0re Chaotic.
ALL-NIGHT PARKING BAN.
PUSHED, ROUSES SENATOR
Eldridge Letter Accusing Police Of
on-Co-operation Brings,
Retort From Hesse.

WaShingtons tangled Skein oi
traffic and traffic enforcement was
tied into tighter knots today. will
prospects that the result viii be 1
more intricate puzzle than ever be
fore.
From the Police Court Traff1c Di-
rector t.Idridces new pedestrian con
trol law was dealt a stunning blow
through ruling by Judge John I
Mcmahon that il was illegal ana NolC
and that he would dismiss any fur
ther cases of pedestrians brought
before him for its violation.
While Commissioner Fennine and
other authorities at the District
Building We're whipping into shape q
new regulate designed to abolish all
night parking in the District, Senator
Jones of Washington came out with
dire threat that if such ridiculous
unnecessary" regulation Is placed into
effect. he will institute legislation tt
have it nullitied.
One Regulation Openly Flaunted.
Although there is "A new regulation
on the books prohibiting Sold-tlrc We
hicles from certain of the clty's mali
avenues a number of Washington res
idents were openly and fiauntingly VIC
lating the statute by driving their car
riageS on the prohibited streets. witt
policemen letting them go. Answer
ing questions at the District Building
as to why the regulation was not be
ing enforced, police officials took ref
uge behind vague generalitieS.
A letter received from Traffic Di
rector Eldridge by Senator Capper o
Kansas, chairman of the District com
mittee. intimated the police are no
properly enforcing the traffic regula
tionS. and the answer to the accuse
ton by Maj. HeSSe. superintendent o
police. was, ''Shoo flies don't bothel
me. If he wants a fight, he know!
where to find it,
Meanwhile the Senate District com
mittee seemed TO take a sane view OF
the problem when it met today, anc
although there was an exchange OF
ideas on the subject, the sentiment OF
the committee was that it is only fail
that Director E,ldridge be given ar
opportunity to work out his problem.
before any attempt is made to solve
them for him
The far-rea ching decision invalidat
ing pedestrian control was issued il
the cases of James W. Grant and Ed
ward Glassford, who We're ARRESTED
during the recent police drive agains,
careless walking at downtown inter
sections.
There being no power vested in
the director of traffic authorizing hin
to control the movements of pedes
trians at the crosswalks of the Dis
trict,' Judge McMahons decision said
his regulation compelling pedestrians
at crosSwalks controlled by traffi,
officers and traffic devices to obey tn,
instructions of such traffic officers o.
traffic devices is null and void, and /;
Judgment of not guilty will be en-
tered in each of the cases herein
Comes as Severe Blow
The courts ruling came as a sever
blow to traffic officials, who had beel
congratulating themselves over tn
way pedestrians had obeyed the auto
matte signals just put into operation
on Sixteenth street. Pedestrians, un
der the ruling, may disregard thes
signals at will.
Advised of Judge McMahon's de
cision, Director of Traffic NJ. o. FL
bridge declined to comment, but in
dicated that he may recommend thai
the Commissioners take the case tc
the Court of Appeals.
| Chief of Police Edwin B. Hess.
merely declared that the Police De
partment would abide by the court :.
ruling.
In making this decision Judg,
McMahon stated, Il do not intend t,
hold, and must not be understood a.
holding, that there is no agency il
this District, other than the directo
| OF traffic, possessing police power t,
regulate and control the movement
of pedestrians at crosswaIks. NJ,
ruling applies solely to the power O.
the director of traffic to make such
regulation"