Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-28
EXTENDING TRAFFIC
LIGHTS PROTESTED
Council Also Opposes Making
18th and 18th Streets One
Way lust Now.

Extension Of the automatic traffic
signals into the ''ultra-congested"
district should not be carried out with
out a careful survey, and additional
one-way streets should not be created
If traffic can be taken care of properly
without such restrictions, the District
Traffic Council reported today to the
Commissioners.
The councils recommendations
We're made at the request of the
Commissioners, following a proposal
OF Traffic Director M. o. Eldridge
that Fifteenth and Seventeenth
streets be made one-way thorough
fares preparatory to the installation
of the automatic traffic lights. The
findings were transmitted to Engi-
neer Commissioner ]. Franklin Bell
by George w. Offutt. chairman Of the
council. His letter follows:
Following your request for state
ment of opinion Of the traffic council
to the Commissioners regarding the
establishment of one-way traffic on
Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets
northwest between H street and
Massachusetts avenue, special meet
ing of the council was held June 26,
at which the following motion was
unanimously adopted:
Parking Ban Suggested.
That the traffic council go on rec
ord as opposed to the establishment
of one-way traffic on Seventeenth and
Fifteenth streets at the present time
because we believe that 'one-way re-
strictions should not be placed on
any street If the traffic can be taken
care Of properly without such restric-
ton by proper regulation or elimina-
ton of parking, or by other means.
! THE council is of the opinion that
establishment of one-way traffic on
| the two streets named probably would
| divert a considerable amount Of the
traffic which they carry to other
parallel and nearby streets, particu-
larly Fourteenth and Eighteenth
streets and Connecticut avenue, all
of which are now carrying their full
capacity during rush hours.
while we appreciate the difficulties
on Fifteenth and Seventeenth streets
under present conditions, we feel that
the elimination or regulation Of park
ing would give sufficient capacity on
| those streets to allow two-way traffic
to be handled conveniently and safely
at all hours, and we certainly think
IIlAS SIOulu bS lIIcu DSlOIc tAlS SA-
IRENE measure Of restricting the traf-
fic to one direction is imposed.
In this connection we beg to call
your attention to a part Of the report
of the traffic council to its present or
CARNATIONS, which report was ap-
proved by each Of the councils parent
bodies:
Light System Commended.
1--WE have only commentator for
the light control as installed and ma
nipulated upon Sixteenth street and
Massachusetts, avenue and recommend
it's extension. We would not recon-
mend installation Of the system in the
ultra congested district without a sur
vey of the conditions and a study of
the operation of similar systems in
other cities under like conditions
I'VE appreciate the Commissioners
requesting the opinion Of the council
on this matter and beg leave to sug-
gest that the council would be glad
to consider, before final adoption, any
general and detailed plans controlling
traffic in the District, as 1t feels 1t
can function much more satisfactorily
as representing the people of Wash
ington in an advisory capacity If this
be done"
Congress has authorized an expendi-
ture of $500 OF the funds raised
through the renewal OF operators per.
mits for extension of the automatic
traffic lights. Mr.. Eldrtdge has plan
ned an elaborate extension of this
system. The Commissioners now are
considering the advisability Of invest
ing so much money for additional
traffic lights.