Evening star., 1927-05-15

WILLIAM H. HARLAND.
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prevails. He Is satisfied that this
regulation, fair or unfair, should be
enforced If for no other reason than
that it is the law. But, although he
does not say so, Mr.. Harland prob
ably believes in the fairness Of the
present parking regulations.
It is believed that Mr.. Harland will
be something of stickler for law
enforcement. whether it applies to
reckless disregard of the boulevard
stop signs. or the comparatively mild
overtime parking violation. He ap-
parently Is convinced that any regu-
lation that Is right needs fairly strict
enforcement and one that is unsound
should he discarded altogether rather
than be left to die through q process
of notification.
School Children's Safety.
While apparently without any
fetishes. Mr.. Harland seems espe-
cially keen on some phases of the
traffic subject. One of these 10 the
safety of school children. II it is
necessary, the new director of traffic
probably would heartily approve of
assigning policemen to every school
to see that pupils are adequately
guarded against the hazards of street
traffic. This practice in other cities
is one the success of which has
made quite an impression upon Mr..
Harland.
Another subject upon which Mr..
Harland shows real feeling is that of
the safety zone. On this point, he
says:
''The safety zone is the one haven
the pedestrian has in the street. 1t
belongs to him whether he occupies IL
or not. II should be kept inviolate at
all times and under all conditions as
far as the motorist il concerned. In
my own driving. have made 1t q
point never to enter a safety zone
regardless of whether or not 1t was oc-
cupied. III the safety zone Is to be an
area in which the pedestrian may al.
ways feel secure. 1t must never be in.
vaded by the motorist."
Granting Drivers Permit.
Mr.. Harland seems to agree with
the growing thought among traffic
engineers and students that the place
to check up most vigorously on the
fitness of an individual to operate q
motor car Is when issuing him his
operators permit. Although ne ad-
mitted frankly that he has no knowl-
edge of the extent to which appli.
cants are tested at present in tkS
District. he concurs in the general
thought that comprehensive examina
tions ON the regulations and on ones
ability to operate a car under various
conditions are the ideal steps in de-
termining what type of driver the
applicant will be when he joins the
ranks Of motorists.
1t is evident. in this respect. that
he is acquainted with the recently
developed thought among traffic of
ficials that not to grant q permit
without a thorough examination Is
superior to issuing it and then hav.
Ing to revoke it shortly afterward.
In general. even in detailed changes
that might be made in the regulations,
Mr.. Harland can be expected to act
with caution. Important changes.
such az the proposal to permit right
hand passing. which Is now before the
and careful consideration before ac-
tion Is taken by the new director OF
traffic. Mr.. Harland has observed the
working Of such rule in large cities,
such as New York and Chicago, and
he is impressed with tho speed and
safety with which traffic is moved
there. In much greater volume than
in Washington.
Business District Parking.
"The greatest good to the greatest
number" probably Is the principle
upon which Mr.. Harland will work.
He believes in the fullest and freest
movement Of traffic consistent with
safety. In this, however. every inter-
est will get due consideration.
II the matter Is one Of according
a commercial house a sacrosanct
space for loading and unloading Ship
ments. the new Traffic Bureau head
will consider whether grant of street
space for this purpose is necessary.
The affected parties. motorist aud
merchant, will get chance to lay
their cards upon the table. Mr.. Har-
land guarantees a hearing to every
interest concerned in any issue be-
fore him.
As to such proposal as the abo-
lition of parking within the business
district, he declares frankly that he
has no preconceived ideas on the sub
ject. III the merchants could show
him wherein such q step would serve
themselves and the public in a larger
way. they would have no trouble in
getting his ear. II. on the other hand,
the public and the mercantile interests
could be proved to be harmed by such
a move. undoubtedly this would pro-
basis for his final Judgment.
Without Expertness Claims.
Mr.. Harland readily admits that
he comes to his new position with no
claims to expertness. While he has
not studied traffic in other cities
closely, he has observed il for Ilany
years from the standpoint Of an en-
gineer and a motorist.
He applied for the position by
doing no more than stating his quail
fications as an electrical engineer with
long experience with the Interstate
Commerce Commission as signal
expert. In giving references he made
those prominent in political, social and
business life In the city where he has
resided for 13 years.
1t was not necessary for him to do
this. however, for Immediately a
legion of admirers of his work. in
cluding several members of the Senate
and former Commissioners Frederick
I. Cox Of the i. G, c.. rallied to his
support and urged h.5 appointment to
the position.
Tomorrow he will be sworn In as
of traffic. On the eve Of TAX.
ing office, he thus sums UP his plans:
II shall take UP the reins where
they were dropped by my predecessor
Ind my future action will be governed
entirely by what learn after I have
become thoroughly acquainted with
my job"
Has Many Grandparents