Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-05
COUNCIL TOSTUDy
PERMIT AUTHORITY
EIdridge'S Protest Brings
Move to Investigate
Revoking Power.

trial for traffic violations was reached
at meeting of the Washington Traf-
f1c Council in the Mills Building last
night. A resolution was adopted to
refer the matter to the councils legis-
lative committee to make n thorough
study of the whole question in that
regard.
This action followed statement by
Mr.. Eldridge that under a decision
of Justice j. +. Smith, who granted
an injunction to Peter Tierney in
Equity Court yesterday restraining
Mr.. Eldridge from suspending his
drivers permit prior to conviction,
that he tMr. Eldridge) is unable to
suspend a permit of any driver for
driving while drunk prior to convic-
ton.
Mr.. Eldridge deplored this condi-
ton, stating that such traffic cases
often are not brought to trial for
from six months to two and one-half
years, and that In the meantime a
traffic violator can keep on violating
the law and maintain his permit.
May Cover All Cases.
If Judge Smiths decision covers
cases of driving while drunk, under
which head Tierney is charged, it
probably covers the other classes of
traffic violations for which it was
pending trial, Mr.. Eldridge said. When
the traffic act was passed last July we
thought we had everything sewed up,
continued Mr.. Eldridge, while indicat-
ing that it now appears that the right
regarding the suspending of permits
amounts to nothing.
The four general violations under
which Mr.. Eldridge previously regard
ed as giving him the right to suspend
permits were driving while intoxi
Gated, leaving after colliding, the Sec
ond offense for reckless driving and
the third offense for speeding.
Tag Inquiry Planned
Mr.. Eldridge also brought to the
attention of the council the question
of issuing automobile tags to persons
who do not reside in the District. |
This matter also was referred to the
legislative committee for complete
study, after many possible situations
which might result under present laws
were discussed.
1t was the general opinion of the |
members of the council that the |
license tags should be issued for pas
senger cars only when their owners |
''sleep" In the District or in special |
cases where the automobiles are con- |
tinually used here.
The general discussion on the tag |
residents of nearby Virginia and |
Maryland and the so-called tin can |
tourists trying to obtain the tags. |
The question of Army officers living |
on government reservations sur |
rounded by Maryland territory taking |
out District tags also was discussed. |
In this connection. it was stated that |
the Maryland State attorney general |
had ruled that the reservations were
nd hof
sons living on them were not en-
titled to Maryland tags. Alleged
cases also were cited of persons be-
ing arrested in Maryland for running
on 1926 tags of their home States,
which their respective states allow
until later date. One of these per-
sons. it was declared, had applied for
O Maryland license but was turned |
down and told by Maryland authori- |
ties to secure a District tag and he |
would be released.
Speed Move Favored.
A move was launched at the meet !
ing to speed up traffic by securing 1
enforcement of the regulation requir- |
the drivers of motor vehicles to keep
TO the right side of the street. A |
resolution was adopted authorizing |
the appointment of a committee to |
see Superintendent of Police Maj |
Hesse, to ask that several motor |
cycle policemen be allowed to patrol |
the main traffic arteries and wave |
the drivers to the right side of the |
street.
A resolution was also adopted ap-
proving a recommendation made be- |
fore the council by Mr.. Eldridge that |
the Southbound traffic on Vermont |
avenue between Mcpherson Square !
and H street be done away with so |
that the traffic at the intersection |
of Vermont avenue, Madison place |
fic lights, which Mr.. Eldridge pro-
posed to install. The resolution |
requested that the system first be |
tried out with policemen and If found |
satisfactory that the lights be put in |
With the southbound traffic stopped
along Vermont avenue between the
points named, it was stated by D. |
Eldridge and Col. /. c. Moller, assist
ant director of traffic. both left and
right hand turns could be allowed
at the intersection named
Zihlman Bill Approved.
The council approved a bill recently
introduced in the House by Represent
ative Fred ". Zihlman for the
handling Of minor traffic violations
without policemen having to appear
explained, minor traffic violators
would be given cards telling of the
offense with which they would appear
before traffic violation bureau of
the Traffic Bureau, Police Depart
ment. The director would be author.
ICED to prepare a schedule of fines to
be imposed for first, second and third
offences, no such fines to exceed S25
The traffic violators thus fined would
have the right of appeal and a trial.
To illustrate the feasibility of such
q traffic violation bureau, Mr.. Moller
eaid that out of 467 minor traffic vio-
lattons in Chicago, where such q
system is employed, policeman had
to appear in court in only seven
cases.
Deploring small appropriations al
lowed the Traffic Department by a
bill now pending in Congress, which
brings the original appropriation rec.
commended from S33, 900 to $4,000,
Col. Moller declared that if the bill is
passed the Traffic Bureau will have
no facilities for issuing permits by
July !, but that the matter would
have to be taken care of by the Police
Department.
MOIler Wants $4,000.
This would mean, he said, that the
permits would have to be handled by
$2.2O0la year men instead of by clerks
of the Traffic Department who re-
ceive less than $1,000. This matter
also was referred to the councils COM
mittee on legislation. The least
amount the Traffic Department could
properly get along with is $28,50O,
Col. Moller continued.
The council went on record as ap-
proving a change in the speed limit on
wisconsin avenue hafWaan NpWa Yl<