Evening star., 1927-04-04
TRAFFIC CHANGES
WAIT NEW OFFICIAL
Commissioners to Delay AC-
ton Until EIdridge'S Sue
CeSSor Takes Post.

Action will be deferred by the Com
missioners on the 40 proposed amend
ments to the District traffic code, pend
ing the appointment of a new director
of traffic. it was indicated today at
the District Building.
The changes were recommended by
NJ. o. Eldridge just prior to the close
of the traffic light scandal, which re-
suited in his demotion to assistant di-
rector and the forced resignation of
Assistant Director I. c. Moller.
Mr.. Eldridge urged early considera-
ton of the amendments in view of
the need of an additional supply of
copies of the traffic code. The Com
missioners discussed the proposed
changes at several board meetings.
but the opinion prevailed that they
should be held in allegiance until the
new traffic director has had sufficient
time to consider them. Mr.. Eldridge,
however, was given authority to have
printed 1000 copies of the last edi-
ton of the traffic code.
Still Hunt for Director.
The Commissioners are still casting
about for a traffic director and hope
weeks. It is known that Commits.
sioners Dougherty and Taliaferro are
anxious to fill the post just as soon
as practicable.
Although consideration is being
given to more than a score of appli-
cants, an effort also is being made to
find a man who has combination of
administrative ability and a practical
knowledge of traffic engineering prob
lens. The Massachusetts Institute of
Technology and Cornell University
are two of the institutions which have
been requested to recommend candi-
dates.
The latest applicants for the post
are J. B. Gill. 624 New Jersey avenue,
a field engineer with the General Elec-
trio Co., who is supervising the in
stallation Of one of the largest motor
generator sets in the United States
at the Benning power plant of the
Potomac Electric Power Co., and
Howard Z. Butman of Providence,
f. l., who advised the Commissioners
that he came TO Washington for the
sole purpose of applying for the po.
sition.
Cite Their Qualifications.
Gill explained in his application that
he has had IL years experience in
electrical engineering work. Butman
said his experience covered a period of
IA years and that for the last several
years he has been making a study of
traffic problems in various cities Of the
United States.
Another applicant for the job. it
was learned, is w. II. Harland, form
erly an employe of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. He has the
of Senator Pittman of
Nevada.
Just what disposition will be made
of the 40 recommended changes in
the traffic regulations is purely mat
ter for conjecture until the new direc-
tor of traffic makes known his views.
The Commissioners, it is understood,
are not inclined to add new regula-
tions TO the already voluminous code
unless they are absolutely necessary
in the interest of public safety. Com
missioner Taliaferro is known to favor
a reduction in the regulations if it
can be done without jeopardizing the
lives of the motorists and pedestrians.
Passing to Right an Issue.
Outstanding among the proposed
changes is one which would permit
to pass on the right as well
as the left. This amendment has pro.
voked considerable public discussion
and many persons have written to the
Commissioners either approving or
opposing the change.
Senator King of Utah, ranking
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