Evening star., 1928-06-17
DIRECTOR WILL
LIAM H. HARLAND has


- flashing beaconS, which are
to be installed at the various via
ducts in the city. A pair will be
placed at Rhode Island avenue
Florida avenue, Water street, II
street, X street, L street and NJ
street. Below these beacons will
be a continuous light to illumi-
nate the passage way under the
bridges.
1t is hoped that the placing OF
these lights will prevent acci-
dents, several of which have re-
suited fatally within the last few
years.
34S Markers Ordered.
Orders for 348 markers, includ-
ing shields and wing markers
also have been ordered. These
will designate the various routes
for tourists and will direct them
through the city, avoiding the
heavy traffic as far as possible
These routes have been published
previously in this column.
Because of the narrowness oi
the roadway on New Cut road and
the Conduit road, Harland has
planned to ban all parking from
Thirty-fifth street out to the
Maryland line. This plan has
been approved by the Commits
sioners and will be effective June
%. The roadway is only "a feet
In width and Harland is of the
ooinion that to allow parking
there is to run the chance of ac-
cidents.
Although it is thought by Har-
land that some of the mo left
turn signs on F and G streets
can be abandoned after traffic
lights are installed in this sec
fion, he has not made any final
decision. While there are motor
lists who object to all signs. it
seems best that these particular
ones should be retained. These
signs in the downtown business
eection prevent traffic congestion
and are on the streets of many
Of the large cities. throughout the
country.
Recommends Revision.
Judge Robert E. Mattingly, at
present presiding over Traffic
Court, is of the opinion that G
revision Of the law governing
second -offense reckless driving
should be made to permit judges
and probation officers some dis
cretion in determining the proper
punishment. Forced to impose
several jail sentences recently
which he felt were unjust, the
Judge has recommended that the
statute at least be altered so as
10 fix a time limit of two or three
years, after which fines might be
imposed as an alternative to i'm
prisonment.
A man convicted of two cases
of reckless driving within years
or 10 deserves no sympathy. If
a fine upon conviction on the first
offense does not make any i'm
preston, a Jail sentence should be
imposed on the second offense.
In the case of speeding, how
ever, 1t is different. A speeder is
not necessarily reckless. Few mo-
torists exist that do not at some
times step down on the accelera-
tor a bit. It Is a violation Of the
traffic regulations. but not a seri-
Gus one, unless the speed Is too
great.
Often 1t Is done without think
Ing. OF course. that Is not an
excuse, but at the same time 1t
does not appear TO merit a man.
datory jail sentence should one
be convicted three times within a
number of years. A couple Of
railes over the limit within a long
interval of time does not seem 10
~arrant such extreme measures.
A conviction of going so miles an
hour twice or three times within
snv number Of years would war
rant heavy penalty.
1t would be sensible to leave the
renalty up TO the discretion Of the
Judge In the cases Of violating
the sreed regulations. Speeding
n not like a violation of the
pann1es law. and the judges
hands should not be tied. A re-
vision Of that part Of the trafie
set rs In order. but hardly the
ryle governing reckless driving.
"Gyp" Tire Trading.
According TO reports OF the
Better Business Bureau here.
Washington LIS pretty free OF the
So-calied "gyp" tire retreaders. A
r1Otorist who buys a tire here is
pretty sure 10 get what Is repre-
scnted 70 him. A few complaints
have been made 10 the Better
Business Bureau. but In each caGe
adjustments followed. There hes
not been a single conviction of
false pretenses I'm the city for
such tire selling. A motoriSt is
reported N have recently bought
tire for $i25. The tire was rep
resented as being slightly worn
II was. only the dealer did not
know the meaning OF slightly. >
The tire lasted about one mile
But the motorists could not com
Diain very much. He should have
Known he couldn't get much tire
for $i25.
In New York, however, the sit
nation is very bad. The following
ts the report sent out by the Ma
fiGnal Better Business Bureau
Inn.. Of that city:
Tons Of reclaimed rubber. rang
ing all the way from wornou'
f9ot-wateY bottles 10 discarded
parden hose and automobile
tires. are used by "gyD" tire re-
Ereadfrs every month In New
York City t0 reiuyenate old cas-
ires ~ that they may be sold ~
yaew. hrst-OuaIity tires, Such. n