Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-13
MORE POLICEMEN
URGED IN REPORT
ON LOCAL TRAFFIC
Senate Group Would Leave
Parking to Judgment of
Bureau Officials.
SUBCOMMITTEE LAUDS
HANDLING OF HARD JOB
Kean Announces Findings of In
quiry Started at His
Suggestion.
An increase in the number of police

An increase in the number of police
men and decision to leave the regula-
ton of automobile parking to the judg-
ment of local traffic authorities were
the outstanding conclusions in the re-
port of the Senate subcommittee, made
public today, as result of hearings
held recently at the Capitol. The find
ings of the subcommittee were sub
mitted to the Senate District committee
today by Senator Hamilton F. Kean.
Republican, of New Jersey, at whose
suggestion the inquiry was started.
The subcommittee early this year was
directed to make study of the parking
problem, particularly with respect to
all-night parking, to determine whether
the regulations should be further re-
stricted. The report submitted today
leaves the entire question of parking
regulations to be handled by the Traffic
Bureau. During the hearings objections
were made to the subcommittee against
abolishing all-night parking. One of
the reasons given was that the city is
without sufficient garage accommoda-
tions. Testimonial was given to the
effect that some persons would have to
dispose of their automobiles.
With regard to parking the sub
committee report stated:
1.-The troubles growing out of the
parking of automobiles on the streets
cannot be solved overnight, and we are
of the opinion that the regulations re-
lating thereto must be left to the good
Judgment of those persons intruSted
with the whole traffic problem"
Traffic Director Praised.
Another important recommendation
Of the subcommittee was that provision
should be made in the new Govern
ment buildings for the parking of au-
tomobileS and that if necessary Con-
greSS should take UP this question.
In conclusion the subcommittee ex-
pressed the belief that 1.-The director of
traffic is doing difficult job very well"
Wide Range of Testimony.
After pointing out that it obtained
the testimony of the traffic director, the
superintendent of police, William P.
Emo and others, the subcommittee re-
ported as follows:
"In view of the fact that the testi-
mony took very much wider range
than that of parking Of automobiles, we
are including in this report other prob
lens relating to the automobile.
"Your committee desires, in making
this report, to make the following OBJ
servations:
81. The director of traffic requested
that $4,000 per year be provided for the
purpose of making an annual traffic
survey Our judgment is that fully this
amount is required if a proper survey
is to be obtained.
'2. It developed during the testimony
that certain traffic officers are paid by
the traction companies, and are not,
therefore, in full control of the super
intendent of police. This plan is bad in
principal and is quite handicap in adj
ministering the affairs of the Police De-
partment so far as traffic is concerned.
"3. We think the traffic problem
could greatly be improved by substitute
ing, police. officers to busy intersections
instead of the signal lights In addi-
ton to this, if the parking regulations
are to be successfully enforced, many
additional police officers would be re-
quired. We think the traffic problem Is
becoming so acute in the District of
Columbia that the expenditure of ad-
ditional money for police would be war
ranted.
Lack of ID. C. Law.
a.. The District of Columbia has no
law requiring owners of cars to have
a certificate of title. This makes it
easy for stolen cars to be disposed of
in the District. Nearly all Of the States
have such a law and one should be
provided for the District Immediately.
"5. There are other changes in the
traffic act, relative to punishment for
violations, which, in our Judgment,
should be made in accordance with the
report of the traffic director. Our
recollection is that this committee has
already made such recommendations to
Congress.
"6 We think it is exceedingly i'm
portant that provision be made in the
new buildings that are being built by
the Government in the District for the
parking of automobiles. The traffic di-
rector states that the Board of Trade Of
the District has recently called atten-
ton to this matter, and that his office
is cooperating with the board in order
that such plans, if possible, may be
made before it is too late. We think
this matter is so important that con-
gressional action should be taken upon
it If necessary.
States Cooperation Seen.
az We believe also that the time is
not far distant when Congress may find
it necessary to cooperate with the adj
joining States in building wide roads
outside of the District and thus relieve
the city of Washington itself from the
great amount of traffic that is just
passing through. The chances are. how
ever, that the traffic problem will have
to become much more acute before Con-
gresS could be pursuaded to take any
such action.
I'VE believe the director of traffic is
doing a difficult job very WELL that he is
thoroughly competent, is anxiously en-
deavoring to solve the problems con-
fronting him, and that if given proper
support he will be able to improve the
traffic conditions in the District"
Senator Kean read the report in the
absence of the chairman of the sub
committee, Senator Hastings, Republic
can, of Delaware.
Chairman Capper commended the
subcommittee for its work and request
ed Senator Kean to prepare any legisla-
ton needed to carry out the recon-
mendations.