Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-27
Member of the Associated Press.
Washington's Parking Problem.

"NSAAhS SOu RAINING 1IVplCWs
The report on washington's parking
problem, prepared by . stan of experts
under the sponsorship of the Automo-
bile Parking Committee of Washington,
represents the most detailed study Of
existing conditions and proposals for
their remedy ever undertaken here One
Of its interesting features is the predomi-
.nant emphasis placed upon the parking
question as an economic problem, vitality
affecting business and the commercial
welfare Of the city. The parking diifi-
culties merely contributing to personal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS that is the angle
Of the parking problem that appeals to
most of us-is rightfully relegated to
second-place consideration. Where to
park an automobile no longer concerns
merely the casual motorist Upon the
answer to the question depends success
or failure of business enterprises. affect
ing o large proportion Of the city's
population.
:. The report presents certain explana-
tons Of why washington's parking
problem is peculiarly involved. In the
first place the concentration Of many
governmental activities in the central
business district-an area bounded on
the west by Nineteenth, on the east by
Sixth, on the North by L and on the
south by 3 streets-presents difficulties
encountered only In cities Of much
larger size. The generally wide streets
are deceptive, in that they appear to
offer greater parking space than ac-
Itually exists, encourage the evils Of
"double parking" and angle parking,
and, as the report points out. while the
streets are wider in downtown WASH
-1ngton, the percentage Of street space
Is less, for instance. than in Boston.
While Washington ranks high in the
registration of automobiles, 1t ranks
low in the provision Of garage space or
on -the-street parking space. The con-
centration of automobiles in limited
@rea is higher In Washington than in
eny other city of similar size.
The result, the report points out, IL
shat the demsnd for parking facilities
now exceeds the effective supply and
additional provisions must be made If
this form Of transportation Is to de-
velop." This form of transportation, of
course, will develop regardless of
whether the parking problem Is solved.
The solution is necessary TO bring order
out Of chaos.
The committees chief Recommended
tions are for really effective enforcement
OF parking regulations, elimination Of
double parking and angle parking, ex-
tension Of the limited parking area and
elimination Of parking between sands:3o
O'clock In the morning. This latter step
Is proposed, it Is believed, for the FIRST
time. It presents interesting possibilities
and deserves trial. 1t is probable that
the majority of all-day parkers leave
their cars between and $50 O'Clock,
and to eliminate parking at that time
would be to strike the evil of all-day
parking at one of its principal sources.
The committee believes that all-night
parking should be eliminated within the
space Of two years. Certainly that time
at least should be allowed for the pro-
vision Of garage space, now lacking,
which contributes to all-nisht parking.
And IN the meantime due consideration
doubtless win be given 10 WHISTLER thu
ban should extend to all streets, or only
TO those that accommodate relatively
heavy trafic. It Is hard to understand
the necessity, at present, for eliminating
All-night parking everywhere.
The Committee is hopeful that private
enterprise will seize the opportunity to
profit by the fact that it is only a ques-
ton Of time before some radical action
will be forced to clear the streets Of
all parked automobiles in the down.
town area. except those used In the per-
Torrance Of some brief errand. II there
were adequate garage or private parking
spaces downtown, with rates that are
not exorbitant, public sentiment itself
would demand that something be done
to lessen the congestion resulting from
solid lines OF parked carr as at present.
As 1t is, the actual count shows that
there is not enough space of the street
ito take care of the demand. Until the
space is provided-and its provision
!. should be profitable undertakins-the
whole parking problem is complicated
; by unwillingness OF large proportion
/. Of motorists to cooperate in the en-
.forcement Of regulations.
The parking report should be helpful
toward bringing needed reform.