Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-09

0U,UUu auCOmODlleS OF an
cient vintage or otherwise,
too old to be recognized by
expert appraisers as having any
resale value, operating on the
streets of Washington, according
to recent tabulation of the dis
tribution of the 1880 motor We
hicle tags, is startling, to say the
least.
1t has been known that there
were a great number of cars in
this class, but that this number
will exceed one-flfth of the years
total registration is somewhat
alarming. 1t means that many of
these cars will just go, and that
is all. That many of them, be-
cause of serious defects, are a
menace to public safety.
No Safety Exists.
Any day a. brake may fail to
work and any day a steering
wheel may fail to function, per-
hapS at a critical time. Unfor-
tunately, a car may stiIl run with
almost any mechanical trouble
0AAAS AuAAAAAAAS IA bLIdt COIlQ1GIOLl,
there is no such thing as safety
to any one.
Certainly many of these cars
should be ordered off the streets,
but blanket ruling to this effect
would be well-nigh impossible. A
more stringent inspection require
ment would aid the situation con-
Siderably. Compulsory insurance
would alleviate the situation to a
greater extent.
True, 1t would work hardShipS
on many who would be unable to
afford better machines, or even
afford to repair them, but this
cannot be considered when HUI
man lives are at stake. There is
no room on the thoroughfareS of
the city for cars that cannot at
all times be kept under proper
control. A motorist who drives
such car out of his garage or,
in greater probability, from the
front of his home, should be pun
iShed, and punished severely.
For the time being, it would be
a far greater benefit to transfer
all policemen engaged in check
ing up overtime parkerS and other
minor attractions to a worthier
duty of inspecting delapidated
cars. Overtime parkers can be
taken care of at any time, and an
inspection of dangerous vehicles
undoubtedly will prevent many
an accident and render great aid
in cutting down the fatality lists.
Against Reckless Youths.
William H. Harland, director of
traffic, continues on the Warpath
against reckless drivers, and es-
pecially those around the ages of
maturity. He declares that the
majority of arrests for the more
serious offenSeS show that about
so per cent are committed by
youths around 20 years of age.
He warns those in this class that
the revoking of permits will fol-
low any continuance.
Last Tuesday saw the turning
on of the traffic signal lights at
the K and Eighteenth streets in
terSection and Connecticut ave-
nue.. Although ready for use for
some time, Mr.. Harland awaited
the coming of good weather be-
fore having them turned on. It
was a rainy day, but the snow
and ice had departed from the
streets. He was pleased with the
results obtained and is of the
opinion that these new lights will
benefit the situation south of Du-
pont Circle to great extent. AS
far as could be aScertained, the
lights did not cause any undue
delays and seem to be function
ing well at difficult place.
Of to a Good Start.
Washington got on to a good
start for traffic fatalities for the
month of January. Only three
were reported, against seven for
January a year ago. The figures
cannot be regarded as SatiSfac-
tory until none are reported at
all. But as that, in all probability,
is another desire connected with
the millennium, a reduction of
any kind Is to be hailed. The Ma
tional Capital is maintaining its
lead in the low-fatality list of the
cities of the country in proportion
to its population.
Officials of the Traffic Bureau
are awaiting their removal into
the new quarters in the old Equity
Building, just south of the Munich
pal Court on John Marshall place.
The building is being repaired
and reconstructed to suit the new
tenants and should be ready for
occupancy by the middle of
March. Although the building
provides another floor for its
workers, about the same number
Of square feet will be available.
Asks for Indictment.
Sergt. Joe Harrington, hack in
spector for the city, had an un-
usual letter the other day from a
would-be taxi driver. It was adj
dressed to District Building, IA
and Penn. Ave. Comm. of Take
Cabs" It read as follows: Dear
Sir. I would like to get a 1 denti-
fication card to drive a Take
Cab. They told me I would have
W WIACcs 1CbJCI W yOu, W DC III
dited before the board, hoping to
hear from you as soon as possible,
M o. Eldridge, assistant direc-
tor of traffic, not to be outdone
by the appeal to Harrington, de-
clared that he had gotten a letter
recently asking that a permit be
mot provoked"
The 1880 automobile show is a
thing of the past for the District