Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-13
SHARP OPPOSITION
VOICED AT HEARING
ON TRAFFIC CHANGE
D. P. Evans Asserts LegiSla-
ton Would Create Confusion
and Offers Amendments.
PROPOSED JOINT BOARD
CAUSE OF DISAGREEMENT
Conference Arranged This After
noon in Stalker's Office to
Reach Agreement.

Sharp differences of opinion resulted
today at a hearing before the Stalker
subcommittee on Streets and Traffic of
the House District Committee on a
rewritten proposal from the Corpora
ton Counsel's Office to amend the traf-
nc act. a.,
Donald P. Evans of the Bureau of
Efficiency protested that while the
avowed purpose of this legislation was
to avoid divided authority, it would III
operation make for further confusion,
and he offered several amendments
which we're supported by spokesman for
the Federation of Citizens Associations
and by Richmond B. Leech, the peo-
ple's counsel, and which Gen. Crosby
said would be acceptable to the District
Commissioners but which the Puolc
Utilities Commission opposed.
The disagreement is largely regarding
the proposed joint board of five COM
posed of the thyee District Commission
ers and the three Public Utilities Com
missioners, the Engineer Commissioner
being a member of each commission
and to be chairman of the joint board.
Agreement Is Sought.
AT the request of Corporation Coun-
sci Bride a joint conference has been
arranged for $3.50 o'clock this afternoon
in the Office of Chairman Stalker of the
subcommittee in order to go over the
pending bill, paragraph by paragraph,
to reach an agreement.
The corporation counsel pointed out
that Mr. Evans had offered an amend
ment, that E. S. Hegge, representing the
Federation of Citizens Associations had
offered another amendment, and that
the two commissions, the Public IT'LL
tiles Commission and the Board Of Dis
trict Commissioners, had each made
concession for a compromise about
which they were not particularly en-
thusiastic.
Stress New for Action.
At the same time both Corporation
Counsel Bride and Commissioner Crosby
emphasized that a serious situation ex-
lists which demands relief and that it is
imperative that early action must be
taken for amendment of the traffic laws.
William Roberts. assistant corporation
counsel on traffic matters. explained the
provisions Of the new bill.
He pointed out that the theory is that
the administration in drawing up reg
ulations and in determining what the
regulations shall be is a duty distinct
from the enforcement agency, which is
the police. In this connection it was
explained that the police know the prac-
tical problems of traffic and can advise
the District Commissioners through the
Superintendent Of police who is an agent
of the Commissioners.
Mr.. Roberts also pointed out that
new definition OF reckless driving is
included to take advantage of the re-
cent decision of the courts in the Colts
case.
Howard P. Evans OF the Bureau of
Efficiency said that that Bureau had
undertaken a traffic study at request
Of various agencies and that the prin-
cipal purpose of the bill under con-
sideration is to centralize authority and
ers full authority over certain traffic
matters, but that in effect 1t would re-
suit In divided authority.
Hartman Offers Objection.
Harieigh H. Hartman, speaking for
the Public Utilities Commission, objected
TO this amendment and said the COM
mission would rather see no legislation
than to have the bill passed including
this amendment Commissioner Crosby
said that allowing the legislation TO
fail would not relieve a very difficult
situation.
Mr. Hegge described his services since
he was appointed by the District Com
m1iSSionerS as member of their Traffic
Advisory Committee and assigned to
the subcommittee on laws and codes
Of which George w. Offutt was chair
man.
Favor Items of Redraft.
I'VE favor practically all items in the
redraft of the bill now presented by
the District Commissioners" said Mr..
Hegge, speaking for the Federation of
Citizens Associations.
Assurance is given TO US that the
blanket authority therein proposed to
be vested will be used to create regula-
lions substantially in accord with those
now or hereafter suggested by the Ma
tional Conference on Street and High
way Safety, the objective of which is
to achieve uniformity in traffic matters
throughout the States
There is no more important item in
this bill" he stressed, than the pro-
posal TO vest such blanket authority in
the District Commissioners The same
would be a step toward relieving Con-
greSs from the consideration of munic-
ipal details affecting the District Of CO.
lumbia and giving legislators more time
for the important matters involving the
welfare of the Nation"