Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-12
POLICE POINT OUT
/. TRAFFIC BILL FLAW
May Take Out of Their Con-
troll Permit Issuance and
Other Duties.

In the final stage of legislative en-
actment, the Districts much revised
traffic bill today faced hitherto I'M
known opposition from the Police De-
partment because Of q provision which
police officials believe might take out
Of their hands the issuance of driving
permits and other administrative duties
relating to traffic.
Another effort to get Senate action
on the bill, which passed the House
last week, failed today, but Senator
Kean OF New Jersey hopes to obtain
consideration of it at an early date.
Senator George, Democrat, of Georgia,
who held the bill up Monday night be-
cause he thought it deserved further
study, Withdrew his objection today,
but Senator Smoot of Utah objected to
taking up the traffic measure at this
time. The Senate has not yet COM
pleted action on the pending conference
report on the Interior Department ap-
preparation bill, Of which Senator
Smoot is in charge.
Question Of Functions.
The obiectional provision stipulates
that no member OF the Police Depart
ment may be empowered to perform
ANY" function in connection with
traffic control other than the enforce
ment of prescribed regulations. As in
terpreted by police officials, this pro-
vision would tie their hands in meeting
emergency traffic conditions.
The provision, it was said, would
relieve the Police Department of such
functions. as the investigation OF ap-
plicantS for motor vehicle permits, the
examination of those applicants as to
their driving ability and knowledge OF
the traffic regulations, and the au-
thority to recommend the location OF
stands for public vehicles. The de-
partment, it was pointed out, has eS-
tablished well organized units for such
work, which would have to be trans
ferred to some other agency set up by
the District Commissioners.
Under the provision, police officials
likewise question whether the depart
ment could continue the testing OF
brakes and headlights. The question
hinges on whether such functions can
be construed as enforcement. In cases
where a motorist is arrested for viola
ton of the brake and headlight regu-
lationS, it was explained, the police
would be required to test the headlights
or brakes, but the officials are dubious
whether the department could maintain
its brake testing and headlight adjust
ment service solely as an accommoda-
ton for drivers.
Public Meetings Involved.
Just how the Police Department
could handle traffic conditions which
might arise in connection with public
celebrations, important weddings and
large funerals, is another question
which puzzles the officials. In such
events, the department now proceeds to
make arrangements for handling the
crowds without instructions or orders
from the Commissioners, but under the
provision in the new traffic bill, belief
was expressed that special orders would
have to be issued by the Commission
ers, thus entailing a possible delay.
Frankly police officials cannot see the
necessity for the provision, but at the
corporation counSel'S Office where the
bill was drafted, it was declared the
provision is necessary, and was in
serted at the direction of members of
Congress for the specific purpose of re-
heving the Police Department of all
administrative duties in connection with
traffic regulation and control, so that
it could devote undivided attention to
enforcement.
The corporation counsel's Office also
diSagrees with the Interpretation of po-
lice officials in so far as 1t affects the
activities of the Traffic Bureau with
respect to the examination of drivers
and the investigation of applicants for
permits. Broadly interpreted, these
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