Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

N uNpOI GdIlL SCCp HOS OCcA
N undertaken by various
n groups Of citizens. In the
territory surrounding the
National Capital to unity for the
purpose of formulating safe and
sane traffic regulations, with the
question of uniformity uppermost
In mind. .
These groups are now organized
into the characterization Confer
ence, representing civic organiza-
lions of the Washington metro
politan area, including the Civic
Federation of Arlington County,
Va; the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations of the District
of Columbia and the Civic Fedora
ton of Montgomery County, Md.
w. B. Armstrong is the secretary
treasurer.
Function of Conference.
It is the function of the Inter-
federation Conference to provide
the basis for concerted action
among the representative civic
organizations of the District Of
Columbia and nearby sections OF
Maryland and Virginia in all mat
ters of common interest concern
ing the National Capital and its
environS and to promote a better
understanding among these Or
CARNATIONS.
In accordance with the articles
of the Interfederation Conference
agreement many subjects of mu-
tual interest have been acted on
by the conference, based on the
declared views of the member
bodies and with subsequent rati-
f1cation thereby of the Arlington
County, Va; District of Co
lumbia and Montgomery County,
Md, civic declarations. This
has resulted in the establishment
of definite position, representing
the maturely considered views of
the civic organizations in this
region, on a number of important
matters Of public interest, as
shown by codification of such
resolutions.
Because of the general nature
and the constant recurrent appli-
cation of the principles involved
in these subjects, the Interfedera-
ton Conference undertook the
preparation of concise statements
of facts and arguments in support
of the positions taken.
The conferences position on the
following subject was taken in
March, 1929, after it's introduc-
ton by the Montgomery County
Civic Federation. The present
report was adopted recently by
the conference.
The Interfederation Conference
and the three member declarations.
including $50 citizens associations,
chambers Of commerce and incor-
porated towns or taxing areas
within the Greater eWashington
metropolitan region, are ON record
in favor of uniformity in traffic
laws, municipal ordinances and
regulations.
Probably every citizen of the
United States will agree as to the
Importance Of uniformity in these
matters. The difficulty arises in
carrying out this desire for uni
formity. Traffic laws and regula-
lions have developed Simultan-
eouSly and in somewhat different
form in the various States and
localities. Motor vehicle operators
and others, including the public
authorities responsible for the ex-
ecution of the law, have in some
places become attached to par
ticular provisions of their own
laws or regulations and are loath
to give them up. Many of these
particular provisions have been
tested out in courts, and there is
sometimes feeling that this Is a
controlling reason against change.
It Is evident, however, that some
local yielding here and there to
meet the consensus of views as to
the most desirable provisions for
Nationwide adoption is essential
II progress toward the much de-
sired uniformity Is to be made.
Have Joined Forces.
To facilitate such progress rep
resentatives of nearly all the
States, civic and business organi-
cations and others concerned have
Joined forces in the National Con-
ference en- Street and Highway
Safety, under Craftsmanship of the
Secretary of Commerce. Following
extended studies Of the best prac-
tees in all parts of the country,
they have agreed upon a compre-
hensive program to serve as a
basis for motor vehicle legislation
and regulation, including a uni
form vehicle code for State enact
ment prepared in 1886, a model
municipal traffic ordinance pre-
pared in 1928 and q manual on
street traffic signs, signals and
markings prepared in 1927-1929.
Fortunately there has been enough
experience in States and COM
munitieS which have abandoned
their old motor vehicle laws, Or
dinances and other traffic meas
ures in favor of the national
standards, so that the remaining
States and communities may with
assurance be urged to follow the
same course. Based on this ex-
perience these standards were in
1929-30 thoroughly reviewed, re-
vised in certain particulars and
approved by the third National
Conference on Street and High
way Safety IN May, 1890. They
have also been Endorsed by the
National Conference of Commits.
sionerS on Uniform State Laws
and the American Bar Association
The final texts of these national
uniform standards are now avail
able.
This movement for uniformity
in traffic laws and regulations Is
not confined TO the United States
1t extends throughout North and
South America. In October, 1890
18 countries, members of the Pan
American Union, signed a diplo-