Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-24
Defiance Expected to Cease
as Result of Widespread
Arrests.
CONDITIONS BETTER
AFTER THREE DAYS
Drive in Congested District Brings
Many Courtesy" Tickets
for Visitors.

approximately 100 motorists today de-
fed the new regulation prohibiting
parking between 8 and $50 am. in the
downtown congested zone, and were
given tickets by the police calling for
the deposit Of SO collateral.
Eighty-one Of the tickets were issued
by officers attached to the TRAFFIC Blu
reau. The number given out by officers
of the first precinct will not be known
until 4 o'clock this afternoon but police
officials estimated that they probably
found at least 20 violators.
Traffic officials were at loss to un-
derstand the reason for the large num-
Der of violations, especially in view OF
the widespread publicity given the new
regulation. coupled with the warning is
sued yesterday by Inspector E. w.
Brown that arrests would be made for
future violations.
Conditions Seen Better.
In spite Of the violations, traffic Of
ficers declared there was a marked I'M
provement in conditions in the no-park-
ing area over the first three days Of the
parking ban, and that traffic moved
freely and swiftly. Now that arrests
are being made, officials expect greater
compliance.
Again oficers observed a number Of
violations in the vicinity OF hotels,
where cars of visitors had been parked
overnight. Courtesy tickets" are being
left in these cars calling attention TO
the violation Police also are noting the
tag numbers on these machines, ana
instructions will be given 70 arrest those
who repeat the violation.
The So collateral required for failing
TO obey the new regulation, inspector
Brown explained, is the minimum under
the scale for parking IN restricted
zone. Drivers who repeat the violation,
however. are to be directed to deposit
larger collateral.
Inspector Brown pointed out that he
had observed a far better compliance
with the regulation by delivery trucks
than he found on the first day OF the
parking ban. Trucks are permitted to
park in the restricted area to load and
unload. but they are required to park
parallel to the curb whenever possible
A truck backed into the curb. he said
causes too much interference with mov-
ing trafic.
Bus and Car Changes.
Although the parking prohibition was
expected to increase street car and
motor bus business, officials OF the
Transportation companies have been
unable as yet to detect any perceptlble
change. The traction companies have
added equipment for the morning rush
hour service in anticipation of more
passengers, but the revenue returns. 1t
was said, do not indicate that more
persons are riding.
officials of the traction companies,
however, point out that it Is far too
soon for the downtown parking ban to
reflect accurately just what the effect
will be on their business. Weather con-
ditions and other uncertain factors, 1t
was explained, have an influence on
public transportation, so 1t is virtually
impossible to determine in three days
whether the restriction on parking will
inure to the benefit of the companies.
The Washington Rapid Transit Co.
also is unable to see any immediate
benefit from the parking prohibition.
In fact, the total number of passengers
carried yesterday, according to E. D.
Merrill, president, was below the normal
average.
Morning Rush Hour.
Mr. Merrill said there may be slight
increase in the number of bus paSsen-
gers carried during the morning rush
hour. but this probably will be offset by
a decrease during the non-rush hours.
People who heretofore used buses to
get downtown on shopping trips, he said,
may now drive their own cars, knowing
that there is a likelihood of finding a
place to park after $50 o'clock.
The same situation, it is believed. may
also apply to the traction companies,
although the transportations officials
believe they will be unable to analyze
several weeks or longer.