Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-08
BY JAMES e. CHINN.

BY JAMES e. CHINN.
The House Subcommittee on Appro-
priations in its study of the District
appropriation bill for the 1882 fiscal
year has reached the items of the Traffic
Department. calling for appropriations
totaling $118,580, an increase of $27,1O0
over the amount appropriated for the
current fiscal year.
One OF the major requests of the
department Is an appropriation of $685.
900 to extend the already extensive net
work of automatic traffic lights now
flashing their signals in both the con-
geSted and outlying sections of the
District. With this amount Traffic DE-
rector William H. Harland estimates he
can make % additional installations of
the new flexible progressive type.
92S Lights in Use.
The present automatic signal system
consists of 928 lights. The timing of
the group on various streets and indi-
vldual intersections is controlled by %
master timers for different streets and
% independent timers for isolated in
tersections. This arrangement of sepa-
rate groupings controlled by various
master timers, according to Mr. Har-
land, Is necessary with the present sys-
tenn because of the varying street
traffic conditions and difference in
block lengths, which require individual
timing ratios.
Mr. Harland believes the installa-
ton of the more improved type of sig
nal control known as the flexible pro-
gressive system, will make it possible
to tie in various street signal groups
to operate on less number of timers and
at the same time make possible better
adjustment of the timing ratio at
each street intersection along the sig
nailed streets, so that traffic may move
with less interruption.
More for COngested Area.
A major portion of the % additional
lights Mr.. Harland plans to install in
the congested area, and the others will
be placed in sections outside, where he
thinks 1t is necessary to have auto
matte signals for the safety of pedes-
trians as well as vehicular traffic. The
location of these lights, however, has
not been definitely determined.
Quite an elaborate program Of light
installations had been worked out by
Mr.! Harland when he prepared his esti-
mates for the coming fiscal year, but
this had to be relegated into the dis
card as a result Of reductions made in
the appropriation requests of the Trafhc
Department by both the Commissioners
and the Bureau of the Budget. Now
the traffic director is confronted with
the problem of revising his original pro-
gram to place the % additional lights
at the most strategic locations.
Mr.. Harland Is particularly anxious
to install lights on Pennsylvania avenue
from Sixth to Thirteenth streets, and
on @ street from Twenty second street
to Rhode Island avenue. Both Of these
thoroughfares carry heavy volumes OF
cross-town traffic, and 1t is on such
streets that he desires installations. 1t
Is likely. therefore, that the revised
program will provide lights for these
two streets.
Increase for Library.
Another Traffic Department item OF
S23 900 is to provide for the employ.
ment of force Of Is to Is skilled ana
unskilled laborers to paint white lines
at cross walks, erect traffic signals and |
maintain trafic equipment on the
streets. These men would be employed
on a per diem basis at salary OF $4.24
and 1923 a day. The appropriation
recommended for paint, tools and other |
supplies totals 1890.
For the Public Library the approprla-
ton bill carries $298, 100, an increase O!
S22140 over the amount appropriated |
for the current fiscal year. OF this IN |
crease. SlO.813 is intended TO provide Tor |
IT new positions, for the present es-
tablishment and IA for the new North |
eastern branch.
The three new positions in the present |
though help, accorolng |
to District officials, will in no way meet |
the urgent needs of the public service.
The circulation of books, based ON the |
figures for July to November, 1880, IL
was pointed out, Is increasing at the |
rate of 8 per cent over the correspond !
ing months of the previous year. This /
increase brings with it added clerical
work and advisory and reference service.
Service Needs Grow.
Since the library is an educational in
stitution, its most important work Is in |
the finding of information and the fur
nishing of guidance in book selection.
This service, II is explained, cannot be /
maintained in the face OF expanding cir
culation without substantial increases In |
personnel.
The IA positions included for the new
Northeastern Branch Library Will permit /
it to give service to adults and children |
on separate floors on 32-hour weekly |
basis instead of on the basis of ~ hours |
weekly in force in the Central Library |
and in the other major branches. The
Northeastern branch will be major /
unit In the library system, and officials |
declare 1t should not operate on less
than full hours, but such a schedule
would require 1914 positions.
Book Fund Actually Less.
The bill also recommends $4,000 for
the purchase of books, periodicals, news
papers and other printed material. This
sum is $l5,500 greater than the appro-
priation for the current year, but |
So, 900, is specifically allocated to the
original stocking of the new Northeast
ern Branch Library, all Of which will be
required. The apparent increase OF
SIS, 500 is therefore in reality decrease
of $14,500 from the amount allowed for
the current year. Library officials urged
the full sum which they declared essen
tial TO keep the collections from dete-
riorating. A decrease in the book fund,
they declare, viii result IN poorer service
to the public.
Another important item for the library
is SOS, 900 for the purchase of site for
a branch in Georgetown. This branch
Is designed to serve q community OF
IS, 900 population, including Georgetown
University, Western High School, the
Gordon Junior High School, eight ele-
mentary schools and i've parochial and
private schools.
Early acquisition Of the site is stressed
by library officials on the ground that |
property values in Georgetown are In
ereastng and Suitable sites ara scarce.