Evening star., 1932-02-28
W yASHINGTON'S circles
w were planned by Maj.
v v LEnfant as a military
Infnnrn Of tho nitu To-

placed in the middle of one of the
circles and the muzzle could be
swung around so as to point down
anv of the intersecting streets or
avenues from which the enemy
might be approaching. Modern
day warfare relegateS these meas
ures of protection to the discard
and so monuments and statues are
to be found at these places in
stead.
No one would suggest the re-
moval of these beauty spots, even
if it were possible. They add so
much to the magnificence of the
National Capital and provide
parks and Fairgrounds for SO
many of the younger residents OF
the city.
Held Danger Spots.
However, these beauty spots are
danger spots, and it is up to the
motorist of today to realize this
fact and govern himself or her
self accordingly. At many OF
these circles there are six ap-
proaches. Each approach is 60,
30 or more feet in width. There
fore. when the traffic must neceS-
sarily converge it is the traffic
from a total roadway of from 300
to 400 feet that must operate in
a track of less than 100. Natural
ly a crowded condition will exist.
Street car lines aggravate the sit
uation, and especially so when the
cars are permitted to run the
wrong way around a circle.
Therefore, each driver must
drive with the utmost care to
prevent accidents. No cutting in
must be done; in fact, no move
ment of the vehicle should be
made, even a foot to the right
or left, without warning signal.
Speed around circles should be
greatly diminished, and, of course,
at all times proper consideration
should be given to pedestrians.
The walkers are in worse peril
than the motorist, for what cor
responds with a dented fender to
a machine means far more toI
them. 1t may mean a serious in
jury or even loss OF life.
Don't go around circles in cir
eles. Drive with great care.
Responsible for All.
A chain is as strong as it's weak
est link and a city's streets are as
safe as the most reckless driver
who uses them, according to q
bulletin of the National Safety
Council.
Most motorists are careful and
law-abiding. A careless few
most of them are accident re-
peaters'- responsible for the
great majority of the accidents
The accidents they cause involve
innocent pedestrians and innocent
motorists as we'll Accidents caused
by the careless few Offset the con-
scientious efforts of the careful
majority.
Neither law makers, law en-
forcement officials, nor courts can
make city'S streets safe. They
help, of course, but safe driving is
an individual responsibility, placed
on the shoulders of each person
who operates a motor vehicle.
Each individual must be RESPONSE
BILE not only for his own safety but
for the safety of all others who
use the highways.
1t Is matter of civic pride that
Washington be known as a city
of safe streets. Will your driving
mar an otherwise good record?
A. A. A. Tax Protest.
Nearly one-fourth of the pro-
posed increase of $1,000, 100000 a
year in Federal revenue would be
Saddled on the motorists of the
country, if the proposals to tax
car owners now pending before
the House Ways and Means Com
mittee are enacted into law.
This statement was made today
by the American Automobile ASSO-
citation, which estimated that the
three-fold motor levy now being
considered by the committee
would cost motorists $244, 900, 900
a year: -
Thomas P. Henry, president Of the
A. A. A, consist of an excise tax
of 5 per cent on the wholesale
value of passenger automobiles,
8 per cent on trucks and ~ per
cent on parts and accessories; a
Federal gasoline tax Of cent per
gallon, and a tax of cent per
quart on lubricating oil. On the
basis of 1881 production, the excise
tax would cost the motorists $75,-
$1,000. The 1-cent gas tax, figured
on 1881 consumption of approx
mately $4,000, 100000 gallons, would
cost $l50,000, 900, and the tax on
lubricating oil, on the basis of
estimated consumption of 475,000,-
600 gallons, would cost 10000, ,000."
He continued:
The fact that these huge levies
are even being considered, in the
face OF the present annual motor
tax bill of 81 ,022 100000, or 10 per
cent of all Federal, State and local
taxes, is indicative of the wide
spread effort to single out car
owners for more than an equitable
share of the tax burden.
imposition of the three Federal
levies would automatically increase
the motor tax bill Is per cent.
Equally as serious, it would mark
the entrance of the Federal Gov
ernment into a field that is al
ready overburdened with State,
county and municipal taxes"
State Tax Figures.
On the basis of 1880 gasoline
consumption by motor vehicles,