Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-12-18
NEW study Of the problem OF
storage space for automobiles
y is being conducted by a ma

NEW study of the problem of
n storage space for automobiles
II is being conducted by ma
1 \ tional committee of traffic ana
motor vehicle officials under the
leadership of NJ. o. Eldridge. assistant
director of traffic of the District.
Results of the investigation OF the
matter will be brought to the attention
of the American Road Builders Asso-
troit, January 1920. The question has
been before the Traffic Committee OF
the city officials division OF the asSo-
citation for more than year.
Questions which the committee Will
seek to answer, in the light of new in
formation will include the utility value
of street space occupied by parked We
hicles and how far city government
is justified in going to provide off-street
storage in downtown areas for cars. In
short, the study concerns the relative
value of parking space to the city as a
whole and to the individual car owner.
Parking Restrictions Studied.
The committee is considering the
various methods now employed, such
as parking prohibition and strict time
limitations upon street storage IN met
ropolitan areas, it Is announced. The
committee is undertaking to measure
the varying degree of effectiveness OF
such regulations.
H. c. Dickinson, chief of the heat
ing and power division OF the Bureau
of Standards. is member OF the ma
tional committee Among other men,
bers are Harold G. Hoffman, State COM
missioner of motor vehicles. Trenton
N. =; HaWley Simpson, research engl-
neer, American Transit Association
New York City. and Maxwell Halsey
traffic engineer, National Bureau OF
Casualty and Surety Underwriters,
New York City.
Late Tag Rush Looms.
William A. Van Duzer, director OF
traffic, estimated this week there Will
be from 10000 to $4,000 Washington
motorists who will be barred from legal
use of their automobiles January l, due
to failure to secure their 1888 tags.
The office of the traffic director Is
organized to issue as many as 5000 tags
per day, but the number issued has
been running only about 1000 per day,
Mr. Van Duzer reports. This means
that when the last-minute rush begins
the directors staff will be deluged with
more applications per day than it can
possibly handle. The result will be
that thousands of automobile owners
will start the new year without the use
of their machines.
There will be no extension OF the
time limit" the director warns, urging
car owners to take full opportunity OF
the few remaining days before the new
year opens.
Carelessness Is Blamed.
Traffic officials are concerned over
the increase in the number of fatalities
In automobile accidents that occurred
here last month. 1t should be matter
Of real concern for every Washingtonlan
The Is fatalities last month in Wash
ington traffic set the highest November
record Also it was a higher number
than was recorded for any month OF
this year except May, when there were
Is fatalities.
Careiessness is the cause of most
fatal accidents, one official OF the
traffic office declares. on the basis OF
a study of local records. Such a find
ing dictates the exercise OF greater
caution and more alertness on the part
of both pedestrian and driver.
Traffic officials this week placed en-
phasiS on one point revealed in study
of the 10 fatalities of last month; that
is, that IL of the fatalities occurred
between intersections and not at the
crosswalks. They urge this as power
full argument for the use of the estab-
nshed crosswalks by pedestrians.
Federal Gas Tax Opposed.
Declaring that the average motor1st
now pays S25 year in gasoline taxes
alone, the American Automobile Asso-
citation opposes the administration pro-
posal to continue the 1-cent Federal
tax beyond next June. in statement
issued under the signature OF Thomas
p. Henry, Detroit, president OF the BODY.
The proposal is all the more serious
because it comes at a time when de.
creased gasoline consumption in "a
States reflects a large number OF cars
being withdrawn from the road and
curtailnent in motor vehicle use gen.
orally, he declares.
In addition he said, the entire
highway program threatened by re-
duced revenues, and the twin evil,
wholesale tax diversion and evasion,
are undermining the tax structure
Commenting again on the proposed
extension of the Federal gasoline tax,
the A. A. A. statement calls attention
to the proposal for the abolition OF
other excise taxes and the substitution
of a general manufacturers sales tax
Of pa per cent.
1--WE are not opposed to such sales
re a G.