Evening star., 1933-07-30

PPROACHES to the National
n CAPITAL should be wide and safe
II highways The visitors first
\ impressions are often lasting.
In most instances roads lead
ing into Washington are all that one
could ask for, and compare faVorapiy
with highways leading into other clties'
An exception, however, IS the Wis
consin avenue entrance from Mary
land. which is heavily Travelled. Here
street car poles occupy dangerous posi-
tions in the center of the thorough
fare. Besides from a loss OF aesthetic
beauty, the poles really constitute a
menace. 1t is understood that the Pub
lie Utilities Commission has promised
their elimination for some time past.
Eliminate Poles First
Now a plan for resurfacing the street
Is being considered. Wisconsin avenue
needs this improvement. 1t also needs
the elimination of these poles. Un-
doubtedly these poles will GO. But IN
the interests OF economy, or even COM
mon sense, should the avenue be re-
surfaced first and then at later date
have the po.es taken down and more
resurfancing required? Resurfacing can
wait a while. Why not delay. this
work until the poles are removed and
have one complete, thorough Job made
on the pavement? The District should
not waste needed highway funds.
Take the poles down now and then
repair the streets!
The proposed widening OF F street
between Seventh and Ninth streets IS
a good plan. According to William A.
Van Duzer. traffic director, any plan
of widening a one-way street so that
It can be made a two-Way street IS
cood one. 1t seems that the plan OF
Herbert C. Whitehurst is the best one
at present Other proposals to cnange
car tracks and do away with some OF
the Patent Office steps appears a little
too costly at the present time.
New Route Markers Seen.
New route markers. numbering about
$50 in all, are to go up soon. Ihess
markers will be of great benefit OF
tourists and local residents alike. FIVE
United States routes will be designated
and two D. c. routes, with numbers
corresponding 10 the State of Maryland
routes The markers will be of the re-
flecting kind, easily to distinguish at
night
Traffic light signals for Pennsylvania
e-enue are being awaited by the Traffic
Department Shipment under contract
must be by August g. 1t Is believed
that all will be installed by the end OF
August.
Auto sales continue to mount. Ac-
cording to the official figures released
BY the Bureau of Census Of the De-
partment of Commerce factory sales
in the United States totaled 253.322
motor vehicles for the month OF June
This number compares with 2l8'303 1or
May of this year and 1873, l06 for June
of 1882. For the first half OF this year
l.0O7l1O sales are recorded as against
S71 448 for the first six months in l932
1t does seem that the new deal is
here at least in regard to the auto
mobile industry.
A. A. A. Head Testifies.
Speaking of the new deal" Thomas
p. Henry. president of the American
Automobile Association, testifying be-
fore the National Recovery Administra-
ton on the oil industry code last week,
urged that the industry be required to
take drastic steps to improve its mar
keting practices before any considera-
ton is given to higher prices for mo-
tor fuel
Mr.. Henry who appeared at the in
vitation of the Recovery Administration
presented the consumer viewpoint Oh
the code of fair competition for the
petroleum industry.
The A. A. A. president referred partic-
u,arly to the need for Federal control
of distributing facilities. as represented
In a multiplicity of gasoline stations in
metropolitan areas; recommended that