Evening star., 1934-05-15
Summarizes Reasons
Against Curb Parking
TO the Editor Of The Star:

TO the Editor OF The star:
Permit me through the columns Of
your valuable paper to express senti-
ments and hearty approval OF the
several citizens associations OF the
District, also the trafic director, Mr..
William A. Van Duzer, and the major
and superintendent of police, Mr..
Ernest w. Brown, as well as the many
private individuals and property own
ers who are advocating the elimina-
ton of all-night parking on the
streets of Washington, D. c. 1t af-
fords me extreme pleasure to join
with them in their efforts to have
this unwise, undesirable, unsightly
and unwarranted practice abated. Re-
Gently have noted through the press
the comments Of the major and Su-
perintendent of police that many Of
the car thefts are due to the fact that
SO many of the owners Of machines
insist and make use of the streets for
parking purposes.
I might add that any number also
use our thoroughfares as work shops
for making repairs, also washing and
cleaning and various other uses and
purposes. I think it unfair ard un-
just upon the part of the District Of
ficials to allow such uses and abuses
to continue. Such practices and privi-
leges should be prohibited in justice
to the many property owners and
others who house their cars in prefer
ence to taking q chance and running
the risk Of parking their cars on the
streets.
In my own case, I have a two-car
brick garage, comparatively new, two
large windows In the rear, light and
water furnished that several years
ago I rented for SIS per month,
later reduced to $12, still later to
$40. For more than two years my
garage remained idle and not rented.
Only recently decided to reduce the
rent again, this time to SO per
space or Sc per month for the two
spaces. now have one side rented.
Any number Of property owners in
my neighborhood and elsewhere in the
city. I have learned, are pursuing the
same course with their garages At
times you see mention in the papers
that garage rents are high here in
Washington. ! think such assertions
are mistakes. Many owners of auto
mobiles prefer the free use Of the
streets to paying a small rent for
housing purposes. also agree with
the superintendent Of police that the
use Of the streets for all-night park
ing is a menace and a handicap to
the Fire Department. Street parking
Is a menace to many pedestrians at
tempting to cross the streets both day
and night, often obstructing the view
OF approaching machines. Numerous
accidents are due to the practice of
the owners or drivers of cars parking
so close together on the streets, thus
preventing an open view.
All-day and night parking is an
eyesore and in many ways besmirches
the beauty of the thoroughfares. 1t
also is Objectionable to owners of
property, who at times do not have
access to their own homes and in
many instances are forced to park as
much as a block away from their
residences. In conclusion, and to
offset the claims of those who
may assert that garages are high
and rents will advance If all-night
parking is prohibited, I will state that
the rent for my garage will remain
the same whether parking is banned
or allowed to continue
HENRY F. ASH.