Evening star., 1934-12-22

A new law was being drafted today
for dealing with motorists involved in
traffic deaths, while police continued
to bear down on Speeders and other
offenders in the drive to reduce the
number of accidents. Several persons
were injured during the past "a hours,
but none seriously, as a rapid decline
in accidents was noted.
Manwhile, a new high record for
collateral deposited at the Traffic Bu-
reau for a 24-hour period was estab-
lished, $2,149 being taken in, it was
reported by Sergt Walter H Thomas.
Traffic policemen arrested 70 speeders
from 8 am. yesterday to am today.
Twenty-four of these were taken in
by members of the motor cycle flying
squadron" operating on Bladensburg
road and New York avenue northeast.
Eight others were arrested for making
improper turns, five for failing to give
hand signals when making turns and
two for driving in wrong traffic lanes.
Alfred Smith, so, of 2919 Mills ave-
nue. northeast, received head cuts to-
day when, police say, he walked into
the side of an automobile at Ninth
and G streets and was knocked into
the path Of street car Although
knocked under the street car, the
latter was stopped before hurting him
further, police said.
Others Injured.
Others injured we're William J. Har-
desty, 5, of the 1900 block of K street
southeast, bruised when struck by an
automobile near his home; Oscar
Eisen, 81, of 628 Lamont street, who
received leg injuries when the auto
mobile he was driving collided with a
street car at Third and E streets
southeast, and Elmer Bethel, 81, COL
ored, 1900 block of Sixth street, in
jured when he fell from the rear of a
truck at Wisconsin avenue and Emory
place.
Corporation Counsel E. Barrett
Prettyman is drafting the bill for
dealing with motorists involved in
traffic deaths
Carrying a proposal of maximum
of two years in prison, fine of $1,000
or both, if motorists should be found
guilty of speeding or reckless driving
at the time the accidents occurred, the
bill thus would deal less severely with
offenders than they would be dealt
with if convicted under present law.
The proposal, previously considered,
was discussed yesterday in the Offices
of District Attorney Leslie C. Garnett
by the district attorney, Mr.. Pretty
man, Robert v. Fleming, John @. Til
son and Wallace Robinson of the
Board of Trade and Assistant Traffic
Director NJ o. Eldridge.
Favored by Trade Board.
The Board of Trade, it is pointed
out, favored such legislation in the
past. The proposed new measure
would be TO secure more convictions
and do away with the present system
under which, it is pointed out, men,
bers of coroners' juries frequently are
reluctant to hold a man for man
slaughter in traffic deaths. Mr.. Eld-
ridge today said that the proposed
law is similar to one in Michigan.
There, he said, convictions are made
in 27 per cent Of the cases of motorists
involved in traffic deaths. In Wash
ington, he said, convictions, under the
present system, are secured in only 3
per cent of the cases.
The proposed bill, when drafted, is
to be submitted for approval by citi-
zens' associations and other organiza-
tions before being submitted to Con-
gress.
Superintendent of Police Ernest w.
Brown said today he discussed, in
formally, with Judge John P. NC
Mahon of Police Court yesterday, a
proposal to establish a night court to
bring traffic offenders to speedy trial.
Maj. Brown said no decision was
reached but that the jurist expressed
q desire to cooperate with the au-
thorities in any way possible to aid
the traffic situation here.
Maj. Brown said he expects to dis
cuss the proposal further with Judge
Gus A. Schuldt, presiding judge of
Police Court,