Evening star., 1934-05-23
ECONOMY IN LIFE
A|M|NP PARLEYOF
TRAFFIC EXPERTS
Fourth National Conference
on Safety Opened at
u. S. c. of c.
SECRETARY ROPER GIVES
FIRST TALK OF SESSION
Increase in Accidents During De-
preston Is Reported-Num-
Der Rising.

ber Rising.
Economy in human life and suffer-
ing as well as in property destroyed
in highway traffic accidents was the
aim Of the fourth National Conference
on Street and Highway Safety which
today opened three-day session at
the United States Chamber of Com
merce with close TO 1000 traffic ex-
perts. public officials and others
present
Secretary of Commerce Roper
opened the conference with an ad-
dress in which he outlined the aims
Of the meeting and then turned over
the gavel to Col. A. B. Barber, direc-
tor, who presided during presenta-
ton of reports by committees that
have been at work for more than a
year drafting model municipal and
State laws, which the conference
hopes to have enacted.
The prevention of traffic accidents"
Secretary Roper said, lis not only
challenging humane and social
problem, but is also one of significant
economic aspects as WE'LL
10000 Killed Each Year.
Death on wheels has become one
OF the most shocking and terrifying
evils in the life of our Nation. More
than 10000 people are killed in the
United States each year as result of
traffic accidents, and approximately
100000 are injured. The loss meas
ured in terms of dollars and cents is
greater than the yearly cost of our
entire public school system. Striking
as these figures may seem, they are
in no conceivable way comparable to
the tragic suffering and ruined lives
caused each year by the calamitous
destruction of death on wheels
THE problem of street and highway
safety divides itself into two cate
gories, first, determining what should
be done and how it should be done, and
second, doing it.
Under our form of Government the
fundamental responsibility for safety
of the public streets and highways
rests upon the individual States. The
function of the Federal Government
is that OF prompting cooperative &C.
ton and aiding in the organization
and coordination of national efforts.
municipalities must serve as the rally
ing points for this program of con-
structive action and organized ef-
forts.
Two Aspects Of Conference.
"The program of this conference"
Secretary Roper continued, has two
main aspects, first, the establishment
of the necessary uniform laws, regu-
lations and physical conditions essen
tial to safety and convenience of our
traffic. and, second. the educational
and enforcement measures which are
necessary to insure observance of these
laws and regulations and the proper
use of our streets and highways by
the great mass of individuals.
Motor traffic knows no State lines.
Clearly there is need of putting all
traffic control measures upon rea-
sonable basis of uniformity as between
States and communities throughout
the Nation National uniformity, to
every extent possible, Is one Of the
dominant needs of our present unsatis-
factory traffic situation"
Concluding his address, Secretary
Roper also pointed out the necessity
of impressing upon the pedestrian his
responsibility in connection with high
way safety.
Col Barber pointed out that during
the depression the toll of highway
accidents dropped in 1882 and 1888, but
now that the country is becoming more
prosperous, the toll is increasing at an
appalling rate.
Seven Model Acts Proposed.
After the opening speeches COM
mittee reports were submitted in
which seven model acts were pro-
posed These are to be studied by
the general sessions and, if necessary.
revised for transmission to the "A
State Legislatures that are to be in
session before the end of 1885. NUM-
cipal models are likewise to be sent
to cities for their enactment.
Included in the delegation here
are several members of State Legisla-
lures. a number of State highway or
traffic directors and large number
of municipal officials.
In the list of reports are the fol-
lowing:
A model motor vehicle administra-
ton, registration and certificate Of
title and anti-theft act.
A model operators and chauffeurs'
licensing act.
A model civil liability act.
A model safety responsibility act.
A uniform act regulating traffic on
highways.
Model Traffic Ordinance.
A model municipal traffic ordi-
nance, covering all phases Of traffic
handling in both large and small
cities
A manual of uniform traffic control
and safety devices.
All these models are the result of
special studies by the joint commit
tees set up by the Department Of
Commerce and the United States
Chamber of Commerce They are
written in the form of legislative acts
so that they may be readily acted
upon by State and city legislative
bodies.
This afternoon and all Of tomorrow
were set aside for general discussions
of the provisions, and final action will
be taken Friday.
Two more formal addresses are on
the program Friday when Gov. Jo-
seph B. Ely of Massachusetts, and
Mayor Bernard F. Dickmann of st.
Louis will discuss the responsibilities
of States and cities for trafflc control
and regulation.