Evening star., 1934-12-18
HAzEN SUMMONS
OFFICIALS TO KEEP
|DEATH0FFSTREETS
Commissioner Alarmed at
Mounting Toll of Traffic
Fatalities.
BROWN AND VAN DUZER
CALLED FOR CONFERENCE
Taxi Drivers Involved in Acct
dents May Have Permits
Revoked.

Police and traffic officials will confer
with District Commissioner Melvin C.
Hazen tomorrow morning on intensive
efforts to devise means of keeping
death of the highways of Wash
ington.
Alarmed at the mounting toll of
traffic fatalities, the conference has
been called by Commissioner Hazen.
Traffic Director William A. Van Duzer,
Supt. of Police Maj. Ernest w. Brown
and Police Traffic Inspector Lamb
have been invited to attend
Several suggestions which may lead
to more rigid enforcement Of traffic
regulations already have been broached
by those interested in the problem
These, among others, will be consid-
cred tomorrow.
Suggests vigilance Squad"
Foremost among them is the sug-
gestion Of Commissioner HaZen that
a vigilance squad" of motor cycle
patrolmen be detailed to keep special
watch on main traffic arteries. In
groups of four or more, such a squad
would spread a met" over a single
main street, the identity of which
would not be announced in advance.
During such a period a wholesale
checking up on such offenses as speed
ing. reckless driving, failure to give
right of way, weaving in and out of
line, stopping or turning without
signal and running over crosswalks
would be made. Offenders would be
given either summonses or warnings,
depending upon the degree Of their
offense.
Taxicab drivers involved in acci-
dents after the first Of the year and
who have unfavorable records will
have their operators permits imme-
diately suspended, followed by recon-
mendations to the District Commits
sioners that they be revoked alto
gether, it was announced today by M.
o. Eldridge, assistant director of traffic
and a member of the Hackers Re-
viewing Board.
Records show that taxicabs have
been involved in a great many OF the
accidents reported, although few of
them have been in accidents resulting
in fatalities, Eldridge said.
Would Test Cars.
Another suggestion Is advanced by
Trafic Director Van Duzer. who pro-
poses to get at one of the roots of
the trouble by driving 'non-usable'
automobiles off the streets. This
could be accomplished, he said, by
compulsory examination of cars at
least twice year to determine whether
brakes, lights and other safety equip
ment are in operating order.
AS one of the little used weapons OF
enforcement, the Corporation Coun-
sells Office informed the Commissioners
today that the District traffic act car
ries police authority to impound cars
improperly parked. Improper park
ing has been declared the cause OF
many of the recent accidents and Dis
trict officials revealed that impound-
ment procedure has been under con-
sideration before.
May Ask New Laws.
In addition to more rigid enforce
ment of present regulations, Commits
sioner Hazen declared today that addi-
tional legislation may be asked oi
Congress in the form of financial re-
sponsibility requiT ements for cai
owners and taxi cab operators. Such
a law failed of passage last year but
conditions at present may improve its
chances, it was said.
HaZen also has instructed Van DuZer
to prepare a report on study Of the
causes of individual traffic accidents
of serious nature. He believes that this
will give a guide to immediate causes
of accidents, but he is convinced the
general public attitude toward obedi-
ence to traffic rules is a main factor
for consideration.
Coincident with these proposals
two automobile clubs, the keystone
and the A. A. A., announced recon-
mendations designed to bring greater
traffic safety. Increased utilization
of automobile traffic direction equip
ment was suggested by the first or
ganization, while the second pro-
posed a vigorous Congressional drive
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