Evening star., 1935-10-22
CITIZENS TO STUDY
TRAFFIC SOLUTIONS
InterfeGeration Conference
Creates Committee for
Inquiry.

tituuI "
Agreeing that safety on the streets
and highways of the metropolitan
area constitutes its most important
problem, the Interfederation Confer
ence from Prince Georges, Montgom-
cry and Arlington Counties and the
District of Columbia. last night Gre
ated Special Traffic Committee to
make a thorough study of solutions
suggested by the delegates and sub
nit recommendations to the confer
ence.
This action was taken at meet
ing devoted to discussion of traffic
conditions in nearby Maryland and
Virginia and particularly in Wash
ington. The special committee was
created by unanimous vote after dele
gates from every civic federation In
the conference had presented sug-
gestions for solving the traffic prob
lem.
Edwin S. Hege of the District fed
Grafton, long member of the Traffic
Advisory Council. declared the only
solution lies in suspending more
freely the licenses of drivers con-
victed of traffic charges. This action,
he said, must be accompanied by |
greater police surveillance
Urges Precinct Responsibility.
when a drivers permit is sus-
pended" Hege said, "the precinct in
which he lives should be notified at
once and be held responsible for the
driver during the period of his sus-
pension. If he drives his car during
the suspension time, as many are able
to do now without police knowing it,
he should be thrown into Jail i'm
mediately."
Hege declared education campaigns |
are not effective because most drivers
already are we'll educated-"they are
too we'll acquainted with the regula- |
tions and with ways and means of |
evading them" Often, those drivers |
considered in the higher class are the /
most selfish and thoughtless; motor
manners have simply dropped to a
new low, he declared
Jesse c. Suter. WASHINGTON dele |
gate, suggested revocation or sus-
pension and fine if we can hit all
classes, but equality In enforcement |
is necessary" He said Washington !
has a privileged class" which is prob |
ably larger than any other city's. He !
pointed out his belief that one trouble |
has been in completely ignoring the
pedestrian IN traffic regulation legis- ,
lation.
Suter declared that to make the !
laws really effective penalties must he
applied with equal force to all classes. /
Larger Police Force Sought.
One delegate expressed the opinion !
that the Capitals only solution to the /.
problem is a larger and more ADEQUATE
police force. Judge Alfred Bailey of !
Prince Georges said the chief trouble
lies in the court system. He declared
the licenses Of all drivers convicted of |
major violations should Immediately
be revoked. Another delegate sug-
gested stop signs be placed at every
Intersection in Washington. |
President William c. Hull of Ar
Gngton County appointed the follow |
ing to the traffic committee: r. E.
Pfymale, Arlington County. chairman;
Blair II. Riggles, Prince Georges; A. |
q. Barber. Montgomery County, and |
Mr.. Hege.
Stephen James of Montgomery
County Federation. chairman of the I
special Defense Highway Committee |
appointed last month to study means
OF eliminating hazards on that high
way. told the conference his COM
mlttee was not able to make COM
plete report as yet. He said the COM
mittee plans to take the matter to
the State Highway Commission and
to the Governor of Maryland as soon
as possible
In this connection, Judge Bailey
revealed that his federation had re-
Gently adopted a resolution asking
that county police be assigned to
direct traffic at the intersection of
Bladensburg road and the Defense
Highway. so as to allow the State
officer stationed there to patrol the
highway on his motorcycle
A request by Prince Georges County
delegates that the federation con-
slider their proposal for extension of
New York avenue to Maryland was
referred to the Highway Committee
headed by Suter.
Rule Change Proposed.
The federation also referred to a
special committee a suggestion that
the units rules of procedure be
changed so as to permit each member
federation to make report of its
activities at each meeting. The sug-
gestion was made by Mrs. Florence
Cannon of Arlington County, who was
named chairman of the committee
Other changes are included in the
proposal
Victor Meyers of Arlington was
named chairman Of the Chain Bridge
Committee to fill the vacancy created
by the death of Frederick E. Mann.
In connection with replacement Of
Chain Bridge, it was said the District
Commissioners are preparing to ask
for $3S9,000 in the next budget to
construct a low-level superstructure
on the present piers.
The meeting. held at Weston Hall.
was preceded by the federation's
annual dinner.