Evening star., 1936-02-02
VAN DUzER AMONG
FIRST CALLED IN
SAFETY HEARINGS
Traffic Director and Aides
to Appear Before Sub
committee.
BROWN AND LAMB
ALSO WILL TESTIFY
10 AM. Tomorrow Set for Open.
ing Ito Find Out What Is Need
ed to Stop Tragedies"

Traffic Director William A. Van
Duzer and his principal subordinates
were summoned yesterday by the SUBJ
committee on Streets and Traffic Of
the House District Committee to ap-
pear as witnesses at the first of a
series of public hearings on the traf-
fic situation in Washington tomorrow
at IL am.
The subcommittee. headed by Rep
resentative Carpenter, Democrat. of
Kansas VIII initiate at that time a
comprehensive survey to determine
what steps should be taken to pro-
mote safety and drive death from the
highways. Several members of the
subcommittee already have made a
personal tour of the District during
periods OF traffic congestion and made
observations which will be discussed
during the hearings.
Brcwn to Be Called,
Carpenter said after Van Duzer
and his assistants have testified he
will call as witnesses Supt. of Police
Ernest " Brown, Inspector B. A.
Lamb of th5 traffic division and vari-
Gus othel officials of the department
to ascertain whether enforcement of
traffic regulations is satisfactory.
Later. he plans to summon officials
of The American Automobile Associa-
ton ana other organizations that have
made studics of traffic conditions.
THE subcommittee wants to find out
particularly" Carpenter said, what is
needed to make the streets of WASH
ington safer. Too many people are
being killed and injured in traffic acci-
dents. There must be a reason for it.
If our efforts result IN saving only a
few lives this year, its work will be
worth while
Carpenter indicated the subcommit-
tee would go into all phases of traffic
regulation and enforcement. 1t will
try and determine whether speed regu-
lations should be reduced, whether adj
ditional traffic officers are necessary,
whether there are too many or not
enough traffic lights, and whether mo-
torists are f1agrantly violating regula-
tions laid down for their own safety.
Exhaustive Survey.
The exhaustive traffic survey by the
subcommittee was ordered by the full
District Committee several weeks ago
when it became aroused over the large
number of traffic fatalities so far this
year, coupled with the 113 deaths last
year.
Carpenter pointed out that since the
permits of drivers had been suspended
for speeding. he had noted drop in
the accident and fatality rate. He
said he wondered if similar drastic
steps would contribute toward safe
driving.
The subcommittee, he declared,
will go into all phases of Washing
tons traffic situation with but one
objective in mind-to promote safety.
Naturally, we have not mapped out
any definite program of procedure We
hope to develop during the public
hearings some concrete plans that will
make the streets of Washington safer"
The subcommittee hearings are ex-
pected to last for two or three weeks.
Upon completion. report, with rec
concentrations will be submitted to
the full District Committee.
Aside from Carpenter, the subcom-
mittee consists Of Representatives
Schultz, Democrat, of Indiana; Reed.
Republican, of Illinois, and Short, Re-
publican, of Missouri.