Evening star., 1936-11-15
Years Work Reviewed
By Keystone Auto Club
Prince Georges Investigation Heads List OF
Activities in Interest of
Car Owners.

ly important decision the parking lou
operator was forced to pay the full
damages claimed.
Through this important case, and
by means Of other evidence submitted
to the District Commissioners, atten-
ton was focused upon certain abuses
in the operation Of parking lots, and
remedial action was indicated.
During the past year it was the
writer's privilege, on behalf Of Key
stone, to make a trip to Milwaukee,
Wis, in company with a group Of
District officials, to study that city's
notable traffic safety plan. Upon re-
turning he prepared a set OF recon-
mendations based upon the Milwaukee
studies, which was presented to the
clubs advisory board. Following ex-
haustive analysis of these recommen-
dations by committee of the board,
they were adopted and presented to
the District Commissioners. Several
of these recommendations already
have been put into effect here with
good results.
Annual. Meeting Large.
On the evening of May the Key
stone Automobile Club of Washington
held its first annual meeting Of mem
bers. Attended by several thousand
persons, this was the largest gather
ing of motor car owners ever held in
Washington for the purpose of dis
cussing mutual problems.
The highlight was the unanimous
adoption of a program. toward the &C.
complishment of which the clubs off,
GERS and Advisory Board are devoting
their best efforts.
So successful was this meeting, and
so very largely attended, that pro-
visions will have to be made for a
much larger auditorium for the 1887
gathering.
Through the efforts of Keystone,
and through the fine cooperation Of
the Metropolitan Police Department,
an improvement has been brought
about in the operation of the local
impounding law. 1t had been brought
to the attention Of club officials that
on numerous occasions cars which
had been improperly parked were
being impounded even though the
owners arrived on the scene before
the vehicles were towed away.
Emphasizing that there was no de-
sire to avoid the payment of the stipu-
lated fines, it was pointed out to the
Police Department. however. that 10
impound an automobile when the
owner was available to remove it him.
self was to work unnecessary hard
ship and, furthermore, was contrary
to the spirit of the regulation. The
department was quick to see the logic
of this contention, and orders have
been issued which will prevent un-
justified impounding.
Fairgrounds Bettered.
One of the most important projects
undertaken by the club has been in
behalf of better playground facilities
for Washington children. A commit
tee of the Advisory Board spent many
hours IN consultation with District
authorities, and the club has left nc
stone unturned in its efforts to keep
the municipal play spaces open for
the children throughout the year.
A vital phase of the clubs activity
also has been the appearance of COM
mittees before Congress in behalf Of
legislation of interest to the motor
ing public here. Club officials and
Advisory Board members made strong
appeals at various congressional hear
ings, as well as before local authori-
ties concerned in budget matters. Of
| especial interest was the work dont
by the Special Traffic Subcommittee
of the House District Committee, ir
which Keystone co-operated very
largely. This committee did an ex.
cellent job. and its work served II
emphasize the need for the thorough.
going traffic survey advocated by the
District Commissioners and supported
by the club.
For the convenience of motorists
Keystone recently has erected hun.
dreds of warning and directional sign:
in nearby Maryland and Virginia com.
munities. These signs not only are
erected by the club, but they also are