Evening star., 1936-03-05
TRAFFIC PRObERS
SEE WORST RUSH
SPOTS FROM AIR
House Group Accompanied
by Maj. Brown and
Van Duzer.
SURVEY WILL CONTINUE
FROM BLIMP TOMORROW
Removal of Outer Sidewalk From
Dupont Circle to Ease Flow
Is Agreed On.
BY WILL P. KENNEDY.

The worst traffic spots in Washing
ton were viewed from the air for an
hour and 40 minutes during the rush
to-get- home for dinner" tangle yes
terday by three members of the special
House District Traffic Investigating
Subcommittee-Rep Car
nenter of Kansas, Schultz of Indiana
and Reed of Illinois, with Maj. Ernest
w. Brown, superintendent OF police;
William A. Van Duzer, traffic director,
and Star reporter.
They made an air tour over the
entire city in the blimp. This aerial
survey will be continued during the
"get o-work" rush tomorrow morning,
from $50 to 10 O'Clock, following
which the subcommittee will resume
hearings with Capt. Milton Smith,
nemesis of traffic violators for 18
years, as the first witness.
At the west, or outgoing side OF
Dupont Circle, the air observers saw
probably the worst traffic situation.
Here are 10 intersections, more than
at any other place in Washington. 1t
was agreed that the traffic outlet
should be widened at this point by
cutting away the outer walk on
this circle. All the other important
circles-Thomas, Scott, Logan, Sheri-
dan and Sherman, were given serious
study.
Another serious situation is on M
street, at the intersection of Connecti-
cut and Rhode Island avenues, at
the intersection of Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and onto the Key Bridge. The
air observers also paid special atten-
ton to the layout of the old Chesa-
peake & Potomac Canal, where 1t
is proposed to nave a water level
roadway on the bed of the canal, with
a half-cloverleaf under the Key
Bridge to relieve M street traffic, so
that motorists can get across the river
without going on M street. This pro-
posed new road would link up with
the proposed drive to Gettysburg, fol-
lowing the old tow path beyond the
bridge, so that one could drive all the
way to Gettysburg without any cross
intersections.
Chairman Carpenter stated that he
is about ready to conclude the hear
ings and get started on remedial
legislation next week. He assured
the District officials that he is con-
ddent much good" will result from
this intensive study of the traffic
tangle.
The hearing yesterday was one of
the most interesting and helpful thus
far, members of the subcommittee
agreed.
Judge John P. Mcmahon of the
Police Court, was questioned by
Chairman Carpenter about "loose
talk" that traffic tickets are fixed"
He said he was not qualified to state
all the facts but explained how
sometimes action is not taken on
some tickets where the corporation
counsel sees fit not to bring up the
case for some reason.
Representative Schultz said there
is not large city in the country
where this is not done.
Hazen Makes Proposals.
Commissioner Hazen recommended
three major proposals for promotion of
traffic safety:
l. Stagger hours for Government
employees:
2. Assignment of more uniformed
policemen to traffic duty;
3. Elimination of parking in the
congested traffic area. This area
should be from Sixth street west to
Nineteenth street, and from Oonsti-
tuition avenue north to L street. He
admitted that there is very serious"
opposition to this from business men.
but that when it was tried at the time
OF the Shriners' Convention at had
worked excellently."
He reviewed traffic safety activities
OF the present Board of District Com
missioners: Cd Establishing a num-
Der OF one-way streets during heavy
trafic periods; (2) stagger hours,
which have not been as successful as
desired, emphasizing that some
100000 come or 60 in congested areas
during busy period; 90 two educa-
tional campaigns last year did some
good but not lasting because groups of
new drivers come in each month;
90 revocation of operators permits;
f5) ban parking on all arterial high
ways in January and February to
permit snow removal; (6) Maj.
Brown training his police force more
efficiently; CD having conferences
now with experts on traffic problems;
CD conferences next week with
representatives of public utilities, in
. campaign to educate their drivers:
(9) bill in Congress to require semi
annual inspection of automobiles;
(10) constantly holding conferences
to promote traffic safety.
Commissioner Hazen read seven
recommendations Of a special COM
mittee appointed by the Commis-
sioners to study traffic situation:
U) to postpone study Of proposed
subway system until it is determined
how rerouting program works out
and until streets can be widened; (2)
street widening program to be adopt
ed; 90 that Connecticut Avenue
Bridge roadway be widened; ~ that
Scott, Thomas, Dupont and Logan
circles be redesigned; (5) that Com
missioners encourage establishment
of parking lots and reservations and
regulate charges; (6) that Public
Utilities Commission consider au-
thorization of skip stop system for
street cars and buses; CD enact
nent of a certificate of necessity and
convenience law which would make