Evening star., 1936-02-25
Over and Under Structures
Held Needed to Curb
Death in Streets.
INCREASE IN NUMBER
OF OFFICERS WANTED
So Cyclers Patrol $50 Miles.
Deny Congress Members
Claim Immunity.
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Any steps to drive the specter of
death from the highways of the Dis
trict and improve traffic conditions
should include the abolition of park
ing IN the congested area and the con-
struction of overpasses and under
passes, Police Supt. Ernest w. Brown
today told the special Traffic Subcom-
mittee of the House District Commit
tee.
Maj. Brown also stressed the need
of material increase in police per-
sonnel, especially in the traffic squad.
pointing out that the strength Of tie
force is the same as it was five years
ago. despite growth in population
and large increase in automobile
registration.
Mai. Brown was the only witness
who appeared before the subcomm!r-
tee, which esumed its study of traffic
conditions after Today respite. He
was questioned about all phases oi
traffic enforcement and related Sub
jects, with view to developing wha:
is needed to improve traffic conditlon5,
and at the same time make the streets
safer for both pedestrians and motor
lists.
Sc Officers on Cycles.
Representative Schultz. Democrat.
Of Indiana opened the questioning OF
Maj. Brown by asking him how many
officers are assigned to duty on motor
cycles, enforcing speed and other traf-
fic regulations.
There are So officers. assigned to
patrol $50 miles" replied Maj. Brown.
Major, I'll say you are Houdini
trying to take care of traffic and
save lives with only 50 motor cycle
officers" remarked Schultz.
What about eliminating the left
turn in the congeSted section?" Schultz
asked.
"Of course, traffic officers will ia
vor that" replied Maj. Brown. But
/ we know such a plan will throw the
volume of traffic on some other inter-
section. No doubt it will expedite
the movement of traffic, and there
is no doubt about the left turn being
hazardous turn"
| At this point, Representative Short,
Republican, of Missouri interrupted:
! Il want to say from my observa-
tions," he said, that traffic in Wash
ington is well regulated, especially
when you consider how the streets
are laid out with circles, serving as
a sort of spoke in a wheel"
Police Increase Denied.
! Maj. Brown then pointed out there
has been no increase in the police
force in the last five years, despite an
increase in population and an in
crease in automobile registration.
II believe y.u should be congratu-
! lated" said Short. And let me say,
too, that 1 have found your officers
courteous but firm"
Thank you" responded Maj. Brown.
would it be possible" Schultz in
quired, ito take some of your foot
patrolmen and place them on motor
cycles to enforce traffic regulations?"
1T would, if we could get appropria-
tions to purchase equipment and pay
the officers an additional compensa-
ton of $120 a year." Maj. Brown an
swered.
A question was then raised as to
whether members of Congress observe
traffic regulations. Short said he be-
lieved members of Congress should be
careful to observe traffic regulations at
all times.
Since that question has been
Drought up, want to ask you this
question, major: Has any member of
Congress challenged your men with a
statement. You can't arrest me'?"
mo; don't know Of any such
case" replied Maj Brown.
"Congressmen," Carpenter injected.
should be a model in law observance.
They should set an example
Parking Delicate" Topic.
"What do you think of the univer-
sal custom in Washington Of parking
cars in the streets?" inquired Carpen-
ter of Brown.
THAT Is due" Brown explained.
'to a regulation which permits cars
to park 18 hours consecutively in GER
tain sections"
"Is parking a necessary evil?" asked
Carpenter.
That's a very delicate subject"
replied Maj. Brown.
well, we have discussed delicate
subjects before" said Carpenter. Its
unfortunate" remarked Maj. Brown.
that steps were not taken 20 or Is
years ago to force car owners to pro-
vide off-street storage. At this time.
with an increase in automobile regis
tration, I don't believe there are ade-
quate facilities for off-street storage
Of all cars, and I don't believe there
will be any real improvement in the
traffc situation until parking IS
Asked whether any move had been
made to get an increase In police per-
sonnel, Maj. Brown told how he went
before the Commissioners last Summer
with a request for 131 additional men,
and they approved 80. The Budget
Bureau allowed IS more.
Short inquired If any study had been