Evening star., 1937-12-15
PARLEY ON SAFETY
FAVORS RIGID BANS
ON D. c. PARKING
Program Includes Crowded
Areas and Prohibition
Effective at Night.
ACTION BY CONGRESS
WARNED BY SCHULTZ
Group Is Aroused Over SO Deaths
in Traffic-Says Slaughter"
Must Be Stopped.

A prohibition against all automo-
bile parking in the congested section,
adoption of a pedestrian control reg
ulation plan and ban on all-night
parking constitute the paramount fea-
lures of far-reachihg traffic safety
program approved today by a group
OF members of the House District
Committee and police and traffic of.
fcials.
Unless the District Commissioners
take prompt action to put this pro-
gram into effect, according to Repre-
sentative Schultz, Democrat, of In
olana, Congress will do it by specific
legislation. Mr.. Schultz believes the
commissioners have the needed au-
tnorlty without new legislation.
The program was worked out at a
conference called by Mr.. Schultz, who
Two years ago served on a special sub
committee of the House District Com
mittee which made an exhaustive
study of Washingtons traffic situation
Aroused over the 90 traffic deaths so
lar this year. Mr.. Schultz announced
at the outset of the conference he did
not propose ito sit idly by as peopla
are slaughtered in traffic"
Determined to Take Action.
We are determined to take drastic
action to stop this slaughter" he de-
clared. Our aim is to make 1888 a
deathless year from traffic in the Dis
trlct. People have got to stop jay-
walking. Motorists have got to stop
driving wild"
Inc conference was attended bv
Representatives Arnold of Illinois and
McGehee OF Mississippi, Democrats.
both members of the District Commit
tee: Police Supt Ernest w, Brown
Traffic Director William A. Van Dlzer
and Police Inspector William E
Holmes.
Another conference will be held
early next week to which the Com
mlssioners and Corporation Counsel
ElWood H. Seal will be invited.
Mr.. Van Duzer pointed out that sew
eral years ago he recommended a
| pedestrian control regulation, but il
was pigeon-holed at the District
| Building. He declared pedestrians then
and now were largely responsible for
the present high traffic death rate
he submitted statistical report
showing that Of the SO deaths this
year, 40 OF the victims were pedes-
TRANS who did not cross at street in
tersections.
Approves Pedestrian Laws.
Mr.. McGehee said he approved a
pedestrian control regulation. Il iay-
walk myself he declared, but I
wouldn't do it if knew would be
arrested"
"One of the first things that must
be done to make the streets safe is to
eliminate downtown parking" Mr..
Schultz said. You police and traffic
officials can tell the Commissioners We
want it done. We will accept the re-
sponsibility. We attempt to legislate
for the majority, not for q vicious
minority that might oppose a parking
ban. The streets are designed for the
movement of traffic, not as a storage
space for automobiles"
Prior to adoption of a regulation
forbidding all-night parking, Mai.
Brown said he would have the police
department make a survey of all va
cant property in the District where
cars could be stored at night. Mr..
Schultz proposed to pay the owners of
these lots for their use, either through
an appropriation for that purpose or
relieving them of the annual real
estate tax payment.
Increase in Patrol.
In addition to the proposed new
regulation. the secondary part of the
safety program approved at the con-
ference includes:
l. A substantial increase In the
motor cycle patrol force.
2. An increase in appropriations for
trafflc signs and markers.
3. A prohibition against parking
within so feet of an intersection or 20
feet behind building line. Cars now
(See SAFETY, Page A-3.)