Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-12-16
BAN ON CRUISING
BY D. c. TAX|CAbS
BEING CONSIDERED
Representative Schultz An
nounces Plan in War on
Traffic Deaths.
CLINIC SEEKS TO END
DOWNTOWN CONGESTION
Hazen Opposes Immediate End
to All-Night Parking
y Throughout City.


"cruising" in the congested section in
( search of fares was the latest proposal
taken under consideration today by
Representative Schultz, Democrat, of
Indiana in his campaign to make 1885
a deathless year from traffic accidents
In the District.
Mr.. Schultz made this announce
ment after District Commissioner
Hazen had indicated he was opposed
to an immediate ban on all-night
parking throughout the city.
Mr.. Schultz has been told that
while the cabs have not materially
contributed to the high fatality rate
this year, they cause considerable
congestion in the business area.
1--WE want to do everything possible
that will prevent traffic Deaths" de-
clared Mr.. Schultz. IF the conges-
ton that taxicabs cause by cruising
is likely to lead to a death, then !
think something should be done to
stop it."
Traffic officials pointed out that
stands have been established at con-
venient points throughout the con-
gested section for cabs and that a
prohibition against cruising" would
not cause serious inconvenience to
the public.
Leads Nation in Taxicabs.
Records of the Public Utilities Com
mission show Washington has more
taxfcabs per capita than any city in
the world. At present there are
nearly 5000 licensed cabs. Legisla-
ton is now pending in Congress that
would authorize the commission grad
ually to reduce the number to meet
q rule of public convenience and
necessity" The commission has in
Dictated its goal would be maximum
of $500.
Mr.. Schultz is preparing to call the
Commissioners into conference either
Friday or early next week to inform
them of a new traffic safety program
approved yesterday at traffic clinic"
In his, Office, and demand that steps
be taken to put it into effect. The
major features of the program are:
l.. A prohibition against all auto
mobile parking in the congested Sec
ton.
2. A prohibition against Jay walk
ing" by forcing pedestrians to cross
at intersections on the proper signal.
3. A ban on al-night parking.
Hazen Opposes Night Ban.
Commissioner Hazen appeared sur
prised when he heard that the House
committee group had suggested ban
ming of automobile parking by day
and night in the congested district.
We'll, that's hot potato" he said.
Mr.. Hazen questioned the wisdom
OF any sudden adoption of the pro-
posed regulations and suggested, sig
niflcantly, that if such moves are to
be made at once, they should be
ordered by Congress and not left to
the Commissioners.
1t is believed the Commissioners
will take this position when they and
Corporation Counsel Elwood H. Seal
confer next week with Mr.. Shuttle and
some other members of the House Dis
trict Committee, judging from the re-
action today given by Mr.. Hazen.
Parking Restriction Problem.
Commissioner Hazen said he believed
IN the principle of extension of park
ing restrictions, especially in the down.
tow zone, but he raised the question of
whether more harm than good would
come from the sudden adoption of
complete parking restrictions
Il do not see how we can afford to
adopt the complete prohibition on
parking, even in the downtown con-
gested zone, and make it effective at
once" Mr.. Hazen said. Undoubtedly,
we would find there are not nearly
enough off-street facilities for mini
mum requirements.
I'VE have been for more than 10
years gradually extending parking re-
str1ctpns. 1t is to be expected that
these restrictions will have to be ex-
tended further, but am afraid there
would be quite turmoil if we sud-
denly invoked the complete ban.
Favors Gradual Change.
1T Is my view that if and when
we find it advisable to prohibit all
parking, it should be done gradually,
small section at time, giving from
six months to a year before it is
mandatory even in the downtown
traffic zone. Then, if further restric-
tions are needed, believe they should
be extended to additional areas In
the same way, allowing from six
months to a year before the effective
date is reached"
Commissioner Hazen looked askance
at the revival of the proposed pedes-
TRAN control regulation II don't
know that We could obtain effective en-
fcrcement here without large in
crease in the number of policemen, y
= said the Commissioner. I'VE have in
stalled pedestrian walk lights at two
intersections on F street. Very few
pedestrians pay any attention to them
at all. This means an increase in the
work of the police if We are ever tc
make them effective at two intersec-
tons. do believe pedestrians should
observe traffic signals and should cross
only at the crosswalks, but confess
I do not know how that could be
achieved under present circumstances
An-Night Parking Question.
The Commissioner also questioned
whether there should be ban on all.
night parking generally. Again hi
suggested another lack of sufficient
garages or off-street parking facilities
in many areas and suggested that this
must be considered If the complete
prohibition of parking is considered.
Automobile parking will be banned
between am. and am. along
stretches Of S. streets from December
Is to March Is under an order recently
upheld by the U. S. Court Of Appeals
Kennedy Voices Objection.
Representative Kennedy, Democrat
OF Maryland, q member Of the House
District Committee who was unable