Evening star., 1938-02-06
FEDERATION ASKS
SPEED LIMIT RAISE
TO I 25 TO $ M.P.H.
Dozen Traffic Resolutions
Adopted at Spirited Safe
ty Meeting.
FUNDS FOR NEW BRIDGE
WILL BE SUPPORTED
Two Additional Judges for Police
Court and Pedestrian Control
Also Advocated.

AitledS VI the maximum speed
limit from 80 to 35 miles per hour and
the general limit from % to IS miles
was urged last night by the Fedora
ton Of Citizens Associations.
In rapldfre fashion the body de-
bated and adopted an even dozen reso-
lutlons offered by Harry S. Wender,
chairman of the Safety Committee, the
subjects ranging all the way from
tests for drunken drivers to recording
OF liens on automobiles.
Officers of the federation were di-
rected to make fight for restoration
OF appropriations for the starting of
construction OF the new PENNSYLVANIA
Avenue Bridge. which was stricken
from the District supply bill in the
House. The body also declared the
proposed appropriations for construc-
ton Of underpasSes at Dupont and
Thomas Circles should be DELAYED un-
til completion of the PENNSYLVANIA
avenue span was assured.
Provision of two additional Judges
for Police Court, urged by Corporation
Counsel ElWood H. Seal, was recon-
mended. and the organization also
called for the operation of a full-time
Traffic Court, to remove congestion
and delays.
PedestriaI Control.
A proposal for a limited form of
pedestrian control met with approval
after heated debate. Mr.. Wender de-
clared 1t would be impossible to reg
ulate traffic on coneested areas with
out maintenance of some police con-
troll, even though the District pro-
ceeded with plans for installation OF
additional walk lights The modi-
fed control plan is to require pe-
destrians to comply with the walk"
signals or directions from traffic
officers assigned at such intersections.
H, M. Fulton of the Logan Square
Thomas Circle Citizens Association
declared there was no reason so
pamper the already overpampered
motorists at the expense of the over
penalized pedestrians. William NICK.
Clayton, joining in the minority fight,
warned that the proposal was one
step toward complete pedestrian con-
stand for individual rights"
Mr.. Wender shouted: :You mean
the individual right to be killed."
Yes" Mr.. Clayton retorted, Ito be
killed If want to be killed"
''The. Unfortunate Sucker"
UNFORTUNATELY" Mr.. Wender con-
tinued. the unfortunate sucker that
thA
vidualist who refuses to obey pedes-
trian signals-must go to court and
explain he didn't have any RESPONSE
bility for the fatality"
There was similar fight over the
proposed increases in speed, some dele
gates contending there would be no
better enforcement of the speed limits
II the rates were increased and others
insisting speed has no connection
with traffic accidents. The proposal
was adopted by vote of A to %.
The federation called on District
ofilcials to establish a uniform test
for determining whether motorists
are drunk, after Chairman Wender
warned that the hazard from drunken
drivers had been on the increase. No
specific test was advocated, however.
Il don't pretend to know what is
the best test. but one system should
be adopted instead of leaving it to
the individual idea of the arresting
policeman" Mr.. Wender shouted. LET
them decide to make the accused
driver pronounce the word "Schenec-
tady: If they wish, but let's do some
thing to end this system under which
juries refuse to convict for lack of
satisfactory proof, even though the
driver may have been completely
'ossified.'"
Recalls 6o-Year old Test.
At this point, James F. Duhamel
reminded the body that some so years
ago. the test for drunkenness was to
ask the accused to recite: Laurel,
Nd, Is a truly rural district"
Other recommendations approved
called for:
installation Of Governors on cars of
persons convicted Of speeding, in lieu
OF suspension of permits. by voluntary
agreement OF the driver, in cases where
his livelihood depends on use OF the
car.
requirement that applicants for
taxlcab licenses be fingerprinted in an
enort to keep criminals out of the
business.
Wilbur S. Finch, chairman of the
Committee on Local Suffrage, SUBJ
mltted report showing increasing
congressional attention to disfran-
chisement of District residents. but
action was deferred until the next
meeting
The Executive Committee was au-
thorized to formulate a position for
the federation at congressional hear
1ngs on pending taxation plans.
On motion of Fred Emery, the fed
~eration praised the long civic work
performed by Edwin S. Hege, who has
resigned as delegate from the Chevy
Th00A