Evening star., 1939-11-15
Stanton Park Citizens
Told Parents Should
Set Safety Standards
Association Heurs
EIdridse; Brick-Focing
For Armory Opposed

Responsibility for the safety Of
children crossing streets rests en-
tirely with the parents, M. o. Ed
ridge, assistant traf1ic director of
the District. told members of the
Stanton Park Citizens Association
at a meeting Of the organization last
night.
Parents should set an example by
crossing the streets At cross walks
and obeying the trafiic signals" he
said, and in this way the child will
learn the proper way to cross
streets"
Mr.. Eldridge revealed that from
1881 to 1898, ~ pedestrians were
killed in the District and almost half
Of these, 48 per cent, were killed
while crossing in the middle Of the
street. I nan eight-year period, he
added, 106 child pedestrians were
killed, half of these between the
ages of 3 and 6 years.
Cites Innovations introduced.
Three innovations relating to traf-
flc and safety in the District, put
into effect within the last year, were
explained by Mr.. Eldridge. In addi-
ton to pedestrian regulations, he
spoke on parking meters and the
automobile inspection stations. Three
hundred and ten meters are now in
operation downtown, he said, with
the possibility Of more being in
stalled in the near future.
The new walk light" system at
Thirteenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue NV. was discussed, as we're
the safety islands" constructed in
some parts of downtown Washing
ton for the safety of the pedestrian
who is caught" in the middle of the
street when the trafdc light changes.
More walk lights" such as at Thir-
teenth and Pennsylvania avenue will
be installed in the future, MIR. Ed
ridge said, If the public indicates
Its desire for them.
Added Gas Tax Opposed.
Prior to Mr.. Eldrigde's talk the
association took action on two reso-
lutions A proposal to construct the
new National Guard Armory at the
end of East Capitol street of brick
instead of granite or limestone was
opposed on the motion of William j.
Bartle, secretary. The other reso-
luton, a congressional bill to in
crease the gasoline tax in the Dis
trict by l cent as a substitute for the
present District income tax, was also
opposed. Speaking on the proposal
Harry NJ Stull, president Of the
Federation of Citizens Associations
and a member Of the Stanton Park
group, said the bill is being incon-
sistent in view of the fact that there
is at present a heavy tax on the
motorist and the fact that the Dis
trict's income tax has not been thor
oughly tested as to its advantages or
disadvantages.
Reorganization Study Ordered.
A committee was appointed to
make q study of the new plan for
reorganization of the municipal gov
ernment as drafted by the Commits
sioners' kitchen cabinet" and report
ut an executive meeting of the as
sociation before November ~, the
date set for public hearings of the
proposals.
District officials were to be asked
to repair the sidewalk on the c
street (NE) side Of the Peabody
School.
Capt. Richard Mansfield and It.
John Mehoney of the ninth police
precinct, spoke briefly on commit
nifty problems affecting the associa-
ton and the police precinct.
The meeting was held in the Pea
body School and presided over by
the president, Curtis Chadwick.