Evening star., 1939-01-01
Parking Meters; $
Success, Survey
Disc|oses
Future Depends on
Opinion Of People,
Says Collins

OPIHIoH OF TeOPles
Says Collins
The controversial parking meters,
after six weeks of operation, seem
to have met the approval of all
except overtime violators, a survey
indicates. District officials, motor
lists, downtown businessmen and
parking lot operators were found in
general agreement that the meters
are, a success. Whether more will
be added or those in operation re-
moved depends on congressional &C
ton before July /, when the next
fiscal year begins.
The $40 experimental meters, the
survey showed, are being closely
obeyed. While the traffic division
of the Police Department has no
comparative statistics on parking
tickets a number of officers believe
there is some decrease in the meter
area.
The meters, it was found, have
been particularly effective in break
ing up all-day parking in restrict
ed areas. Probably the heaviest blow
is against Virginia and Maryland
residents who ignore the signs and
tear up tickets they receive because
they live across the District line.
Those who continued the practice
after the meters we're installed
found police cracking down" on
the abusers, with definite proof
from the automatic timers.
Turnover Is Greater.
The meters are installed In all
available parking spaces in the gen.
eral area from Seventh to Fiji
teenth and E to G streets NV. Pa
trolmen in that section generally
agree that there is a greater turn
over in the number of parkers.
One main point brought out
against keeping the meters or in
stalling more is the danger Of mo-
torists becoming lax and later ig-
noring them as has happened fire.
quently in places with signs only.
Police say meters make 1t easier
and quicker to keep tabs on vio-
iators, as we'll as giving them prac-
tically undentable proof of the time
a car has been parked.
Downtown parking lot and ga
rage operators report an increase
in long time parkers and decline
in the number of short-time park
ings. Though all reported increased
business for December, they pointed
out that Christmas buying brought
more than the ordinary traffic to
the downtown area and that last
month could not be used as a di-
rect guide on the meter effect.
Opinion to Be Guide.
Chairman Collins of the House
subcommittee in charge of District
appropriation bills, who recently in
dicated he might recommend that
no funds be provided for meters In
next years budget, said yesterday
he would be guided by the opinion
of local residents. Last year peo-
pie were against them and shall
try to find their sentiment before
taking action this year." he said.
I will do what the people here
want me to do"
Senator King, chairman Of the
Senate District Committee, said he
would keep an open mind on the
matter and give 1t careful consider
alton before recommending either
removal or retention of the meters.
However, he pointed out that in
his home town, Salt Lake City,
they had been tried and abandoned
II don't know If they are sue
cess or otherwise" the Senator said.
TT Is a controversial question and
there Is a lot for and against
meters" Senator King said he had
talked with the District Commis-
sioners sometime ago about the
meters and expected to do so again.
II shall make thorough investiga-
ton before voting on their de-
STABILITY" he said, "and I will give
the matter thought and attention
before the time to decide"
Time Held Too Short.
Many motorists complained that
meters in limiting parking to 20
minutes and l hour did not give
them time enough to transact their
business. In areas not guarded by
meters. but only by signs, there is
a tendency to stretch the limit.
If meters are to be retained their
time limit should be extended, many
persons declared.
LIE. Hammot, manager of the
Washington Garage Parking Lot
Co., described the situation by say
ing: People didn't pay any atten-
ton to signs, but they are afraid of
the meters" He said the meters
had increased his business because
motorists wanting to park longer
than the limit drove in.
One of the attendants at station
at Tenth and E streets NV. said
many of his customers remarked on
the increased turnover in curb
parking. He said he noticed no
direct effect on his business except
that he got more customers for long
time parking and fewer for an hour
or under. Before meters were in
stalled, he said, many workers near
his place parked all day, but now
the practice has been broken up.
Has Received No Complaints.
William A. Van Duzer, traffic di-
rector, said he had received no COM
plants against the meters and feels
sure they are success"
1--WE have lots of time between now
and July l to test them," he con-
tinued. mo more will be installed
until Congress decides He pointed
out that the appropriation was spe-
ciflc for the number and the length
of trial.
Chatham Towers, tax collector,
said the meters brought in about
$4,000 the first month Of operation
A report on the second months in
come will not be available for an
other two weeks,