Evening star., 1939-10-22
DC. Traffic Conditions Blamed
For Auto Per Capita Decline
Washington, Once
Fifth, Drops to
36th Place
BY RUSSELL E. SINGER,
General Manager, American Automobile
Association

General Manager, American Automobile
Association.
With another automobile show at
hand, Washingtonians again will
flnd themselves amazed at the
wizardry of the industry that has
provided personalized transporta-
ton for millions of Americans. Sleek,
handsome, new bodies; powerful,
smooth running. dependable engines
added together to form the mod
ern miracle of motorization.
But when the average Washing
tonian looks at modern car. his
thoughts 60 out far beyond the Dis
trict line. Out there such a car can
have full use; the owner can enjoy
the fruits of mechanical marvels
that have been provided him by the
carmakers. But in his own city-in
the day-to-day use of his car-he
find himself shackled by congestion,
by lack of parking facilities, by a
plethora of lights at poorly selected
places and poorly timed, by stop
signs scattered helter-skelter
throughout the city and by a thou
sand and one other annoyances that
rob the car of many of its advan-
tages.
In 1885, Washington was exceeded
by only five cities in motorcar own
ership on a population basis. Take
a look at the record today. WASH
ington in the short space of three
years has dropped to thirty-sixth
place among the Nations cities from
the car-owning standpoint. From
fifth place to thirty-siXth place! To
my mind, there can be no explana-
ton of this terrific falling back eX-
cept the onerous traffic conditions
with which Washington motorists
have to cope.
Take a look at the record of the
States. A number of the States
showed decreased registration last
year-the largest decrease for any
one State being ga per cent. And in
the District? In the District the de-
crease was lis per cent, nearly
twice as great decrease as that OF
any State in the Union.
To the Offices Of the American
Automobile Associa iation-which is
affiliated with motor clubs all over
the world-come travellers who have
driven in many foreign lands. Their
reaction to Washington traffic situ-
alton almost invariably is summed
up in these terse words: The
worlds worst!"
It is difficult to speak temperately
of some of the things Washington
motorists suffer. Here is an inter-
section at which all four approach
streets are guarded with stop signs.
There is an intersection where one
of the new arrow lights allowing
traffic to move only one way at a
time is creating congestion where
congestion never existed before
Everywhere there are signs telling
the motorists not to park. or not to
stop, or to 60 one way at a certain
time and another way at another
time, uncontrolled street cars jump
ing the lights to the peril of motor
lists and pedestrian, busses stopping
on the approach instead of the far
side of the intersection and JAM
ming traffic. :.
Motorists for years have been
complaining because of failure to
find place to park. What has been
the answer to this problem? More
no parking signs. naturally. Longer
street car loading zones with at
tendant no-parking signs; more and
longer bus stop signs around which
no parking is allowed Prevention
OF parking within so feet of an inter-
section, whether such prohibition is
needed for adequate vision or not.
More Private Entrance-No Park
Ing Signs of course, parking
meters which solve nothing and pro-
vide no new parking space, but ex-
tort revenue from the motorist.
Harassed, annoyed, be-deviled. de-
layed, motorists have almost given
up hope for relief When conditions
had almost passed the point of suf-
ferance and motorists were COM
planning grievously about their
Affections, they we're granted. by a
benef1cent Congress, not better
traffic conditions. but-wonder of
wonders-a spanking big increase
In their taxes
To the car dealers in Washington,
I wish to extend my hearty con-
gratulations on their fine offerings
for the new motor year and to wish
them every success In the months
ahead. And I am sure that every
one In the industry will agree that
the chances for success would be
much brighter if Washingtonians
could only be assured that traffic
conditions will be so improved that
driving a car in our Capital City
would become real source of Joy
and a means of efficient transporta-
tion. Let's all work together toward
that end.