Evening star., 1939-12-16
Block Light
Plan Opposed
By Traffic Unit
Council Recommends
Central Control for
Flexible Operation
BY G. ADAMS HOWARD.

BY G. ADAMS HOWARD.
A proposed change from the
present flexible progressive traffic
light system to the simultaneous,
or so-called block" method of tim
ing was unanimously opposed by
the Traffic Advisory Council at a
meeting last night In the District
Building. Experiments with the
plan also were vetoed.
recommendations were made to
further improvements in the now
existing system by the early in
stallation of a central control which
would facilitate more flexible opera
ton of lights in certain hours and
under different weather conditions
The action was taken by the
council when the report of the Com
mittee on Signs and Signals, head
ed by E. D. Merrill, was approved.
1t was voted that this committee
personally report the result to the
District Commissioners.
See Confusion Resulting.
The resolution embodied in the
report is as follows:
Resolved. that the Commits
sioners Traffic Advisory Council ad-
wise against the experiment with
the simultaneous, or so-called block
system Of timing of traffic lights be-
cause of the pratical difficulties in
volved in such an experiment, and
the unanimous opinion of the men,
bers of the committee and experts
whom they consulted, that such an
experiment would result in great
confusion, and serve no useful or
constructive purpose.
Resolved, That the council recon-
mends to the District Commissioners
the installation at an early date as
possible Of further Improvements in
timing devices, including the cen
tral control system with facilities
for varying the split at each inter-
section and the length of cycle to
suit varying conditions"
Cites Differences in Flow.
1t was brought out in the report
that the physical layout of the
District of Columbia is entirely diff
terent from the majority of cities,
and that on some Washington
streets the cross-town traffic often
Is greater than north and south. 1t
was also pointed out that Chicago
at the present time is eliminating
its block" system for the progress
sive plan.
The council also voted to indorse
the present plan of the Commits
sioners in the matter of giving pub
licity to motorists having traffic
tickets adjusted. or fixed"
This was done by the approval of
the report of the Legislative and
Enforcement Committee, headed by
Harry S. Wender. The report, in
part, is as follows:
your committee commends the
District Commissioners for their re-
Gently established policy Of elimi-
mating improper ticket cancellations
through the publication of all ad-
Justments made or warnings given
BY the Police Department and cor
poration counsels Office and recon-
mends that the practice be con-
tinued. The success of the plan is
alread yam acknowledged fact. as
demonstrated by the number of re-
quests now being received by assist
ants to the corporation counsel at
the Police Court.
Reduced * Per cant
"Your committee is reliably in
formed that such requests now total
approximately Is per cent Of the
original number prior to the time
that publicity began. Consistent re-
peaters have completely disappeared
and the quashing of charges has
been brought practically to a mini
mum. 1t is no longer customary for
corporation counsel's assistants to
quash charges except for the most
exceptional reasons and if it is ap-
parent that leniency should be
shown to the defendant, he is re-
quested to plead guilty before the
court and personal bond is recon-
mended.''
In the discussion of one-way plans
for Jocelyn and Kanawha streets,
the council decided that further
study was necessary. In the mean
time present signs prohibiting park
ing on the south side of Jocelyn
street were asked to be taken down
pending a survey.
A proposal to make certain part
time one-way streets have the same
restrictions on Saturdays, Sundays
and holidays was disapproved.
George E. Keneipp. in the absence
Of Whitney Leary, presided.