Evening star., 1940-04-14
By g. adams Howard.

women daily are lending their time
and efforts to the study of conditions
here, hoping for greater comfort and
safety for all. This is being done
with the full cooperation and ap-
proval Of the District ofncials.
~ Serving without pay, these resi-
dents Of the National Capital feel
proud of their civic work and believe
that much has been accomplished,
but the field for achievements is still
wide open. The desire to make this
city model one is always uppermost
in their minds.
In this role, one of the most i'm
portant organizations is the Advisory
Board of the D. G. Motor Club of
the American Automobile Associa-
ton. The work of its members is
OF serious nature and in a serious
way it is taken. The responsibility
Is large, but recognized.
Let's look into the activities of this
board. 1t is of interest to motorists
and pedestrians alike.
Withing the past week officials of
the District of Columbia Motor Club
OF the American Automobile Asso-
citation went before congressional
committees on three separate occa-
sions with recommendations for spe-
cific legislation affecting Washing
ton motorists.
There is nothing particularly un-
usual about this, of course, because
this 30-year-old Washington club
has been taking up the cudgels for
motorists during all its long history
not only on legislative matters, but
IN every other field wherein it may
add to the comfort. convenience and
pleasure of the motorist.
However, the past weeks instances
may be used to bring these activities
down to date" and at the same
time serve as illustrative of the func-
tions Of the club and its setup, as
well as that of the Nationwide or
ganization of which it is key unit
the "A. 4. A."
Like all other clubs affiliated with
the A. A. A., the District club is
autonomous in local matters: its
policy shaping body is its Advisory
Board, made up of 80 outstanding
civic, business and professional lead
ers and representative members
serving throughout the year, with
out compensation.
Matters of broad policy are de-
termined by the membership itself,
through polls conducted by the
American Motorist, monthly maga-
zine of the District of Columbia
club. An example is the recently
concluded poll on 10 important traf-
f1c questions, in which the clubs
members by an overwhelming ma
jority, pointed the finger of scorn
at Washingtons parking facilities as
the Capitals No. l traffic prob
lem. Thousands of ballots coming
into club headquarters during the
poll showed an all but unanimous
impatience with the parking situa-
ton in downtown Washington, and
equally strong insistence on relief.
AS result, one of the legislative
aims of the club is passage of the
Dirksen bill directing the District
government to provide municipal
OF street parking facilities.
Other questions on the ballot de-
veloped that 90 per cent of motor
lists who filed 1t are against diver
sion Of motor vehicle and gasoline
tax funds to non-highway purposes;
that five of every six strongly IA
vor pedestrian regulation; that 70
per cent are opposed to recent pro-
posals that police scout cars be un-
identified and cruise the streets dis
guised as private vehicles; that more
than 80 per cent think outdoor ad-
vertising along rural highways
should be regulated; that 80 per cent
favor traffic safety education, in
cluding at-the-wheel training of
drivers in high schools, and so on.
All these replies have been trans
lated into policy-one of the appear
ances before congressional commit
tees referred to above was in be-
half of an additional appropriation
for extension of high school driver
training.
This translation of members SEN
timents into policy and direction of
activities to achieve that policy, is
the primary function of the advisory
board-it is the same in all the 725
A. A. A. clubs and branches located
all over the United States and
Canada.
To take the burden of too-frequent
meetings off members of the entire
board, and to eliminate a too
crowded agenda on occasions when
1t meets, the group is divided into
eight standing committees: Legis-
lation, taxation, traffic and parking,
highways and bridges, enforcement,
safety and education, public rela-
tions and women's safety. Each of
these handles policy matters within
its sphere, makes its recommends
tions to the board in instances where
full board action is required, and,
upon approval, carries out the plans.
An example: When the analysis
Of the 1889 traffic record for the Dis
trict revealed the fact that pedes-
trians were losing their lives in three
out of four fatal traffic accidents,
the Advisory Board, through its
traffic committee, made an exhaus-
tive study of the situation and then
voted to recommend the adoption
Of a program of pedestrian protec-
ton. This plan was approved by
the District Commissioners and was
placed in operation during the
month of March. 1889 Pedestrian
regulations have been in effect for
one year and slow but definite prog
ress in protecting the lives of those
who walk has resulted.
Based upon surveys made by the
staff of the A. A. A. the Advisory
Board also voted in favor of increas-
ing the personnel of the Police De-
partment. The specific request was
that there be 10 per cent increase
In the personnel of the Police De-
partment and that the motorcycle
corps be increased from go to 100
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