Evening star., 1941-03-23
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

Construction of motor vehicle
subways or elevated high-speed
highways, estimated to cost ap-
proximately S25,000000, was
recommended yesterday by the
streets and traffic subcommittee
of the House District COMMITTEES
as a permanent cure for WASH
ington's traffic congestion.
The recommendation, one Of
eight made by the subcommittee as
result of its recent investigation Of
traffic tie-ups and fatalities, con.
templated financing the subways or
elevated highways through 2-cent
increase in the local gasoline tax
and additional matching revenue to
be allotted by the Federal Govern
ment. 1t was estimated such a plan
would yield about S5 100000 a year,
of which motorists would contribute
half by paying cents instead Of
2 cents a gallon tax on gasoline.
Patchwork" Planning Criticized.
The subcommittee criticized the
"piecemeal, patchwork" planning of
the past as one of the contributing
causes to present traffic conditions,
and pointed out that traffic tie-ups
which prevent Government work.
ers reporting for work on time not
only are affecting the efficiency Of
the Federal service during this
period of the national emergency,
but also are costing the United
States thousands of dollars.
1t declared a special board should
be created to make an immediate
survey to determine the location Of
the proposed subWays or elevated
highways and the method of financ-
ing. The board would be composed
of a representative of the Federal
Bureau of Public Roads, the director
of highways of the District, the
chief engineer of the Public Utilities
Commission and the budget officer
of the District.
Other Suggestions Made.
Other outstanding recommended
tions which are embodied in a re-.
port filed with the District Commits
tee by Representative Schultz, DEM
ocrat, of Indiana, who as chairman
of the Streets and Traffic Subcom-
mittee directed the Investigation,
are:
l. One hundred additional traffic
officers for the Police Department.
2. A special survey with view to
providing adequate off-street park
ing facilities so that automobile
parking in the business area eventu-
ally can be abolished.
8. Mandatory Jail sentences Of
from to days for motorists found
guilty of driving in excess of so
miles an hour.
4. Refining of traffic lights to
make the flow of traffic smoother.
5. Return of the so-called skip
stop" system used by the transit
lines during the World War for an
experimental period of at least so
days.
Text of Report.
The report follows:
Your Subcommittee on Streets
and Traffic has conducted an ex-
haustive investigation of the traffic
problems in the District of Colum-
bia. A number of witnesses were
neard at series of both public and
private hearings. Outstanding among
these were officials of the Police
Department, and judges of Police
Court who also serve on the Traffic
Court bench in rotation.
These witnesses gave your SUBJ
committee much valuable informa-
tion with respect to the traffic situa-
ton here and suggested number Of
changes in the control and regula-
ton of traffic which they believe
would not only facilitate the flow of
traffic but also cut the traffic fatality
and accidents rates. Some of their
(See SCHULTZ Page A-16)