Evening star., 1941-01-25
Traffic Council
Backs Vigi|ante
Reporting Plan
Charges Of Spy
System Hurled; Unit
Named to Work on 1t

The Traffic Advisory Council to-
day was on record as favoring some
form of reporting by citizens OF
traffic violations following heated
discussion at its meeting last night
at the District Building during
which charges of "spy system" and
n-American" were hurled at the
proposal by its opponents.
A special committee consisting of
A. Julian Brylawski, chairman;
Washington I. Cleveland, manager
of the District division of the Amer
ican Automobile Association; George
E. Keneipp, manager of the Key
stone Automobile Club; William T.
Cameron, Col. l.. C. Crawford and
Harry S. Wender was appointed to
work out details of the plan and re-
port back at the next meeting of
the council February 7.
As outlined tentatively by Mr..
Wender, who claimed the plan has
been Endorsed by Maj. Ernest. w.
Brown, superintendent of police, a
group of citizens would be appointed
by the District Commissioners to OBJ
serve and report all moving traffic
violations to the Traffic Department.
How Plan Would Work.
Form letters then would be sent
to the individual in whose name the
vehicle observed violating a traffic
regulation is listed. In the event
three separate observers report one
motorist on three different occasions
the driver would be called before
Traffic Department officials. Names
of all observers would be made pub
lie on appointment.
Mr.. Wender emphasized, however,
that no definite setup has been
worked out as yet and that the spe-
cial committee may remove any
punitive action from the plan,
placing the emphasis on traffic
safety education.
Charging that creation of such
group would set up IAN army Of
spies" o, c. Holleran expressed the
fear that it would create a prece-
dent and that I'VE would soon have
spies on every other police matter"
Both he and Mr.. Cameron de-
clared that it is the job of police to
enforce the law and that the solu-
tlon OF the traffic death problem in
Washington lies in additional police
rather than the setting up of a
"vigilante" group.
No Legal Action.
But upon being assured by Mr..
Wender that the group would not
necessarily have to take any puni-
tive action and that violations OBJ
served by members of the group
would not be used in any legal ac-
ton against the motorists, both men
withdrew their objections.
In another move to stop the
slaughter" on Washington streets,
the council urged the appointment
of 90 additional policemen to be
used exclusively for traffic work, of
whom As would be placed on motor
cycles.
The group also asked an increase
from $120 to s240 per year in the
bonus given motorcycle policemen
because of the dangerous" character
of their work.
After a half-hour discussion on
the desirability of placing photo
graphs on drivers permits, the coun-
Gil referred the matter to a special
committee which will report on the
plan at the councils next meeting.
The council also favored installa-
ton OF flashing neon arrows, similar
to those on Twelfth street NV, on
all important one-way streets, par
tlcularly part-time one-way streets.
and urged the Commissioners to OBJ
tain funds from Congress for that
purpose. Mr.. Cleveland and Arthur
Clephane were appointed to work
with Traffic Director William A.
van Duzer in drafting a letter to
the Commissioners on the subject.
Branding of Bad Tires Asked.
Anothed action taken by the group
recommended the branding of con-
demned tires at District inspection
stations with the word rejected.
At present, it was explained. motor
lists can rent a good tire for inspec-
ton and then replace the old one
after they have received an zap
proved" sticker.
Other recommendations concerned
enactment of regulation making
persons engaged in driving instruc-
tlon subject to rigid examination
by the Traffic Department, estab-
nshment OF driving training classes
IN all of the high schools, creation
OF drivers training ground for all
applicants for drivers permits and
amending the impounding regula-
ton SO as to permit impounding by
police OF an automobile violating
any traffic regulation except over
time parking.
Parking Changes.
The following changes in parking
regulations were approved for the
Northwest section:
No parking at any time on Fes-
senden street on the north side from
Wisconsin avenue east to Forty
second street and on the south side
from Wisconsin avenue west to the
first alley.
No parking at any time on the
north side of Harvard street from
Thirteenth street to Georgia avenue.
No parking at any time on the
west side of Hertford street from
Ogden to Oak streets.
No parking at any time on S street
from Ninth street east on the north
side to the first alley and west on
the south side to the first alley.
The council also approved exten-
sion of the present one-way opera
ton on Thirteenth street between
4 and 6 pm. and to $50 am. to
Arkansas avenue. At present the
street is one way southbound In the
morning and one way northbound In
the afternoon between Logan Circle
and Kansas avenue.
HousehoIders Warned