Evening star., 1941-11-14
Traffic Council
oConfer With
D. {. Heads
Public Funds to Be
Asked to Step-Up
Services in Problem


A special committee of the Trafic
Advisory Council, some Of whose
members threatened a walkout last
month in a row over charges that
the council was being ignored by
the District Commissioners, will
meet with the city heads soon for
thorough discussion of how the
agency can be of maximum aid to
the community
Among the proposals which the
committee will place before the
Commissioners is one calling for
ALLEGATION of public funds to support
the councils activities and provide
for employment Of a full-time ex-
ecutlve secretary to serve as liaison
between the Commissioners and the
council.
This action was voted by the coun-
Gil at a meeting last night as it
adopted by unanimous vote a re-
port outlining steps designed to make
the council a vital force in improv-
ing the traffic situation in the Dis
trict. The report provided for a full
discussion of its recommendations
with the Commissioners.
Arthur j. Sundlun, chairman Of
the special committee which made
the report, said It's adoption will
settle once and for all the value Of
the TRAFFIC Advisory Council to the
public, the Commissioners and to
the traffic director"
Makes Suggestion on Budget.
The report also suggested the
council chairman and executive sec
retary should have membership on
the Trafflc Coordinating Committee.
The councils budget, the report rec
commended, could consist Of the pres
ent $500 appropriation for traffic
safety education, plus whatever ad-
oltlonal funds are needed for the
executive secretary and other en-
ployes.
The council said the Commission
ers can make best use Of the agency
as advisers in preparing plans and
budgets on traffic matters, to help
} plan for dealing effectively with
trafflc problems: to aid in finding
sound factual bases for policies; by
using the council as liaison with ths
groups in which members are lead
ers: through encouraging the coun-
ellis support Of the Commissioners
recommendations: by having the
council review and report on traf-
flc projects and by having the
agency promote continuing pro-
gram of traffic safety education.
With a full-time executive secre-
tary. the council said it could aid
the city heads by promoting devel-
opment of longtime trafic plans;
providing an annual factual review
of the traffic problem: by making
studies of surveys by nationally
known organizations; by studying
and reporting on miscellaneous
traffic suggestions and by empha-
sizing the need for an adequate
public safety education staff.
Educational Fund Suggested.
In separate report submitted
by the Safety Committee, which will
be embodied in the Sundlun COM
mittee report, the council suggested
that $4,000 be allocated from cur
rent highway funds for use during
this fiscal year to expand the edu-
cational programs.
The group also took steps last
night to direct the attention of
civilian defense officials to the need
for a program Of handling trafic
control under AFRAID conditions.
Pointing out that the city has no
equipment for backing out lighting
and has not planned safety regula-
tions for traffic under AFRAID con-
ditions, the council urged prompt
action in obtaining the equipment
needed.
1t suggested further that the
Commissioners appoint to the Dis
trict Defense Council q qualified
member of the council as District
chairman in traffic problems. giving
him authority to appoint his own
aides.
Collateral Change Review Asked.
Harry S. Wender. chairman of the
Legislative and Enforcement Com
mittee. told the council that the
Commissioners recent order provld-
ing heavier penalties for traffic vio-
lations was resulting in many po.
licemen being tied up in Police
Court. Because the collateral now
required for certain charges is so
high, many motorists are appearing
in court and the officers must be
. there to handle the cases, he said.
Mr.. Wender recommended a re-
view of the changes in collateral
charges, but the council took no ac-
ton on the proposal. The Legisla-
tive and Enforcement Committee
plans to make a study Of the new
program Of penalties.
The council at the suggestion of
Mr.. Wender. reiterated previous
recommendation that the accident
: prevention unit be given additional
personnel, and that the present per-
sonnel be retained.
A long list of recommendations
from the Committee on Parking and
:. Expediting Traffic was approved.
One proposal recommended that the
Commissioners provide suitable OFF,
! street parking spaces for impounded
cars. and give consideration 10 the
possible use OF privately -owned
! parking lot facilities for impounded
! cars.