Evening star., 1941-05-04
Federation Asks
Ambulance in
Each Precinct
400 Fire Alarm
Boxes Also Urged
AT Citizens Meeting

Assignment of an ambulance to
each police precinct to patrol the
area and supplement the work of
scout cars was voted last night by
the Federation of Citizens Associa-
tions.
Action followed a statement by
Culver B. Chamberlain of Cathedral
Heights-Cleveland Park Association
that there is an alarming short
age of ambulances" in the District.
1t was indicated the ambulances
would be cruising about the precinct
areas and would be quickly able to
reach the scene of accidents. The
project was said to be under con-
sideration by the District Defense
Council.
The delegates also voted for the
installation of 400 fire alarm boxes
in the city to keep pace with the
rapid growth of the Capital.
They voted support of an amended
bill to create an industrial accl-
dent prevention board for the Dis
trict after Delegate Fred Walker OF
Park View Association reported rs
industrial deaths in the city last
year-three less than the number
of traffic victims. The amendments
were suggested by the Safety Com
mittee, headed by Baxter Smith Of
North Capitol Association, which
reported definite need" for an
adequate industrial safety law.
Headquarters Report.
Most of the organization busi-
ness was rushed throug in the last
hour as the delegates spent the
better part of the session debating
a report of a special committee on
permanent headquarters for the
federation. They ended by recon-
mitting the report to committee with
request for a definite financial pro-
gram.
Controversial items in the report
were the estimate of $500 year
which the committee estimated the
Office would cost, and the suggestion
that the federation solicit contri-
buttons as method of paying for it.
"I don't believe you can do it for
$4,000" Delegate Jesse Suter of the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants
told, Committee Chairman Wilbur
Finch-iof Burroughs. And further
more, I don't like the idea of the
federation passing around the hat
"Panhandling, I'd call it," OBJ
served Delegate Walker.
rnroriffeo UaS an
pointed to report on the recent
highway survey by Highway Director
II. @. Whitehurst calling for long
range plan to be financed by raise
In the gasoline tax. A special
meeting L-ef The Federation was
called for May II to hear the report
and TO act on two proposed bills
dealing with recreation in the
District.
Van Duzer Speaks.
Traffic Director William Van Du-
Ger spoke briefly to the delegates
and displayed the plaque recently
presented the District for its safety
record last year. Although this
record looks bad when compared
with last year, he said, recent check
shows only Boston among cities
of similar size has better record.
There appear to be more traffic IA
talities all over the country this
year, he observed.
Harry. S. Wender, presiding in the
absence of President Harry N. Stull,
who was called out of town by the
death of his father, introduced Mr..
Van Duzer as the most damned"
man in the District, but 'undoubt-
edly one of the best traffic engineers
In America"
Continuing previously voted sup
port of the housing program of the
District Defense Council, the Fed
Grafton approved the sending OF a
letter to each neighborhood asso-
citation asking that the association
appoint a housing committee
and canvass the area for room
accommodations. L. A. Carruthers
of Forest Hills emphasized the cam
vassing was not shopping prof.
ect
Other action included approval of
an investigation of fire insurance
with view to lower rates: urging
the Commissioners to consider one
way streets before going into ex-
pensive street widening; reiterat-
ing favor of intoXication tests for
drivers in accidents; reiterating
support of extension of parking
meters provided they are strength
ened and that collections be made
daily; support Of two-hour parking
In West End reiterating request for
100 additional policemen; urging
Commissioners to examine police
duties to see if any non-police work
Is being done which would detract
from the necessary police work;
urging clearing southbound streets
earlier by changing parking regula-
tions in view of staggered hours. for
Government workers: reiterating ac-
ton fayoring municipal parking lots.