Evening star., 1941-10-06
7 7A.M.-fo.7 pm. Ban
On Parking Proposed
For Selected Streets
Commissioners Also
Act to Prohibit All
Double Parking
Continued From First Page

Mr.. DlrKSen COlQ JIle COHlHllIlte
he thought the present traffic situa-
,-tion in Washington "ghastly'' and
she felt that immediate action should
asbe taken.
: Il hope he said, that you don't
slet this matter bog down in long
subcommittee hearings. The influx
@of defense workers has so congested
Etraffic that you take your life in
ayour hands every time you go about
@the streets
:. Mr.. Dirksen suggested that per-
shaps two traffic experts from big
scities be brought in at once for a
shurried survey of the hazards
%and difficulties confronting District
%traffic.
& Death of Children Cited.
: "If anyone wants figures on the
seriousness of the situation" he
s added, he need look only at the
= traffic deaths of 3-year-old children,
even 1-year-old babies. 1t is fright
..ful."
: Corporation Counsel Richmond B..
gKeech pointed out that the Com
~missioners had directed an eXhaus-
tive study of traffic and recon-
amended a S40000,0O0 program to
correct defects and improve condl-
tions.
But that is seven-year pro-
gram" Mr.. Dirksen objected. I'VE
have a situation which must be
met at once"
Mr. Keech said anything the COM
Z fnittee might do at this time would
be "piecemeal,' whereas the careful
survey which the District govern
ment had made under the direction
of Highway Director H. c. White
Z hurst had resulted in recommended
tions for major changes in the
traffic situation, which would be
more permanent.
Bus Traffic Suggestion.
Mr.. DirkSen suggested, for one
thing, that bus traffic be "canalized. "
At present, he said, buses operated
on the theory that they must take
= government workers to the doors of
lIlPlT uepdI lIIleHJS.
1T won't hurt them to walk two
= or three blocks" he added.
We've got to take whatever are
available and do something. Traffic
must flow through. The great load
of buses at the rush hours is a
serious detriment."
Mr.. Keech pointed to the pending
off-street parking bill, recommended
by the Commissioners, as one meas
ure of relief resulting from the two
year traffic study. This legislation
he contended, vas intended to deal
over a long period with major de-
fects in traffic hazards and bottle
necks.
Mr.. Dirksen retorted that the bill
dealth with only one phase of the
problem-parking. He added that
the bill involved condemning prop
: erty for off-street parking facilities
: and this was avery involved pto-
ceeding, which probably would take
a year or more to put into effect.
: Objects to Outside Experts.
2 Mr.. Keech also 'objected to bring
ing in outside experts, on the ground
that they would not be familiar with
local conditions and it would take
them some time to recommend any,
thing, of value. Mr.. Dirksen, how
ever, insisted that such a survey
would be the quickest way to deal
with the more pressing problems.
The District Committee again
failed to take action on the bill
modernizing the Districts fire reg
ulations. Several witnesses, includ-
ing George w. Booth, chief engineer
of the National Board of Fire
Underwriters, discussed technical
phases of the safety measures pro-
vided in the bill. Action was de-
ferred until another meeting.
The Commissioners decision for
action today was reached in an all
morning session, during which the
Commissioners called in Mr.. Van
P Duzer and Highway Director H. G.
, Whitehurst. Washington 1. Cleve-
land, manager of the District Motor
Club of the American Automobile
Association, presented the recon-
dations of his organization and took
part in the discussion.
More Meetings Planned.
After the conference broke up
Commissioner John Russell Young
told reporters the Commissioners
expected to have more traffic con-
ferences from day to day in an
effort to clean up the traffic condi-
ton.
We're going to hear everybody
that has got something to say" Com
missioner Guy Mason added.
Responsibility for remedying the
traffic situation belongs to the Com
missioners, Mr.. Young said, adding
| that they were not looking for any
i "goat."
The city heads are awaiting House
action on bill to increase the gas
tax to begin work as soon as possible
) on additional underpasses as recon-
{ mended in the Whitehurst report
notably at Dupont Circle.
The proposed regulation to bar
parking on the arterial highway
from 7 am to 7 pm. and to elm
mate all double parking will b.
submitted for comment to various
civic organizations interested ir
traffic.
To afford some relief to parker'
the Commissioners said they planned
to ask the National Capital Parl
and Planning Commission if park
ing restrictions in the Mall coult
be relaxed.
Some concessions to vehicles un
loading on these arterial highway
will be made, 1t was indicated, pos
sibly between 9 a. m. and 430 pm.
Commissioner Mason added tina
1t was the intent of the plan to carr.
the prohibition beyond the down
town areas of these selected
thoroughfares to keep the traff1
moving even after it left the par
ticularly congested sections.
AIl-Inclusive Ban.
Double parking is now generall
prohibited except for trucks deliver
i.