Evening star., 1941-04-20
Federation Approves
Committee 10 Report
Traffic Violations
Urges Naming Of 500
Citizens to Take Part
In Educational Drive

Establishment of 500-man traf-
fic education committee to notify
District regulation violators of their
observed violations was approved
last night by the Federation of Cit
izens Associations.
The plan was the Identical one
approved last February by the Traf-
fic Advisory Council. 1t calls for
appointment Of the members by
the Commissioners The members
would be identified by tag on their
car and would report to the secre-
tary of the committee by post
card the license numbers of persons
violating any of about a dozen Sc
lected regulations Violators would
then be sent a letter by the direc-
tor of the Department of Vehicles
and Traffic notifying them of the
violation.
1t was emphasized that the plan,
was educational only and that
none of the material would be used
by police or traffic officials for puni-
tive purposes.
McCarran Urged to Take Post.
Other action by the delegates in
cluded urging Senator McCarran to
accept the Craftsmanship of the Sen
ate District Committee which is ex-
pected TO be given up by Chairman
Reynolds to assume the chair of the
Military Affairs Committee. The
resolution also called for assignment
of two District men to be eXecu-
tive clerk and assistant clerk of
the committee after Harry S. Wen
der quoted Senator McCarran as
saying he would not accept the
Craftsmanship unless the additional
clerical help was provided.
A plan for exchanging reports and
resolutions with the Federation of
Civic Associations on projects of
city-wide nature of interest to
both groups was approved. 1t also
established liaison committee
headed by the presidents of the two
organizations to push projects ap-
proved Dy DOtn groups.
A special five-man committee was
named by President Harry N. Stull
to investigate the cost and possible
location of permanent central
headquarters for the Federation
The committee, headed by Wilbur
S. Finch, is to report at. the May
meeting.
The delegates reiterated their sup
port of plan for photographs on
automobile licenses. asked that
w. P A writer's, music and art
projects be continued in the Dis
trict, and that standards for aid
for dependent children in the Dis
trict relief program be made to
coincide with those in the Fed
eral social security program.
Safety Chairman Baxter Smith
told the delegates the organization
of the proposed citizens traffic edu-
cation committee would be a decid-
ing factor in helping to reduce traf-
f1c violations in the District" He
added that the provisions governing
the activities of the committee meet
objections against establishment of
'vigilante committee"
Need for More Police Seen.
Delegate Smith said reports
turned in by a committee as pro-
posed would prove without any
doubt the need for an increase in
personnel" in the District police
force.
Mr.. ,Wender. speaking in support
of the measure, emphasized that
1t was not an effort to set up
vigilantes.
I'm sick and tired of seeing it
implied that these people would
be spies" he said. TITS an educa-
tional program pure and simple"
Wilbur S. Finch of Burroughs As
sociation said he favored the bill
as long as it did not provide a group
hiding behind the cloak of anonym-
ity.' and L. A. Carruthers of
Forest Hills said he wished the COM
mittee could l,ave 5000 instead of 500
members because the members,
identified by tags on their cars,
would be compelled to observe the
regulations.
Opposition to the proposal came
from George L. Corbin of Manor
Park, who branded it as "snooping'
and urged waiting until member
bodies OF the federation have acted |
on the plan. Milo Brinkley of |
Georgetown also expressed the |
opinion that violations OF too trivial
a nature would be reported.
Mr. Finch, reporting on the recent
suffrage hearings. told the delegates
ne was convinced something worth
while viii come from the hearings.
hs described them a. the finest the
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