Evening star., 1941-03-17
House UnitAims
To Ban PARKING
Downtown Here
Schultz AssoiIs
Meters and Asks
OH-Street Plan
BY JAMES z. CHINN.

Inc House District Committee was
told today that its Streets and
TRAFFIC Subcommittee is seeking to
develop plan looking toward aboli-
ton OF automobile parking through
out the downtown business section.
The disclosure was made by Rep
resentative Schultz, Democrat, Of
Indiana, chairman of the subcom-
mittee, who vigorously denounced
use of parking meters and advocated
off-street parking facilities for the
congeSted area.
I'VE want to make Washington a
metropolitan city and get away from
the horse-and-buggy days." he de-
clared. I'VE want to eliminate all
downtown parking as frst-class
cities have done"
announcement by Mr. Schultz that
his subcommittee had decided to
submit an unfavorable report on a
bill authorizing the Commissioners
to add to the number of parking
meters already in operation started
a wrangle over the parking situation.
Urges Public Hearing.
Harry S. Wender, vice president
of the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations, urged that the Streets and
Traffic Subcommittee hold a public
hearing on the bill before submitting
its report to the full committee. He
predicted the committee room would
be Jammed with witnesses who
favor the use of parking meters.
Mr.. Schultz insisted that a hear
ing was held last week, and said the
only witness was Richmond B.
Keech, corporation counsel, who re-
ported that the Commissioners
favored the proposed legislation.
Mr.. Wender added that the Com
missioners recommended the bill
after a public hearing last year in
the District Building at which no
opposition had been registered to
extension of the use of parking
meters.
Mr.. Schultz declined to call
another meeting of the subcommit-
tee to consider the parking meter
bill, but said any statements the
public cared to make on the pro-
posed legislation would be included
IN the record for the members to
consider before report is filed with
the full committee.
"Hcwling Success" He SAYS.
I'm for parking meters" declared
Representative Russell, Democrat. of
Texas. They have been a bowling
success. When you park in a space
In front OF meter who can be as.
sured on YOUR return that a fender
hasn't been taken OFF,"
He told the committee that Satur-
day he sought in vain for a parking
space in a section where meters are
not In use and finally had to park
his car on a privately owned lot.
when I came out of a movie
show I had to pay 40 cents to get nv
car back" he declared. That was
more than it cost me to get into the
theater."
Parking meters are swell for a
small town." said Mr.. Schultz. But
here In Washington when you park
70 see movie show you have to
run out OF the theater when the
hour is up, just about the time the
heroine is being saved"
What we need here" interpolated
Representative Heber, pemocrat of
LOUISIANA, is parking lots where the
rates are reasonable"
Called Triple Burden.
Corporation Counsel Keech ern-
phasized that the Commissioners
are strongly" in favor of more
parking meters.
Have the Commissioners ever
made an attempt to get off street
parking facilities?" asked Mr..
Schultz.
Mr.. Keech said the Commissioners
are making thorough study OF all
phases OF the traffic situation.
Mr.. Wender informed the com.
mittee that he was one of ths
original opponents of parking
meters, but favors them now. since
their experimental use in Wash.
ington had assured motorists of =
place to park in the congested area.
He also declared the revenue from
the meters is substantial" and that
1t could be used if more of them are
placed in operation to provide off,
street parking facilities.
Mr.. Schultz argued that the
meters constituted a triple tax by
the District on automobile owners.
He said motorist has to purchase
license tags. pay personal property
tax on the car and now is charged
for parking on the public streets.
New Liability Favored.
Two bills were favorably reported
by the committee and ordered placed
on the House calendar in time for
consideration next Monday, the sec.
ond District day Of the month.
One would require motorists found
guilty Of reckless driving to carry
liability insurance. Existing law ap-
plies only to those found guilty of
driving while drunk and leaving after
colliding.
The other would authorize the
Federal Government to furnish
steam from the central heating plant
to all municipal buildings at "rea-
sonable rates, not less than cost"
No consideration was given q bill
to create a commission to fix and
control rentals here. Chairman
Randolph, its sponsor, said he would
issue a statement with respect to
the proposed legislation later today
or tomorrow.
It had been Representative Ran.
dolph's intention to refer the bin
to the newly created subcommittee
on national defense of which he also
is chairman. Mr.. Wender urged
that no public hearings be held until
after the federation considers it at
a meeting April S.