Evening star., 1943-10-29
Auto inspections
by
Keystone Club
DR.. Dickinson Says
Law Has Not Cut
Accident Rate

Opposition to automobile inspec-
tlonS In the District during the war
was reiterated by the advisory board
of the Keystone Automobile Club
last night after DR.. H. c. Dickinson
emphasized that the total accident
rate has not been lowered in the
Nation because of inspection regula-
tionS.
1T is utterly absurd to require an
automobile TO be inspected after
every 500 miles travelling" DR..
Dickinson said. AN engineering
analysis shows nothing has been
gained by inspections, except to SUBJ
ject car owners to irritation and in
convenience. have studied the situ-
alton and fail to see that inspection
has brought about improvement"
Secretary George E. Keneipp read
a letter fro mthe Commissioners in
which they stated they could not
waive the inspection law for the
duration, since it is an act of Con-
gress. Mr.. Keneipp took issue with
the Commissioners, saying he be-
lleved the language of the act gives
the Commissioners discretion in the
matter.
Parking Waiver Also Denied.
A request from the club that 9
am. TO pm. parking restrictions be
waived also was denied by the Com
mlssloners, Mr.. Keneipp reported to
the board, the District authorities
holding that removal of the daytime
parking ban would find many motor
lists parking all day in one spot and
interfering with the orderly flow Of
business IN the downtown area.
The board was advised that 30
traffic lights have been discontinued
at the Keystone Clubs request, in
view of a 80 per cent decrease in
the amount Of traffic here Eight
additional lights are TO be diScon-
announced.
After a brief discussion the board
withheld action on House Resolution
1907 providing for inspection and
registration of bicycles in the Dis
trict. The board opposed any in
/ NiSdspC at NIllS tlIltt III llit IuIi- lllP
staff of the Vehlcular and Traffic
Department in promoting safety
education.
Parking Lot Check Tabled.
A resolution requesting the Dis
trict OPA to check local parking lots
which have allegedly increased rates
over the highest level prevailing in
March, 1912. was tabled, the board
deciding that competition would take
care of this situat ton if it exists.
Plans for postwar highway con-
struction, with projects on the
board involving expenditure of from
s20000,000 to s25,00O,0 900. were out
lined by Capt. H. C. Whitehurst,
director Of District highways
Major projects, he said, include
bridge across the Potomac at
/ Fourteenth street, a new Anacostia
bridge, an underpass at Dupont
Circle, the Klingle road bridge
across Rock Greek, and the K street
elevated project.
We have not attempted to es-
tabllsh priorities, Capt. Whitehurst
stated in reply TO question, until
We know the final disposition of
access road funds which now are
/ intact"
Sees al Pattern Resumed.
| Director WhitehurSt said he be-
lleved that Washington automobile
trafflc, after the war. will resume
its 194l pattern, possibly accentu-
ateo by an increase in the number
/ OF highway and street users.
/ When it was pointed out that as
OF the 79 pedestrians killed here
last year were persons over As
years OF age. board members said
they knew no way in which old
people can be kept off the streets"
/ Reporting an increase in Key
stone Club membership, despite
decrease IN automobile use. j. Max
well Smith, Keystone president, at
trlbuted the growth the past wear
TO the fact that a majority of
motorists are infuriated by the man
ner in which they have been kicked
around by rationing."
Chairman T. Howard Duckett
presided. Other board members
are Edward c. Baltz, J. Randall
Cation. jr.; James E. Colliffower.
Brig. Gen. Albert L. Cox. Maj. F. M.
Dawson, DR.. H. c. Dickinson, Mark
Lansburgh, James B. Luttes, C. J.
Mack, L. Gardner Moore. Edgar
Morris, c. Melvin Sharpe, Fred A.
Smith, Arthur j. Sundlun, William
Ullman, the Rev. Charles T. War
ner, L. Perry West and DR.. Charles
Stanley White.