Evening star., 1947-05-20
'keneipp 10 Seek
on Slash
IN Stop Signs
Citizens Apparently
Won't Them Kept in
Their Neighborhoods

Won't Them Kept in
Their Neighborhoods
Trafhc Director George E. Keneipp
feels his program for the reduction
OF the number OF stop signs In
Washington may be baked by
neighborhood devotion to individual
markers.
In an attempt to gauge public re-
action In advance OF the Commis-
sioners' hearing, June is, on cer-
tain proposed sign removals, he has
scheduled meetings with representa-
tiveS Of the Federation Of Citizens
Associations and the Federation of
Civic Associations.
Further, he has placed his en-.
gtneering staff at the disposal of all
organizations interested In learn
ing the reasons for recommending
abolition OF any specific signs.
Informal Support Reported.
Il think am recommending
something that the people want"
Mr.. Keneipp said OF his program
last night in reporting to the Com
missioners' Traffic Advisory Board.
But 1t may not be what they want,
and, II that Is SO, I don't want IT.
The traffice director said he had
received informal expressions from
= number Of persons on the plan to
eliminate many stop signs. "and they
all like the progran-except as It
affects their intersection.
He called on M. o. Eldridge, for
mer assistant director Of trafic and
. member, of the board. to recall the
history Of stop sign installations.
Many Of these signs are nothing
but political signs" Mr.. Eldridge de-
clared. 'They we're installed be-
cause some prominent person asked
for them"
Senatorial Pressure Used.
The longtime traffic official, who
once was director, said the first
trafflc signal in the District-at
Eighteenth street and New Hamp-
shire avenue N.W.-was installed be-
cause a Senator stated he would
block funds for the department un-
less the light were placed there.
Mr.. Eldridge said he had to admit
that was perfect Justification" for
a light.
Mr.. Keneipp said he hoped for .
large representation at the public
hearing or signs in No. s and No. 8
precincts to determine definitely the
popularity Of his project.
Discussing the city's parking prob
lem, he told the board he favors
modifying area parking restrictions
to make more space available In
blocks which are Aaown by engineer
ing, studies not to need rush-hour
bafls.
The board voted to recommend
to the Commissioners that parking
be- allowed during morning and eve
ming rush period on r street. NV.
between Fourteenth arid Fifteenth
streets; G place IN. w. between
Ninth and Tenth streets and Eighth
street NV. between g and K streets.
e Street Affected.
1t also voted to ask that rush
hour bans be eliminated on both
sides of E street NV. between Thir-
teenth street and Pennsylvania
avenue in the morning and on the
south side only in the afternoon.
The recommendations represent
proposals of Mr.. Keneipp with minor
notifications. Deputy Director WAL
lace L. Braun pointed out the pro-
posed change on F street merely
would legalize signs already posted
there.
The board was informed the Inter-
Industry Safety Committee plans to
confer promptly with School Supt.
Hobart M. Corning concerning prac-
ticability Of establishing driver In
structien courses in all senior high
schools.
The committee, composed Of local
automobile, petroleum and tire
dealers, has offered to provide dual
control automobiles If the courses
are established, and the American
Automobile Association has offered
to train instructors, it was explained.
10 Cars Held Sufficient.
The cars would be loaned and
maintained by members Of the
Washington Automotive Trade Asso-
citation. 1t was estimated 10 would
be suflcient to provide the training
In all public and parochial senior
high schools.
Mr.. Keneipp's report to the board
included an announcement traffic
signal lights would be turned on to-
day at Bladensburg and Mount
Olivet roads NE. He said 10 other
intersections now need lights.
Amputees who had sought spe-
cial parking privileges in the down.
town area have decided not to press
for legislation, pending a test of the
adequacy Of space offered on private
parking lots and in Government
employe parking areas, Mr.. Keneipp
told the board.
Tag Recommendation Stands.
The advisory group voted TO stand
by its recommendation on yellow
and black license tags for next year
after hearing Mr.. Keneipp explain-
ing disadvantages Of a red-white-
blue scheme
Police Inspector Arthur E. Miller.
In charge of traffic, said drinking
was a factor In IA Of 30 fatal acci-
dents so far this year, a higher in
cidence than usual
1t was announced the Board OF
Trade would be host to traffic Of
ficials and others at a luncheon,
June 10, to celebrate the Districts
1916 traffic safety award.
Senate Unit 10 Complete
eel u~..s.~ In~nvvn,u