Evening star., 1947-04-22
New Numbering
System for Auto
Tags Approved
Five-Figure Limit
And Use Of Key
Letters Likely

SNtSsS SbNSby
The District probably will return
to flve-character limit and use of
key letters. In its motor vehicle
license tags next year.
This was indicated today as the
Commissioners received from their
Trafiic Advisory Board the unani-
nous Endorsement of q plan recon-
mended by Trafic Director George
e. Keneipp.
The board voted approval last
night at its monthly meeting in the
Municipal Center after hearing Mr..
Keneipp explain the proposed sys-
tenn. The matter was taken up out
side Of regular order when he ex-
planned Lorton Reformatory, which
would manufacture the tags, should
be notified promptly as to the deci-
sion for next year in order to begin
work.
Calls for Steel Tags.
These are the essentials of Mr.
Keneipp's plan:
/. Tags would be made Of steel,
would be by 10 inches in size and
would have chrome yellow charac-
ters on a black background.
2. They would carry the letters
ID. c." instead Of the present "Dis-
trict Of Columbia" and the use OF
such class-identifying words as
Diplomatic" Commercial" etc.
would be eliminated in favor of key
letters.
8. Passenger cars would be as
signed plain numerals through
5000. Thereafter, they would be
given tags bearing the letter e." or
q succeeding letter, plus up to four
digits.
I. The following key letters and
up to four digits would be used: "a
diplomatic: "B." buses; &C." COM
mercial; 3D." dealers; "H," hackers;
t." livery, including sightseeing
vehicles; m" motorcycles; r.
rental vehicles; "T," trailers.
Special ID. C. Government Tags.
In these groups, the key letter
would be moved to the right when
$3.50 was reached to make more
numbers available without increas-
ing the total -H001, for
example.
5. District Government vehicles
would be issued tags having blue
numerals on white background.
The District once used a FIVE
character-limit tag system. In re-
cent years, however, it has used UP
to six digits on passenger car tags
Mr.. Keneipp said he had been
obliged to differ with the boards
earlier recommendation that perma-
nent aluminium tags with annual
year-tab changes be used beginning
In 1948.
The Districts experience with tabs
had been unsatisfactory, durability
of painted aluminium tags had not
been tested adequately and no SUBJ
stantial saving would accrue from
use of permanent tags, he told the
advisory group. "a. s
Further, he said, year tabs were
lost or stolen easily and often were
attached improperly by vehicle
owners.
Compares Cost Of Tags.
As to cost, the traffic director
said the 10000 pairs of tags needed
for next year would cost $28,05C
In steel and 1850 in aluminium
Even though the latter might be
used on f1ve-year basis in con-
junction with tabs, the annual saw
Ing would be only $500, he said
This might be dissipated If the esti-
mate of new sets needed each year
after the permanent tags were issued
proved too low, Mr.. Keneipp added
Reflectorizing the aluminium tags
as has been suggested, would cost an
additional 20 cents per pair, he said
The new tag size. smaller than the
larger of two sizes now used
6 by 121a inches-would result in
minimum waste of the steel sheets
from which they were cut, he ex-
planned.
In voting approval of his recon-
mendation, the board stated it was
intended to apply only to 1913.
Mr.. Keneipp reported he had won
approval of the judges of Municipal
Court for his plan to reduce the
number of traffic signs in the Dis
trict and establish uniform types.
He said the judges had agreed
= three signs on each side of the street
in an average block would be ade-
quate notice to motorists of parking
regulations governing that block.
Standardized Colors.
Mr.. Keneipp said he proposed tc
use - by 18-inch sign with REQ
letters on a white background tc
indicate no parking at any time
and green on white for signs stating
times parking was permitted.
All signs would be feet from the
ground, and none would be attached
to trees. he said.
The Capital now has thousands OF
1ilegible, illegal and Illogical trafac
signs due for removal on a progres-
sive basis, Mr.. Keneipp declared.
The board voted to recommend
to the Commissioners expansion OF
traffic safety education programs in
schools here. 1t also decided to CO.
operate with the Board of Trade in
arranging suitable presentation
ceremony for the national traffic
safety awards won by Washington
for 1916.
Police Inspector Arthur E. Miller
In charge of traffic, reported the
District accident rate ran slightly
above the comparable period of last
year for the first quarter of 1947.
He said police made 349 arrest.
for hand-signal violations in March
Rites Today at Arlington