Evening star., 1948-02-08
Federation Asks
Single Traffic
Judge, Alternate
Citizens Associations
Group Urges Bill to
End Rototion System

Ind kototion System
The Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations last night urged legislation
providing for appointment of q
single traffic judge in Municipal
Court with a specific alternate to
aid or relieve him as conditions
require.
1t adopted a report of lis Safety
Highways and Waterways Commit
tee, headed by Baxter Smith, which
declared that under the present sys-
tenn of rotating judges in Traffic
Court lit is impossible for any judge
to become fully acquainted with the
traffic laws"
1.-THE difference in procedure, in
severity of penalty, in disposition OF
cases caused by rotation OF judges
results in the judiciary discouraging
rather than encouraging as it
should, efficient, sincere enforce
ment on the part of the police,
declared the report.
Asks Barney Circle Studies.
The Federation, meeting at the
District Building, adopted another
recommendation of Mr.. Smiths
committee that the Commissioners
be asked to defer costly construction
changes at Barney Circle until long
range studies have been made
These include the effects on Barney
Circle traffic of the projected South
Capitol and Massachusetts, avenue
bridges across the Anacostia River,
as well as the Eleventh street bridge,
when the new bridges are completed
Mr.. Smith said all plans put for
ward up to now have been based
solely on traffic counts at Barney
Circle. He said origin and destina-
ton surveys for traffic are needed.
The city heads were urged by the
Federation to give immediate par
tial relief at Barney Circle by bus
rerouting, restricting traffic to one
way streets and changes in traffic
light timing and location.
A northern crosstown bus route
was urged by the Federation which
would use Military road, Missouri
avenue and the Taylor street bridge.
1t also reiterated its opposition to a
fixed limit on the number of Wash
ington taxicabs.
Secretary Defends Tamm.
Among the resolutions carried was
one by John L. c. Sullivan, reiter-
ating the Federation's stand that
appointments to the judiciary here
should be made from among District
residents who are members of the
District bar. He called the Fedora
tion's attention ITO the recent nomi-
nation by President Truman Of
Edward Allen Tamm, assistant to the
director of the Federal Bureau of
Investigation, to be District Court
justice. 10 D.:
Ernest Henry urged that Mr.:
Tamms nomination be opposed on
the ground he is not qualified and
is not a. member of the District bar
But the Federation's veteran secre-
tary, David Rabp, was on his feet
with the statement that I'VE have
no right to say Mr.. Tamm Is not
qualified" Mr.. Babp said he has
known Mr.. Tamm for a number Of
years and "he is one of the finest
gentlemen I have ever met" The
secretary said there is nothing in
the laws that would prevent Mr.,
Tamm from being appointed.
The Federation also:
Reaffirmed it's action in asking the
Board of Education to give school
teachers 10 days annual sick leave
with pay, which could be accumu-
lated up to 30 days.
Backs Daylight Time Bill.
Approved legislation for perma-
nent daylight saving time.
Urged the Commissioners to re-
quire all package liquor stores to
close on legal holidays.
Voted to give the Washington Gas
Light Co. time to study complaints
by consumers regarding variation in
gas, pilots going out due to gummy
deposits, and heating of ovens in an
unsatisfactory manner since nautral
gas was installed.
Recommitted to its Public Utilities
Committee a report that there
should be no restoration of the
Bureau of Engraving streetcar on
the Brookland line, and sent back
to that committee a proposal to ex-
tend the E-2 busline at Twenty
second and Monroe streets NE. to
Rhode Island avenue.
The federation heard its former
president. Wilbur S. Finch, declare
that the Auchincloss home rule
hearings show the committee is CIV
ing "a vast amount of their time,
energy and talent to the people of
the District of Columbia in an effort
to solve this problem" He declared
never in his experience has there
been such a feeling of confidence
and work on the part of bipartisan
committee and IAN honest effort to
do something for U.S." He said I'VE
should be grateful to them for what
they are trying to do for us"