Evening star., 1949-01-04
Board |ndorses
Driver Hearings
On Revelations
Traffic Advisory Unit
Backs 5-Point Plan
To Prevent Abuses

"A report on proposed procedures
designed to eliminate sources of
complaint in the suspension or rev.
ocation of drivers permits was
adopted last night by the Commits
Sioners Traffic Advisory Board as
"a statement of principle" pending
further action.
The report, which Incorporates
five major recommendations re-
suited from a joint meeting Thurs
day Of members of special board
committees studying the viewpoint
of Traffic Director George E. Ken
eipp on the present system of re-
view.
Mr.. Keneipp several times has
said that permits are suspended or
revoked without warning and that
offenders are not told of their right
to appeal. He has suggested that
the Board of Revocation and Res
toration of Operators Permits be
replaced by hearing officers, under
jurisdiction of his department, who
would give each offender a chance
to defend himself.
Discussion Slated.
Last nights report, read at a
meeting in Municipal Center, now
is slated for discussion with Cor
poration Counsel Vernon E. West,
Mr.. Keneipp and representative Of
the Revocation Board 1t then is
expected to be submitted to the
Commissioners
First recommendation stated that
before a person charged with a
traffic offense forfeits collateral, he
should be required to sign a printed
statement to be left with the pre-
cinct clerk Through the paper, he
would state he understands the for
feiture of collateral may further re-
suit in suspension or revocation Of
his permit Moreover he would un-
derstand that the statement would
be made available to the Revocation
Board.
The second recommendation called
for no permit being suspended or
revoked, except where this would
be mandatory, without prior hear
ing conducted by hearing officer
appointed by the Traffic Director.
Informed on Review.
Another recommendation stated
that at the time of an original
hearing on revocation or suspension,
the driver involved must be advised,
at the time, of his right to review.
The fourth proposal specified thas
no hearing officer originally sitting
in suspension or revocation pro-
tceeding should be permitted to par
ticipate in the review of a decision
made by him.
The last of the proposals called
for further discussion among
agencies involved so as to work out
a joint recommendation for the
Commissioner study.
In another action last night, the
Advisory Board approved four rec
concentrations aimed at an i'm
proved system of snow removal
which now go to the Commissioners.
Meanwhile, the board will study
further an additional recommended
| ton.
This report was based on a study
of snowstor1ns here over the past
so years as basis for determining
what to expect each winter. The
summary of equipment needs
showed that the District requires
total of 408 plows, sanders, bucket
leaders and other removal units,
but now has only 100. The addi-
tional 218 units needed would cost
S598,600, it was said.
Manpower Needs Estimated.
The findings stated that in order
to stay with storm of long dura-
ton until it was over and to man
the equipment that should be avail
able. the District should have on
hand not less than TOO equipment
operators and $500 laborers.
The recommendations on a long
range snoW-removal plan were as
follows:
That a lve-year appropriation
schedule for snow and ice control
work be established by Congress;
that the sum of $125,OOO per year
be appropriated for the average
yearly cost of'snow and ice removal
exclusive of equipment: that a five
year program of establishing ade-
quate equipment for snow and ice
removal be set up, and that 100000
be appropriated for new equipment
each year for five years.
In commenting on the report.
William A. Xanten, superintendent
of the City Refuse Division, said he
was in complete accord" with the
recommendations. but that one thing
was missing; the report made no
provision for enough men to run the
equipment.
Contract Work Proposed.
He said the only answer was to let
some OF the work out on contract.
He explained that his department
could not handle the situation en-
tlrely with the present number of
equipment operators in the District
Engineer Department.
| The question of letting out some
ollO"-I IcllIOVdl WOTk on a contract
basis is the further recommendation
slated for study by the Advisory
Board for later incorporation in the
report.
Inspector Arthur E. Miller, chief
OF the Police Traffic Division, dis
cussed the all-time low record of ST
traffic deaths here in the year Just
closed. He pointed out that 50 Of
the deaths were of pedestrians. He
emphasized that II of the deaths
involved persons over 10 years of age
and that was "a high percentage"
In discussing the Traffic Viola
tors school, Inspector Miller said
its record was not too bad" Almost
$500 persons have attended, with
2,143 referred by the Board of Re-
vocation and Restoration of Drivers
Permits; 200 by Traffic Court, 27
by the Permit Division of the Bu-
reau of Vehicles and Traffic and 10
by Juvenile Court.
New Lights Reported.
Deputy Traffic Director Wallace
L. Braun represented Mr.. Keneipp,
who could not attend, and told of