Evening star., 1951-12-29

slippery as to become hazardous.
The District plan forbids general
use Of these streets by passenger
automobiles unless they are
equipped with skid chains or snow
tread tires.
The Federal Personnel Councils
recommendation was made public
yesterday as park police an
nounced no new restrictions would
be placed on roads under their
supervision.
But, said the National Capital
Parks Office. woe to the reckless
driver who causes traffic con-
gestion or accidents on icy streets.
Arrests and penalties await him.
Suburban Plans Awaited.
Traffic Director George E.
Keneipp, who will have RESPONSE
bility for declaring a snowstorm
emergency and thus putting the
regulations into effect, waited to-
hear from suburban communities
on how they will coordinate plans
with the District.
officials of the surrounding
cities and counties of Virginia
and Maryland assured Mr.. Keneipp
Thursday that they will CO.
operate in the program, though
they foresaw difficulties.
Mr.. Keneipp and his associates
also had yet to determine what
could be done about towing stalled
vehicles from the SIS streets toI
be kept open throughout emer-
gencies.
The Federal Personnel Council
plan was approved about as re-
quested last week. The policy
contains these provisions:
Six-Point Policy.
/. No early dismissals of Fed
eral employees because of winter
traffic conditions in the Washing
ton area except under the other
provisions of this policy.
2. Early dismissals would be
contingent upon the ruling of Mr..
Keneipp's Office. The decision will
be based upon a finding that
street and highway conditions are
or will be such that early stag
gered dismissals would reduce the
possibility of serious and hazard
GUS traffic congestion.
3. If the traffice director pro-
poses early dismissals he will
notify the Federal Personnel
Council and indicate the specific
time in advance of regular closing
hours to be followed.
4. BY telephone. the Federal
Personnel Council staff will in
form personnel directors of each
department and agency of the
decision as early as possible. FL
the decision calls for early dis
missal, each department or agency
would dismiss without charge to
annual leave as many Of its en-
ployes as practicable for the speci-
fed period before the agency'sI
normal closing time.
Telephoning Discouraged.
5. Hazardous weather conditions
existing or developing before an
employees regular working hours
should not ordinarily be the basis
for absence from work, but it is
recommended that departments
or agencies excuse tardiness
genuinely occasioned by such
weather.
6. In view Of the automatic
features of this policy and in or
der to avoid congestion on tele-
phone lines and waste Of man
power, it is urged: (a) That
employees refrain from calling for
information or from making per-
sonal arrangements before dis
missals are announced, and (b)
that departments and agencies
avoid calls to transit lines or to
District or Federal agencies in
volved.
The council expressed belief the
policy would result in fewer dis
missals, rather than more.
The National Capital Parks
Office said park police would try
to keep roads open and channel
traffic off congested streets.
Assistant Supt. Frank T. Cart
side said eyery effort will be made
to move traffic as rapidly as pos.
sible through the parks, which
really serve as a funnel for north
!