Evening star., 1953-08-09
Sitter Curbs
AreDrafted on
School Buses
Communities Nap
Closer Controls on
Private Vehicles
By Hermon F. Schoden

OmclalS CooK steps last night
toward the tightening of regu-
lations for operation of school
and camp buses.
Criticism of weaknesses in the
laws OF the District, Maryland
and Virginia brought promises
from Government officials of in
vestigations to- determine the
need for more rigid inspections
and special driving permits for
privately operated vehicles.
Fresh in their minds was the
recent death of an 8-year-old
boy, and injury to nine other
children in the crack-up of
make-shift bus in Montgomery
County.
Owned by day camp, the
converted panel truck was driven
by 17-year-old youth, although
State law sets 18 as the minimum
age for operating a common car
rier such as a school bus.
Dehnlte PlanS Drafted.
Definite plans for action were
begun in the District, Montgom-
cry County, Arlington County
and Alexandria.
In the District, Traffic Director
George E. Keneipp said he saw
the need for regulations cover
ing vehicles and drivers of school
buses, now neglected in the Dis
trict code.
He is passing along to the
Traffic Advisory Board some
basic points for study by that
body's laws and regulations COM
mittee.
Arthur j. Sundlan, board
chairman, said the body would
certainly study the proposals
with the object of safeguarding
the lives of our youngsters"
Must Determine Total.
Mr. Keneipp said he had no
Idea how many station wagons
or other vehicles not identified
properly as school buses, were
operating in the District, but
said that would be something for
the investigation to bring out.
There certainly seems to be
room for regulations causing all
types of school buses to be clear
ly distinguished, and for oper-
ators to have special examina-
tions and permits Mr.. Keneipp
said.
AS an ex-off1cio member of the
advisory board, made up of
civic volunteers, Mr.. Keneipp
said he personally would favor
q well-defined ordinance
The advisory board is expected
TO take up the question at its
meeting next month. -.
Montgomery Session Called. i
Montgomery County, hotbed
Of controversy since the fatal
accident, is moving toward reme-
dial action.
Edward B. Landry, chairman
Of the Montgomery County
Safety Board, said a special
meeting of the executive commit
tee will be called to study all
phases of the matter.
Established by the Board of
Commissioners, the safety board
functions Independently and can
inaugurate any action it sees fit.
One member of the executive
committee, Washington l. Cleve-
land, who also is secretary of the
District American Automobile
Association, is renewing a fight
for state inspection of all Mary
land motor vehicles.
He has the support of Arthur
E. Miller. Montgomery public
safety director. Both believe that
proper inspection, including GER
tiflcation of the driver, would
have avoided the recent bus
tragedy.
Mr.. Cleveland was critical of
the Maryland Legislatures fail
ure last session to pass one of
two inspection laws introduced.
Appeals to McKeIdin.
He also recalled that last
month a delegation called on
Gov. McKeldin, asking imple-
mentation of a "permissive" in
spection law now on the books.
This gives the Commissioner of
Motor Vehicles permission to set
up inspection stations, such as
were once in use, but were suS-
pended during World War II.
Maryland State law calls for
annual inspection of all school
buses. Mr. Cleveland believes
there should be a record to show
how general and effective these
inspections are.
officials of some private
schools in the area are conf
dent their bus equipment meas
ures up in every way with that
of public schools. Such schools
as Honeywell, Landon and Long
fellow in Montgomery County
make that assertion.
Honeywell Cites Inspections.
Honeywell officials. for in
stance. say they are carefully
inspected each autumn by an
inspector for the Department
of Motor Vehicles. Their buses
are painted yellow, carry stop
signs and are protected by
100000 liability insurance.
But some safety officials are
concerned more about many
schools they contend use ILL
marked equipment. some driven
by mothers and others by drivers
without special examinations.
The Congressional Schools of
Arlington and Alexandria sug-
gested a number of regulations
for school buses in an open letter
to the Arlington County Board
and the Mayor and City Council
Of Alexandria.