Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-01-08
IkeneiippSays
Parking Blast.
is mot Clear
Not Sure What Bans
On Curs McMiIlun
Believes Oppressive
By Som Eostmon

~ Sotu @9StutoH
Traffic Director George E.
Keneipp said today he is not
clear as to what parking restric-
tions are so "unduly oppressive
as to warrant an investigation
by the House District Commit
tee.
This comment followed Repre-
sentative McMillan's announce
ment yesterday that he plans
| to investigate downtown park
ing restrictions. along with two
other traffic situations. He re-
vealed his plans after announc-
ing he would accept the chair
manship Of the committee.
The statement by Mr.. McMil-
Ian, Democrat, of South Caro-
lima, that he will look into
ticketing Of congressional and
diplomatic autos drew a different
reaction from Police Chief
Robert v. Murray, however.
Chief Murray declared that
anything the committee "can do
to improve our traffic situation
would be welcome"
Too Many Restrictions.
In his statement yesterday.
Mr.. Mcmillan said that in the
downtown section there is such
congestion and so many restric-
lions on parking that members
of Congress cannot carry out
| official business with the execu-
tive department by auto.
He added that there is a lack
of parking spaces for the general
public. also.
To this. Mr.. Keneipp re-
sponded:
cit is not clear to me just
what Mr.. Mcmillan has in mind
just what parking restrictions
he considers to be uiduly
oppressive.
I'm accordance with the law,
the District has provided ade-
quate parking spaces for Con-
gressmen adjacent to all public
buildings"
Adding that he would be glad
to discuss the matter with Mr..
Mcmillan, he said:
Generally speaking. we fol-
low the practice Of permitting
parking anywhere it does not
interfere with the expeditions
movement Of traffic and with
service to abutting property"
Cites Increased Traffic.
AS to the complaint of con-
gestion, the traffic director
pointed out that the District
now has 66 per cent more traffic
than it had in 1941--the pre-
war peak. He said:
1T don't quite know what to
do about that-how to make
people stop driving their auto
mobiles"
Another situation Mr.. McMil-
Ian plans to look into is certain
restrictions on the use Of auto
lanes at Union Station.
AS to the phase of the pro-
posed inquiry that touches the
police department, he said he
has received complaints of
"promiscuous" ticketing of both
diplomatic and congressional
cars.
He said the tickets were hand
ed out in some cases for appar-
emily unjustif1ed reasons. Mr..
Mcmillan added that, of course.
the police department has the
right to hand out a ticket when
a car is parked in front of a
fireplug or Is in other emer-
gency zones.
Traffic officials noted that the
giving of ticket to a Congress-
man or a diplomat usually is
an academic gesture. Both are
immune TIC prosecution.
Is for the Record.
The issuing of tickets that
automatically are adjusted is "for
the records and because John @.
Public would want to know why
be got a ticket and that other
car didn't" explained Deputy
Chief Of Police John j. Agnew,
head of the Traffic Division.
The District law states that
Congressman, while on official
business, may park in any curb
space In the District except
within fireplug, fire house,
loading station and loading plat
form limitations"
Chief Murray pointed out that
he is on record for common
sense enforcement" of traffic
violations.
The police chief has stated
that. in many cases, tickets are
handed out when warnings
would suffice. He has urged his
| men ito give the motorist the
benefit Of the doubt before
ticketing him"