Evening Star Newspaper, September 9, 1936, Page 19

Washington News -D. C. INCOME TAX POSSIBILITY SEEN T0 MEET BUDGET Commissioners Prepare to Begin Public Hearings at 10 A.M. Tomorrow. ALLEN AGAINST INCREASE IN REAL ESTATE LEVIES " 20 Organizations Have Asked to Present Views—Hope to Conclude by Friday. Possibility that the District will have to seek a local income tax to | provide new sources of revenue was seen today as the Commissioners pre- pared to begin public hearings on re- quests for operating expenses total- ing $58,462,433 for all departments of the city government for the 1938 fiscal year. More than 20 taxpayers’ organiza- tions have asked to be heard by the Commissioners in the hearings, ar- ranged in an effort to reduce the local budget and scheduled to open at 10 am. tomorrow. The warning that the District may have to scek an income levy came from Commissioner George E. Allen, ‘Who declared: “I'm not in favor of increasing the real estate tax, but it may be neces- sary. I believe we will have to seek an income tax. The man who makes money is the man who can afford to pay for government. Expense Rising Annually. The Foening St WASHINGTON, D. C., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1936. WURK UN AIRP[]RT |NVESTMENT SM.ES Fortunes Saved From Sewers | ' Nightmare for All Boy, 4, Who Caused Trouble, Gets Most Sleep, However. “Every year we find our expenses rising and the additional cost must be met. “I've considered the possibility of Teorganizing the District government, but I have learned that by consoli- dating bureaus and departments with | similar functions our savings will be small. The income tax, as a substi- tute for the present tax on intangible property, suggests itself naturally as Pperhaps the best source we will have » %o tap.” Allen spoke in the presence of Maj. Daniel J. Donovan, District auditor, ‘who is chairman of a permanent com- mittee to study new revenue sources. Maj. Donovan’s committee already has suggested the possibility of an income | clue, but without avail. F blocks around. Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who live at 1227 O street, tucked Joseph in be: about 8 o'clock and went out to visit friends nearby. When they returned at about 11 o'clock, his crib was empty. Distracted, Mrs. Smith called on all the neighbors—first those who had children about Joseph's age, then everybody, in an attempt to find some ‘Then she called police, who repeated the process with no more success. As a last resort, and because they tax, inheritance tax and automobile | c0uld think of no place else to look, weight tax and increased gasoline and | Police went to the home of Mrs. Smith’s public utilities taxes. Although Dono- van made no comment, he indicated he would favor the proposed substi- tution of an income tax for the pres- ent intangible levy. “There are thousands here,” said Donovan, “who avoid the intangible tax through ignorance of the meaning of the law. There is nothing deliberate | about it, and they are not intentional | tax evaders. An income tax would | Taise more money and would be under- stood much more easily.” | May Conclude by Friday. The Commissioners hope to conclude the hearings Friday, but because of the demand for time made by organized groups they are prepared to continue over the week end if necessary. Reser- ‘vations have been made for the follow- « ing: ‘Tomorrow—Southeast Citizens' As- sociation, Southeast Council of Citi- gens’ Associations, Washington Tax- payers’ Protective Association, District | Fire Fighters’ Association, Howard Park Citizens’ Association, Southeast | Business Men's Association, Southwest Citizens’ Association, District Phar- | maceutical Association and Northeast Boundary Citizens’ Association. Friday—Randle Highlands Citizens’ Association, Rhode Island Avenue Cit- izens’ Association, Garfield Citizens' | Association, City-wide Playground As- | sociation, W. P. A. Lodge, A. F. G. E; International Union of Elevator Con- structors, Council of Social Agencies, ‘Takoma Park Citizens’ Association, Medical Society of the District of Co- lumbia, Sixteenth Street Highlands Citizens’ Association, Mid City Citi- zens' Association, the Consumers’ Council of Washington, the District Council of Parents and Teachers, Michigan Park Citizen's Association and Dahlgren Terrace Citizens’ Asso- ciation. The estimates for the new year rep- resent an increase of $14,413,523 over the appropriated 1937 budget which totaled $45,048,910. | ENVOY’S CAR UPSETS FIRE RESCUE AUTO| Colombian Minister, Pumarejo, and Capt. Mayhew Escape Injury. A collision between automobiles driven by Senor Don Miguel Lopez Pumarejo, Minister from Colombia, and Capt. James A. Mayhew of the fire rescue squad overturned-the lat- ter's car yesterday afternoon, but both men escaped injury. The accident occurred on Bladens- burg road when Capt. Mayhew was making a left turn into Eastern ave- nue northeast. After he had suc- ceeded in righting his car and driv- ing away, Senor Pumarejo continued | his trip to Baltimore. Two pedestrians, Miss Sue Fox, 50, of 1115 Tenth street and Lucius Mont- gomery, 50, of 31 Virginia avenue southwest were struck by street cars yesterday, but escaped serious injury. Miss Fox was infured at Fifteenth and H streets and Montgomery at Bouth Capitol and B streets. —_— - LEON F. TYNDALL, 36, LONG INVALID, IS DEAD Leon F. Tyndall, 36, formerly a teller at the American Security & ‘Trust Co,, died Monday at his home, 2700 Ontario road. He had been an invalid for the last 16 years. He was a son of the late Leon Tyn- dall, sr., who designed many of the stained-glass windows at Catholic ¥ University. SBurviving are his mother, Mrs. Annie - Tyndall, and a brother, Willlam H. Tyndall. Puneral services were held st § am. today in the Shrine of the Heart, with burial in Cemetery. sister, Miss Josephine Duncan, 28 I| street. Joseph couldn’t be there, of course, because it was too far for him to walk. ‘When they reached the sister’s house, however, there he was, sound asleep —Star Staff Photo, OUR - YEAR - OLD JOSEPH " and oblivious of all the consternation SMITH, JR., had a nightmare | he had caused. L last night which disturbed not | caly his own sleep, but that after his nightmare and climbed out of his parents and the neighbors for | of bed to look for his mother. Clutch- Joseph, it developed, had awakened ing a toy automobile in his hand, he managed to push open a screen and | clamber out a window without at- tracting the attention of the owner of | the house, Miss Susie Hedrick. | He walked around the block in his nightie, but was unable to find his mother. Finally, wearying of the | search, he curled up on a bench in a | park & block and a half away and went to sleep. Miss Duncan, coming to see her sis- ter with a friend, happened to pass the park and noticed the small, white- clad figure on the bench and stopped to investigate. When they found it was her nephew they took him back | home, but the house was locked, and not knowing where his mother was, Miss Duncan decided to take him to her home. All was straightened out this morning and _Joseph lost less | sleep than any one. He had not even lost his toy automobile. LANDRUN S FREED INSECOND INQUEST Verdict Follows 21, Hours Deliberation on C. C. C. Worker’s Death. Acquitted by a coroner’s jury after a second inquest into the killing of Law- rence Basey, colored C. C. C. worker, Ninth Precinct Policeman V. Harry Landrum was at liberty today for the first time in almost a week. After deliberating two and one-half hours on the testimony of 29 wit- nesses, the jury returned its verdict at 10 o'clock last night. The jurors re- ceived the case at 5 p.m., but recessed an hour later until 8:30 o’'clock. Policeman Landrum had been in custody of authorities since Thursday night when Basey died in Casualty Hospital of bullet wounds received on the night of Monday, August 31, while he and four other colored C. C. C. workers were being arrested at Blad- ensburg road and M street northeast. In exonerating Landrum, the jury said: “We believe the said V. Harry Young Washingtqn 1f you think whittling is a me time, just get a glimpse P S e is ;}alsomaa {’ of this fellow’s handiwork. Mr. and Mrs. Pete Viahos, 2477 Eighteenth street. Thomas, a student at the Cook School, Hollow Playgrounds. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Landrum discharged his gun when he believed his life was in jeopardy, such | a belief being initiated by a mental | process and not by any overt act or | acts on the part of those under arrest.” A second inquest was necessitated after a coroner’s jury became dead- locked Saturday night after deliberat- | ing the case nearly eight hours. When it was announced the jury could not agree, Coroner A. Magruder McDonald dismissed the members. The incident | was the first of its kind in the memory | of District officials. | The last witness to take the stand, Landrum told the jury he shot Basey when the five youths, one of them cry- | ing “Let’s get him!” prepared to “mob” | him while he was opening a telephone | patrol box to call his station. Landrum | | has been on sick leave for several | months. Landrum told the jury that when |the men started to “rush” him, his | first thought was of a policeman who, | he said,” was beaten to death by a jgroup of colored persons” several | years ago. Denied Effort to “Gang” Officer. Basey's companions on the night of the shooting—Washington Bell, Thomas Hazlewood, Lynwood Bembry lnnd Samuel Gill—denied on the wit- ness stand that they had tried to “gang up” on Landrum. Testimony by a Casualty Hospital physician and a ninth precinct officer that Basey had | been drinking just prior to the killing tll.so was denied by the youths. BEGUN AS ARMY|GROUP ORGANIZED) | FAILS T0 OBJECT $100,000 Modernizing Plan Involves Runway Over Military Road. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT AUTHORITY IS CITED Crews Shift Dirt After Fort Myer Commanding Officer Announces Non-Interference Policy. No effort will be made by the Army to block the construction of a Wash- ington Afrport runway across Mili- tary road, it was announced today by Col. J. W. Wainwright, command- ing officer at Fort Myer, Va., as grad- ing machinery was set to work on the airport to start a $100,000 im- provement. Col. Wainwright said that he has notified Samuel J. Solomon, manager of the airport, that the Army will neither authorize nor object to the constructin of the runway, which will involve a 2-foot fill across Military road. It had been anticipated in some quarters that a last-moment objec- tion by the War Department might halt the new construction program, which is intended to modernize Wash- ington Airport, long regarded as one of the most dangerous major air terminals in the United States. Commerce Authority Cited. Col. Wainwright said that an act of Congress which became law last March had authorized the Secretary of Commerce to set up such regulation as he deemed necessary to permit the use by Washington Airport of a por- tion of Military road as a runway and to erect safeguards to prevent the danger of collision between air- craft and automobiles on the high- way. “Under the circumstances,” Col. Wainwright said, “the War Depart- | ment feels that it has no right to ob- Jject or to authorize the proposed con- struction of runways, even though the right of way of a military road is involved. The matter has been re- ferred to the Department of Come merce.” Commerce Department officials have stated that they ave no objec- tion to the runway construction pro- gram, but feel that it is a commend- able and very necessary improvement and an important contribution to air transport safety. Almost Closed in Dispute. Controversy over the installation of traffic lights and barriers across Mili- tary road at the runway crossing last Spring threatened to result in closing the local airport. Only through per- sonal intervention of the late Rep- resentative John J. McSwain, chair- man of the Military Affairs Commit- tee, was the closing averted long enough to enable Congress to pass legislation transferring responsibility for policing of the road to the Com- merce Department. There has been a question as to whteher the act of last March cov- ered such a question as the present construction of a runway across Mili- tary road. The decision of the War Department to pass responsibility to the Commerce Department, however, is thought to have averted the dan- ger that this situation might arise to block the program. Scrapers and “bulldozers” were to go into action today, knocking the tops of two elevations along the rights of way of the proposed runways. Ma- terial for the filling of Military road already has been trucked to the field and dumped in piles along the high- way. Airport employes already were at work on preliminary drainage con- struction, and the actual construction of foundations for the asphalt run- ways is expected to begin next week. POLICE WILL FREE PAIR IN SLAYING Satisfied Men Quizzed in Watch- man'’s Death Know Noth- ing of Case. Satisfied they know nothing about the slaying early Saturday of Marion J. Riley, 55-year-old watchman at the James E. Colliflower coal yard in nearby Virginia, Sheriff Howard B. Fields of Arlington County said today he will release two men, said to be former employes of the coal company, who were arrested here early yester- day. ‘The men were taken into custody by Washington detectives after Virginia authorities had requested their arrest on the suspicion they had some con- nection with the case. They were taken to the Arlington County Jail yesterday by Detective Hugh Jones and questioned exten- sively. A report that a third white man was being sought was denied by Sheriff Fields. 8ix colored men were arrested a few hours after Riley, an Alexandrian and - father of eight children, was found beaten to death in a boiler room on the coal-yard grounds. They have been finger-printed, Sheriff Fields said, and their prints are being compared with those found on a battered safe and in the office of the coal firm. BAND CONCERT. By the student musicians, Navy School of Music, at the bandstand, Davy yard, this evening at 7:30, Band- master James Thurmond, leader. Overture, “Leonore”. ..... Solo for cornet, “Bride of the Student Mus| . W. Waltz, “Southern Roses”._.. Medley of “Victor Herbert’ vorites” lghos, 10, son of hotographed at the Happy. mfmau Borow, daughter of BT = t;‘c Wheatley School. Ci o ke, Siap Photo, —Star, 10 SET STANDARDS 6,000 Bankers and Dealers Expected to Join Self- Government Body. FEDERAL CO-OPERATION ARRANGED BY S. E. C. Landis Hopeful of Assistance in Problems—Y. E. Booker Heads Local Area Unit. Setting up a permanent national organization, with headquarters in Washington, investment bankers and over-the-counter securities dealers have established Investment Bankers’ Conference, Inc., for the double pur- pose of “self-government and co- operation with the Federal Govern- ment.” With offices in the Denrike Build- ing, at 1010 Vermont avenue, the new organization already has started a movement to bring into its member- ship all the 6,000 investment bankers and over-the-counter securities deal- ers who are registered with the Se- curities & Exchange Commission. Investment Bankers' Conference, Inc., of Delaware is an outgrowth of the former Investment Bankers' Code Authority and the later Investment Bankers’ Conference Committee. Of- ficial announcement of the new per- manent organization was made by B. Howell Griswold, jr., of Baltimore, who has been chairman of the In- vestment Bankers' Conference Com- mittee. He is senior partner of Al- exander Brown & Sons. 2 Ex-Compliance Officer in Charge. At the national headquarters, Wal- lace H. Fulton has been placed in charge as director. He was formerly compliance officer for the Investment | D Bankers’ Code Authority, but had re- turned to private business in Cali- fornia. He was recalled to Washing- ton for this work. Frank L. Scheffey of New York is also a director of the new organization. Prominent in the new set-up lo- cally is Y. E. Booker, president of the ‘Washington Stock Exchange, who is chairman of the committee in charge of this region. Booker has sent out to members of his committee, represent- ing four States and the District of Columbia, a letter outlining the plans for the new organization and laying preliminary plans for the regional outfit. The section headed by Booker has for its jurisdiction the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. James M. Landis, chairman of the S.E. C, in a statement issued through he new I B. C., predicted that the “successful functioning of this or- ganization along the lines indicated would redound to the benefit both of the public and the investment bankers and dealers of the country in | many ways.” Purposes Outlined. Specifically, some of the more im- portant purposes of I. B. C. are set forth in its charter, as follows: “To promote, through co-operative effort, high standards of commercial honor and integrity and public confi- dence in the investment banking and securities business. “To provide a medium through which its membership may be ena- bled, through representatives, to con- fer, consult and co-operate with gov- ernmental and other agencies in the solution of problems affecting the public and the investment banking and securities business. “To promote effective co-operation among members and to investigate and adjust grievances between the public and members—and between members.” Local and regional organizations are to be set up, such as that now headed by Booker, throughout the country. “The new organization,” said Landis, “will be requested by the 8. E. C. to conduct hearings involving complaints of unfair practices, of the type which do not call for reference directly to State or Federal authori- ties, between and against investment bankers and security dealers who are members of the conference.” GUARD SUSPENDED IN CAPITOL THEFT Sergeant at Arms Romney Acts, Then Confers With Postal Inspector. Suspension of a guard today indi- cated officlal belief that lack of vigilance by Capitol police was re- sponsible for the series of office loot- ings that culminated Monday in the arrest of a prowler allegedly trying to steal mail from the House sergeant at arms’ office. Meanwhile Sergeant at Arms Ken- neth Romney was to confer with Postal Inspector Thomas Fitch to determine if the Post Office Department has jurisdiction in the case of Louis D. Barbazon, 27, who, Romney said, was caught reaching for mail through the grilled doors of his outer office. Postal said, if it is established that the mail had been delivered, they doubted they could intervene. Romney recommended to the Capi- tol Police Trial Board the suspension of the officer whose duty it was to see that the ground-floor door on the House side was locked and guarded from midnight until 6 am. This is the entrance Barbazon is assumed to have used. The recommendation carries auto- matic suspension. Romney, who with- held the policeman’'s name, hopes the action will serve as a warning to Capi- tol officers that other cases of neglect of duty will be punished accordingly. Few of the Capitol force are trained policemen, the majority being young patronage appointees. Barbazon remained at the first pre- cinct station while flnmln]e.y uhuvmed the possibility of postal-law Romney said he would bring charges | the strap on her wrist watch when it | THUGS BEAT CHEF, eaners Become Expert in Locating Jewelry, Coins and Other Articles. Maurice T. Turner, overseer of the Sewer Department’s basin-cleaning force, instructing one of his “lost and found” experts. —Star Staff Photo. BY IRVING LASH. of course, but through care- | lessness? Or has a ring, pocketbook or some | other valuable object slipped through | your fingers and disappeared into one of the 1,200 catch basins in Wash- ington? Perhaps you haven't been so un- fortunate, but many others have been. And for the unitiated, who have yet to be victimized by such a freak accident, it might be well to know it's not as hopeless as it sounds. Probably as many things lost in sewers find their way back to their | owners as are swept through under- ground channels to oblivion. Crew Always Ready. Credit for these rescues belongs to | an emergency crew that stays on duty | 24 hours a day to aid distressed citi- | zens. Only a few days ago this group of | Sewer Department workmen proved, | as they have shown many times in | the past, that it is not like looking | for a needle in a haystack when they hunt for a watch in a sewer. A colored maid in the 3500 block | of Runnymede place was toying with | came unclasped and the timepiece 1 plopped into the mouth of a sewer. A few hours later she had it back. | A call to the trouble crew put them on the job with long-handled scoops. They went through the sediment at the bottom of the catch basin and | uncovered the watch. The same day & young woman who | was about to leave for a vacation at | the seashore balanced her purse on | other basin. She, t00, called the Sewer Depart- | ment, and they recovered the pocket- book in short order. It was ruined, but the money was intact. Those are but a couple of exam- | ples. In the past fiscal year nearly[ three score valuable articles reported lost in sewers have been returned to the losers. | Jewelry and money are not the | only things taken from the District’s 1,000 miles of sewers. | Society and General PAGE B—1 NEED FOR CONTROL OF PEDESTRIANS 1S CITED IN' REPORT Van Duzer Reiterates Stand Despite Third Reversal by Commissioners. HOLDS 37.4 PER CENT DISREGARD SIGNALS Cites Increase in Accidents, but Says There Was Decrease in Fatalities and Injuries. Traffic Director William A. Van Duzer reiterated today in his annual report to the Commissioners the need for pedestrian control regulations in the District traffic code. Only yesterday Van Duzer's third attempt to have the code amended to incorporate pedestrian rules was turned down by the Commissioners, who approved the opinion rendered by Corporation Counsel Elwood Seal. However, in his annual report, Van Duzer said: ,NThe Ppedestrian control situation is still our most acute safety problem, and will remain so until means have been adopted to keep them out of the roadways, between intersections.” Van Duzer said his department has conducted spot traffic counts at vari- | ous intersections, which showed 37.4 per cent of the pedestrians paid no | heed to traffic signal lights and crossed the street on other than the go signal. _,“A large percentage of the fatalities, .42.5 per cent, as compared with 67.5 in 1935 and 75 per cent in 1934, were pedestrians,” he said. ‘Of these pedes- trian fatalities, 73 per cent were caused by negligence of the deceased. Similarly, 55 per cent of the persons | injured were pedestrians and in 70 per | the door of her automobile. It tum- | cent of these cases the pedest: vi ID you ever drop your watch bled off and her holiday funds took |at fault. it down a sewer—not purposely, | a bath in the waters and debris of an- | necessity for pedestrian regulations These facts illustrate the | suchas has been recommended to the Commissioners this year, and the adoption of regulations for the control of pedestrians cannot be urged too strongly.” Accidents Increased. Total accidents increased over the preceding year despite extra precau- tions taken, Van Duzer reported. An encouraging factor, however, was a decrease in fatalities and injuries, There were 23 fewer deaths and a de- crease of 121 personal injury acci- Find Guns and Shovels. | dents, Guns, knives, tools and objects of | every description come to light each year, The weapons are turned over to police, who check them for possible | criminal connection. | Fifteen shovels were found in catch | basins last year after the heavy snows. They were lost by street cleaners and carried to the bottom of the sewers with slushy water. Key holders are lost and found probably more often than any other single thing. Nickels, dimes, quar- ters and sometimes bills are brought to the surface when the basins are periodically cleaned. Finders are keepers in the case of small change. Once a wallet containing several hundred dollars worth of postal sav- | ings certificates was scooped up. It was returned to the owner, who had | been held up and his pocketbook | thrown away after the cash was ex- tracted. They are pretty lucky at finding things, these sewer cleaners, but not one of them has ever fallen in and come up wearing a pearl necklace. TAKE SUIT AND $4) Disrobe Victim, Leave Him in Alley—Purse Snatch- ings Reported. | ‘Waylaid as he walked home early to- day, James Lynch, 25-year-old chef, | was left lying in an alley in his under- wear and socks by thugs who beat him | until he was nearly unconscious be- ! fore disrobing him. At Emergency Hospital it was re- ported Lynch may have fractures of the skull and nose in addition to many cuts. Lynch, who lives at 1425 Clifton street, was surprised by three colored men as he was walking on Fourteenth street near Swann street about 3:30 am. Dragging him into an alley, his as- sailants knocked him down, he said, and continued to beat him. When he was too weak to resist, he added, they took his wallet, containing $45, his watch, suit and shoes. Responding to a telephone report that a fight was taking place in the alley, second precint police found Lynch in a dazed condition. About an hour earlier, Miss Annie Echo, 756 Ninth street southeast, was struck in the face and robbed of her | purse by a colored man, who accosted her at North Capitol and H streets. The pocketbook, police were told, con- | tained about $2. | Several other purse snatchings were | reported last night. Victims included Martha Adelman, 39 Quincy place | northeast, who was robbed near her home by a boy said to be about 10 | vears old; Elizabeth C. Langyher, 1158 | Morse street northeast, who lost a | $30 wristwatch and some change when another boy about 14 grabbed her pocketbook, and May Chacos, 918 M street, whose purse was taken by a colored youth. Two boys are being held in connec- tion with the thefts from Miss Lan- gyher and Miss Chacos. Two Argentinians Reach City On 14,000-Mile Bicycle Trip! From two of the tiniest, hardest and most uncomfortable looking bicycle seats, two bronzed, wiry young Argentinians hopped to the pavement at Thirty-eighth street and Massa- chusetts avenue yesterday after put- ting 14,000 miles between them and their South American home in the last 32 months. The youths, Gregori Espasa and Victor Scaraffia, both 25, traveled the entire distance on their “inter- national bicycle built for two.” Since leaving Buenos Aires on January 1, 1934, the battered old tandem frame has been spliced with parts of French, German, Italian and English make. Three new chains were used and 29 new tires. Had Medical Training. Each of the young men is a college graduate and each has had medical training. The trip was financed Jointly by their parents and the In- ternational Esperanto Language As- sociation. It has cost upwards of $3,000 so far. New York is their goal and they plan to sail from there to Argentina within the next two weeks. ‘The pair was met on Massachusetts avenue by a delegation of Boy Scouts on bicycles, representatives of -the Esperanto Association, - motoreycle mm%wmm ‘The CAravaD swept to the Argen- tinlan Embassy, where the youths had a short talk with the Ambassador from their country, and then on to the Pan-American Building, where they were greeted by Dr. L. 8. Rowe, director general of the Pan-Ameri- can, and were presented to radio listeners in a 15-minute broadcast. Pedal Around in Courtyard. At the embassy the youths oblig- ingly wheeled their bike from the street through the main hall and into a high-walled court in the rear. There they mounted and pedalled gaily around and around while photo- graphers tried to shoot pictures with- out being run down. The young men speak no English, but with the aid of an interpreter shrieked answers to questions over their shoulders as they pedalled in the court. For the most part of their intercon- tinental tour they traveled the route of the proposed Pan-American High- way, to run through Central America between the United States and South America. They have made as much as 200 miles a day through the flat con- | crete highways in the Middle West, and as little as 2 miles a day in the jungles of Central America. Several they were given hospital treat- There were 9,608 accidents, 4,120 | persons injured and 102 deaths dur- ing the year ending June 30, as com- pared with 8,523 accidents, 4,241 per- sons injured and 125 deaths during the preceding year. “It is worthy of note,” said Van Duzer, “that this increase in the num- ber of accidents reported is appar- ently due in part to the greater safety consciousness of the public which has led to the reporting of accidents in which little or no damage has been done. Thus, there was an increase of 540 in the number of accidents in which no damage was done or the damage amounted to less than $10, which is about one-half of the total increase in the number of accidents.” Van Duzer reported that the princi- pal faults of drivers involved in acci- dents were recklessness, failing to yield E‘ght of way, intoxication and speed- 8. | Parking Violations Cited. | With respect to traffic congestion during rush periods, the report pointed out that consistent violations of park- ing regulations by passenger cars and truck deliveries during rush periods continue to be the principal causes for | blocking and delay. He urged co- | operation on the part of merchants and trucking concerns to readjust | door-to-door deliveries so as to avoid i conflict with period of big traffic. The department installed 118 new | signals at 36 locations during the fiscal year ending June 30 and “walk” signals for pedestrians were installed for trial at two F street intersections. The number of signals in service on July 1 was 1,379, controlling 343 in- tersections, 4 circles and 2 draw bridges. The total funds obligated for signal work was $25,000. A continued increase in revenues was reported. Payments for titles, tags and permits brought in a total revenue of $671,959, an increase of $197,901.50 over the preceding year. A breakdown of figures showed the revenue from titles as $105,816, an in- crease of $15,816; license plates, $226,- 467, an increase of $15309, and li- censes, $222,954, an increase of $14,739. CITIZENS APPEAL RULING ON BUSSES Monroe Residents Still Seek to Get Half of Service Trans- ferred. Residents of Monroe street morth- east have appealed the second decision of the Public Utilities Commission on removal of a two-way bus service from their thoroughfare, it was learned today. The Monroe street petitioners are desirous of having at least half the bus service transferred to another thoroughfare, but residents of neigh boring streets have fought success fully against the change. The first pe tition was rejected speedily, but a sece ond received more attention, as Wil- liam A. Roberts, people’s counsel, ap- peared on behalf of the petitioners. Eventually, however, this plea was re- jected also. Regarding the latest appeal, Rich« mond B. Keech, vice chairman of the commission, said he would consult counsel for the commission to learn whether the case may be reopened. The commission is not averse to fur- ther consideration, he said. . BOY CYCLIST DROWNS An unidentified colored boy about 13 or 14 years old was drowned shortly before noon today when he rode his bicycle off the end of the Municipal Pish Wharf. The boy was racing with a companion. ‘The body, Police, was d 25 minutes later by to the morgue.