TRAFFIC LEGISLATION DEMANDED BY M'ADOO

The New York Times
November 18, 1922

Chief Magistrate Wants Auto License Reform and More Crossing Policemen.

Legislation for the improvement of New York's vehicular traffic conditions, said by Commissioner Enright to be out of control under existing conditions, will be submitted at the next session of the Legislature, it was learned yesterday. Business interests and the public generally will be enlisted in a movement to seeks methods for immediate relief and also to prepare for the future.

Chief Magistrate William McAdoo, in a statement issued yesterday at his offices, 300 Mulberry Street, said that the changes suggested by Mr. Enright "would appear to be necessary." He added, however, that they would take years to carry out and that some immediate changes must be made by legislative action, particularly with regard to the licensing of automobiles.

Among the steps suggested by Commissioner Enright, in a speech before the Fifth Avenue Association, were the building of a viaduct from the Battery to Seventy-second Street, and the razing of the Sixth and Second Avenue elevated structures and the placing of the tracks underground.

Chief Magistrate McAdoo, speaking as one who has studied the traffic problem not only as Police Commissioner but also as head of the court where thousands of traffic cases are heard, declared that the situation is "acute" and required "immediate attention." He added:

"What are the things we would immediately do? First, convince Governor Smith and the Legislature that a radical change must be made in the whole status of licensing machines—a central authority at Albany that will do nothing but regulate licensing, with an ample clerical and field force to do the work—not a revenue producer, but a life-saver, that is what is needed. If the State cannot do this, then give the licensing power to the Police Department in New York City, or, if it is deemed desirable, create a licensing zone for New York City which will include all of Long Island, Westchester and Rockland Counties; then police power to include all hack and taxicab licensing.

"Most important of all, put at least 1,500 policemen on dangerous crossings. There is no substitute for the individual policeman. Most of the killing of children occurs at crossings without police protection."