New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-13
,.pAFFTC AND LAW.

4,,r,ors of street traffic control by
~ ro1ica are announced, and are 10 NC
cordad with sincere grathcaton' rev 10
orn improvements" of comparaDle Sill piC4'y
- ,1+od in so great good or have reflected
- noo+ credit unon the city. perhaps We
ebouId say few have removed so great AZ
nrosch. for really it was disgrace 10 ZIG ely
that the system was not adopted maHy yeas
boforo Tho lack of anything like orderly con-
+rol of street traffic at congested centres LAS
haan one of the most discreditable features Oh
~our-yorys evervday administration, surpassed
,orbons ,onlv by the disgraceful lack OF Street
signs When, a year or two ago, the "eAperl-
ment'-long successfully practised as matter
oF course in other citieS-was tentatively Aaue
with fear and trembling at single point solne
remonstrance was provoked, Dut Oh the "HoAe'
the good of the system was quickly ana near uIJ
recognized and its extension to other points was
assured Such extension has been Welcolheu
and respected, save by a few opslFepero"S
cranks and lawbreaking automoDlllsts' ana we
may reasonably hope to see the system estao-
lsbed throughout the city wherever 1t Is needed.
The good of it. for the safety and comfort OF
+be nublic and the facilitation of traffic, is In
estimable but still greater, If possible, Is It's
benefcence in reviving and establishing popular
respect for law. 1t has often been remarked,
without effective denial, that Americans are one
of the most lawless peoples in the world Ger
tainlv there is a widespread disregard Of those
laws and ordinances which, though minor, al
feet most directly the rights and comfort or the
great mass Of the population. The speed law on
highways is wantonly violated every day Dy au-
tomobilists The law against smoking IN puDhc
conveyances is broken thousands Of times in an
hour The law against fireworks is multitude
nousIy ignored The law for the removal Of snow
Soa Sidewalks Is dtSregarded.
These may be thought by some to be small
things They are, as we have said, the things
that most directly affect the greatest number
of people, and it is in the scrupulous observance
of such things that the civilization and culture
of a community and It's regard for right and
order and decency are most conspicuously
shown.
Now this traffic control is teaching this city
most useful lesson in respect for law, and is get
ting the public into the habit Of obeying the law
in at least this one thing-and If in this one
thing, then It will be so much the easier to in
culcate law observance in other things. Many
criticisms have been passed upon the police Of
New-York, and have been deserved. Personally,
many of the policemen may not be worthy Of
high respect; but the policeman on duty is an
emblem Of that ordered authority upon which
the reasonable liberties and the welfare Of the
people are based. The policeman stationed at
the crowded crossing checking, expediting, con-
trolling and directing, for their own good, the
tumultuous tides and cross currents of hurrytng
traffic, is one of the most impressive reminders
Of that system Of constitution and laws which is
intended similarly to deal with the vastly greater
tides and currents OF our national progress, and
glad to recognize in the increasing defer
ence which is paid to his functions an earnest
Of increasing respect for all the functions and
authorities Of law.