The Washington herald., 1911-11-26
Nv RICHARD SYLVESTER.

lbout from place to place in the midst
IF those who pedestrianize, and the COM
bination calls for system, in order that
life and property may be secure against
loss or injury in the first place, and TO
The end that prOmptness, saving and
comfort may be afforded in the second
place. To these might appropriately be
added sightliness. because the systematic
arrangement that is free from andquated
features carries with it favorable recog-
aition if not emulation.
Pathways established and maintained
by public expenditures constitute the
avenues, streets, roads, and highways
over which that vehicular energy is eX-
pended in the transporting of passengers
and commodities, and the laws, regula-
tons, and rules made for the guidance
Of those engaged in the expenditure have
been and are being created looking to
the continued improvement of system.
Highways of Ancient Days.
The degree of perfection in the con-
struction of avenues, streets, roads and
highways, as we'll as the degree of ex-
cellence in the providing of governing
rules usually corresponds to the degree
Of intelligence and wealth of the country
wherein the same exist and are control
led. Historic roads have had their place
since the time of the Egyptians and
Romans, and capitalists realized on
turnpikes before the introduCtOns of
railroads. The utilizing of the horse as
a motive power suggested the building
Of ways so graded as to permit of the
drawing Of three-fourths, halves, or quar-
ter loads, and prompted consideration
of the grades over which a horse could
trot with safety. but, since the advent of
the motor vehicle with its high power
these questions have been followed by
others; wear and tear of surfaces, and
speed and safety becoming principal fea
lures for study and skill. These have
all the more been made requirements
because of the vast increase in the num-
Der of such vehicles over the slower
hOrse-moving kind.
While this is true. the animal-propelled
method still prevails and it will doubt
less be some years before it Is entirely
eliminated. Such being the case, ii
makes the work of providing laws and
regulations for the guidance and restraint
of traffic all the more complicated and
aTdOus. Furthermore, the pedestrian is
prominent factor whose rights must
be protected.
Always Turn to Right.
While the well-established rule of the
road to always turn to the right when
one vehicle passes another. maintains
generally, it is not so true in practice on
the part of the pedestrian, though it
should equally apply.
1t has been held by leading authorities
and in some smart municipalities that.
for the purpose Of cffecting a complete
system of traffic. eQuestyians. led horses,
and everything on wheels or runners. eX-
Ccpt street cars and baby carriages,
should be regarded as vehicles. and that
the word horses should include all do
mestiC animals. SO far as standard rules
are concerned, a community might be so
and enterprising as to &C
quioSCe in this procedure. while. if it
were let to the opinion of some of the
judicial minds. it might be adjudged IN
consistent. so far as horses being led are
1t goes without saying that the author
ity charged with making the laws and
regulations for control of Vehicular traffic
in cities should not lose sight Of the
fact that there is a gradual elimination
of horse-drawn and a rapid increase OF
the motor vehicles. and this being ac-
repted, conditions will have so changed
In "A period of time as to warrant q |
in restriction and other re-
spects The withdrawal of the horse. !
education Of drivers and pedestrians. i'm
DrOvement in machines, skill in handling. |
AMI demands for expedition in transit |
will necessitate it.
Laws Must Be Enforced.
Right here, however, it may be stated |
that no matter how near model the laws
and regulations may be in a given local |
community has been fully enlightened |
On the subject and has a police force !
informed and courageous TO !
enforce the same without fear or favor. |
do not mean that harshness or perse- !
:ution should follow, but warnings and |
to the end that respect for |
he laws and regulations may be OBJ |
aimed.
Along these lines education should |
ollow, and first. in order to reach those |
Concerned. proper signboards should d. |
ect as to the speed limit, where and !
when to slow down, keep to the right, |
0 the left as near the curb as possible,
n plan, bold letters. along roadways
nd in sections where the display of
is important. In prominent
ositions, attractive to the public, the
avs and regulations should be appro-
riately fixed so as to catch the
rivers eye. In addition to this, there
hould be distributed to pedestrians and
rivers in every city, as well as to all
,wners and operators of vehicles,
through the police, with a surplus at
tation houses for those who might de-
ire them. printed copies, in pamphlet
orm. of the laws and regulations as
night be adopted. This independent OF
ny Similar action automobile clubs or
theirs might take looking to the advice
nd protection of themselves and the
ublic
MOtOrmen Also Must Heed.
Street railway motormen should be re-
uired to conform to the orders OF the
onstituted authorities at intersecting
treets, dangerous corners and turns. at
re-engine crossings, and to all laws re-
lting to speed and the taking on or
citing on of passengers. Particularly at
1tersecting streets should they be COM
elled to cooperate in facilitating the
Movement Of vehicular traffic so as not to
npede or obstruCt the passage of Vehi-
les directed by the police officers as
gned to such duty. Vehicles should
love in line on right and left on con-
ested thoroughfares and not break too
ar to one side or the other in moving
D as to confuse, complcate, or obstruct.
Dealing with the subject of regulations
applicable to municipalities, it occurs
} those who have given the sane close ]
oservation and study that any code {
'hich might be adopted should. by way I
Introduction, contain explicit informa- !
on as to any of the terms therein en- l
loyed, to the end that the intent of the &
lakers might be readily understood.
he word drivers could, for instance | g
properly recited to include not only I
ders and drivers of vehicles, but the q
ders Of bicycles and operators of mo- c
" vehicles and street cars who should | I
all times comply with the directions 7
any member of the police force as
1orded by voice or hand as IN Sfer,Ing | :