The Washington herald., 1912-11-28
STAMFORD ADOPTS
EMO TRAFFIC PLAN
Author of New York and. Paris
Regulations Returns from Con.
necticut Town.
cHAUFFEURs ARE ANXIOUS
FOR CHANGES HERE
Urge Necessity of Uniform Traffic
Rules for All Nearby Cities.
Street Skaters Considered.

An indication Of the general sentiment
in American cities in favor Of uniform
trafic regulations is seen in the action
OF the Common Council Of Stamford,
Conn. which, following q conference with
william p. Emo, of Washington and
New York. last week, decided upon the
adoption of a set of regulations prepared
by Mr.. Emo at their request. Mr.. Emo
has devoted the past twelve years al
most exclusively to the study OF traffic,
ana is the author OF regulations now in
operation in Paris, New York, and other
American and Continental cities.
Mr.. Emo returned to Washington Mon
day much pleased with the progress of
the work he is engaged in. He was invited
by the Mayor Of Stamford to confer with
him and a special committee Of the coun-
Gil on the question OF traffic regulation.
The Connecticut authorities had been
impressed with the wisdom OF Mr.. Eno's
contention that uniformity IN municipal
trafic regulations is one OF the most Inn
portant features OF the problem. In view
OF the general use OF the automobile in
inter-city travel. 1t is pointed out that
with different regulations in cities be-
tween which there IS much interchang-
ing traffic, drivers and chauffeurs are
unable to keep informed Of the differ
ences This, in the opinion OF Mr.. Emo,
results in as much confusion as the ab-
sence of any traffic regulations.
ChauIfeurS Want Reforms.
That local chauffeurs realize the neces-
sity OF traffic regulations revision in the
District is indicated by the action OF
driver for one Of the large taxicab
port which The Washington Herald has
given the movement. The chauffeur in
question formerly drove a public con-
veyance in New York City. He was
asked If ii was not a relief TO drive In
Il city such as Washington. where the
traffic is so much lighter than in the
metropolis.
Il would much rather drive a machine
in New York than in Washington. as far
as the regulations are concerned" he
said, because there the regulations are
in such shape that they may readily be
committed to memory, and all drivers
are Obliged to observe them. The re-
suit is that a driver always knows what
the man ahead of him is going to do
in any situation. and can be prepared.
Here I am never sure what the driver
OF a wagon or machine ahead of me is
GCing to do next"
VIII BE Ready soon.
The new traffic regulations may be in
the hands of the Commissioners for in
formal consideration this week. Com
missioner Johnston has completed
all sections Of the work which are
interdependent, which means virtually
the entire set He will have copies made
e., D1d nd Ind
who will carefully go over Gen. John
ston's recommendations before the Board
of Commissioners formally take the mat
ter up for consideration. This, one OF
the developments Of yesterday, indicates
that the new regulations will be ready
to be put into effect before fortnight
is up.
Mai Richard Sylvester, superintendent
of police, yesterday advanced a new idea
in the treatment of certain streets for
traffic. Maj. Sylvester suggests that
PENNSYLVANIA Avenue. Massachusetts
Avenue and Sixteenth Street. particular
ly those sections of these thoroughfares
which run through the show parts Of
Washington, be boulevsrded. that is.
closed to heavy hauling and other objec-
tionable traffic, except such as is neces-
sary in the delivery Of goods.
THE use of these thoroughfares for all
sorts of hauling has two effects" said
Maj. Sylvester yesterday. In the first
place. It detracts unnecessarily from the
attractiveness of the streets, and sec
Ondly. It impedes traffic in lighter vehi-
cles which have to use these streets and
which otherwise could move much more
easily and rapidly.
For instance, l was riding down Penn
sylvania Avenue this morning with the
Commissioer. We passed one hay wag-
on, which in itself blotted out the entire
view ahead for the driver. In addition
We passed three big trash wagons, a
couple of garbage wagons, a dirty wagon.
and I don't know how many less objec-
tionable vehicles which had no business
in the Avenue. This same experience can
be had any day in either Massachusetts,
Avenue or Sixteenth Street There is no
reason for this; It benefits no one, and
Injuries many"
Mai. Sylvester said he had not suggest
ed this plan in the new set OF regulations
he had recommended to Commissioner
Johnston, because some doubt existed as
to the legality OF such a move without
further legislation. The question prob
ably will be presented to the Corporation
Counsel for settlement, and later dealt
with as a separate phase OF the situation.
Reservations for Children.
1t has not been determined whether the
two questions involving the relation OF
children to street traffic shall be settled
along with other traffic questions or not.
It became known yesterday, though. that
when the Commissioners consider the re-
port of the committee on use of the
streets by roller skaters, they also will
consider the proposition to set aside few
blocks where traffic is light for use as
street Fairgrounds for a couple Of hours
each afternoon.
The committee, composed Of Supervisor
of Fairgrounds Martin, Superintendent of
Police Sylvester, and Fire Chief Wagner
Is at present undecided whether to recon-
mend the selection Of three or four large
places in the city for roller skating, be-
tween the hours OF 7:30 and at night,
or whether to select one quiet block in
each precinct for the purpose. Mai. Syl-
vester is in favor of the first-named plan,
believing the skaters would be willing tol
travel a little farther in order to be as
sured of larger place to skate and al
bigger crowd OF fellow-skaters. Moreover,
he believes, places can be found not only
where traffic is light, but where there are
no residences, thus eliminating in advance
any possible objection from property own
ers.
BIRTHS REPORTED.
...- swHITE
SaunueI and Hestrr Simms my