The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-20

A FTER constant requests for the ap-
"A pointrnent of the traffic squad in
\ augurated by George H. Bodeker
and subsequently abolished by the COM
1nissioners. the squad has been reorgan-
lied and is now handling the traffic down.
town. In the breasts of many citizens
that were greatly concerned over the non
enforcement Of traffic legislation there is
peace and contentment for the traffic
squad has things we'll under way. Chier
George H. Bodeker has answered critics
of his refusal to reinstate the traffic men
with the statement that finances were at
a low ebb and every department was
working trying to help the commission
get by with the financial burdens He
personally has always favored the traffic
regulators The resumption of that inn
portant work will be the source of intense
qualification to a countless number of
citizens.
Chief Bodeker has drilled the present
traffic men rather stringently in their i'm
portant work. Tt is recognized that it re-
quires a man of quick wit and ability to
solve questions hurriedly and to handle
the difficult problems that como up In
traffic work without the loss Of mo-
ment. Therefore, Chief BodeSer selected
his traffic men with caution. He fished
out the younger men strong and little and
men also who think like rapid fire guns.
The training by special instructors fol-
lowed 1t is now that Birmingham has a
youthful traffic squad that will be the
envy of the south If they continue to inn
prove like fhey have in the past week.
The men all seem to be interested in the
ft.trf.. 70 adf fn IL
tomobile drivers and others in the art
of driving downtown. They appreciate
that the automobile drivers are better
acquainted with the traffic rules than the
drivers of drays and such vehicles. There
fore, it is expected that the draymen,
hack drivers and others of that class will
be more difficult to teach than the auto
mobile men. However, all of them are
being told with gentleness that the traffic
laws must be obeyed and that the ex-
cuse, 'T forgot is null with the traffic
squad. The dangers that are constantly
rife downtown by reason of recklessness
on the part of the drivers is serious, and
1t is Up to the traffic men to handle the
dangers SO as to at least reduce the risks
that are being taken.
The traffic stations SO far arranged are
as follows:
First avenue and Twentieth street; Of
ficer Taylor.
Officer w. r. Mitchell.
Third avenue and Twentieth street, Of
ficer III. Moore.
Third avenue and Nineteenth street: Of
fieer G. NJ. Burkett.
Second avenue and Nineteenth street:
Officer r. w. Ray.
The officers are using the signal whis-
ties with complete effect and satisfaction.
They were ordered special from st. Louis
for the traffic work here. The traffic
men signal as follows:
One blast-Proceed north and south.
Two hlasts-Proceed east and west
Three blasts-Police patrol and ambu
lances approaching. Lookout
-Four blasts-Everything stop; the fire
department is approaching
Chief of Police Bodeker said yesterday
that the quicker all persons who drive
downtown get acquainted with the traffic
signals and comply with them the better
would be the final result obtained in
handling the difficult and ever increasing
dangerous problems on the streets.