El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-06


y AN Antonio's new traffic ordinance
is up for consideration by the city
council As FL Paso is now pre-
pairing a new traffic ordnance, the san
Antonio measure is of interest to peo-
pie in this city and may furnish some
valuable pointers, as San AntOnlaIs
spent much time in preparing It.
Revised and uptOdate, embracing the
best features of the traffic ordinances
of Chicago, St Louis, Kansas City ana
other cities, and including portions OF
the present traffic ordinance and suG-
gestions from members of the san An
tonic Automobile club, the new ordl-
nance as prepared by alderman F. a
Chapa was presented to the city coun-
Gil in adjourned session this week
When passed Il will nullify all preVl-
Gus traffic ordinances.
Mr. Chapa mas spent more than
month gathering data for the measure
and he has held several conferences
with those in a position to know the
faults Of the present ordnance He
believes the new measure VIII remedy
existing evils and If enforced properly
it viii reduce the number of accidents
to a minimum. Under the Chapa Ordi-
nance the duties of the traffic police
man viii be increased and their posts
viii be more important. To give the
san Antonio policemen a better idea
as to how traffic should be directed on
crowded steert corners alderman Chapa
plans to have one or two regular met
ropolitan traffic policemen brought TO
San Antonio.
The new measure applies not only TO
mOtordriTen vehicles but to street cars
and pedestrians. Only baby buggies
and toy wagons are eliminated in the
scores of sections defining vehicles and
regulating their traffic. The ordinance
also preScribes a set Of rules for driV-
ers Of automobiles and its provisions
are so stringent that If carefully fol-
lowed only experienced and careful
drivers viii be allowed to handle auto
mobiles.
COppers to BE Supreme.
Absolute power for the direction OF
traffic is vested in traffic policemen.
After defining the class Of vehicles,
streets and the business district, sec
ton two under the head Of obedience"
says
DRIVERS OF vehicles and Of street
cars and pedestrians must at all times
comply with the directions, or in
Etructions, by voice, by hand or other
wise, of any member Of the police de-
partment as to the placing, stopping,
starting, approaching or departing
from any place; the manner Of loading
and unloading goods, at any time or
place
Pedestrians have the right to cross
streets in safety, but pedestrians must
conform 20 all traffic rules, thereby
not only contributing to their own
safety and comfort, but assisting the
prompt and orderly movement of traf-
fic as we'll" says the measure. This
is not the only reference 10 pedestrians,
however, as pedestrians are required TO
look for approaching vehicles before
stepping from the sidewalk to the road
way. In addition pedestrians shall not
cross any street of this city except at
street Intersections or points where
pedestrians may cross here signs are
located In crossing streets pedestrians
must wait for the signal of the traffic
policeman, wherever one is stationed
at any point, and move in the direction
OF traffic only in crossing streets Even
on the sidewalks those afoot are not
given too many privileges: they are