Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-25

Cooperation on the part of drivers Of
vehicles. OF pedestrians, of business men,
Of officials and in fact with every individ
ual in the District will be needed to make
the campaign Of The Star for fewer acct
dents q success This seemed evident to-
day. both from personal observations
made by a reporter Of The Star and from
a statement made by Maj. Richard syl-
vester. chief Of police. From the numer-
Gus offers Of cooperation which have al
ready been received both from officials Of
this city and from various business cor
porations 1t would appear that this phase
Of the problem will be met successfully.
Speeding vehicles, reckless driving and
general neglect Of the regulations gov
erning the actions Of vehicles must not be
permitted, 1t was pointed out today. Sew
eral persons declared that equal caution
must be used by drivers and pedestrians
II the number Of accidents Is to be low
cred.
Ball Playing in Street.
While 1t was pointed out that ball play
ing in the street and other forms of
childish. amusement were unquestionably
dangerous, 1t was also asserted that au-
tomobile drivers should not exceed the
speed laws, 'cut'' corners or make other
reckless moves. Several instances of this
were seen today.
Commissioner Cuno H. Rudolph asserted
today that II see no violations Of the
speed law in the downtown districts. al
though do see quite little along Con-
necticut avenue. Both drivers Of vehicles
and pedestrians should use equal precau-
lions In preventing accidents"
Asked what lie thought could be done
toward lettering. conditions along this
IT think we should all provide our
selves with clubs and kill the people who
walk about on the streets looking at the
tops of buildings. In France II a man gets
run over while crossing the middle Of the
street he is fined instead OF the driver.
This, Of course. is the other extreme"
The Pedestrians Right.
Mr. Rudolph pointed out that the pedes-
TRAN has q chance to maintain his rights
50 far as vehicles are concerned by TAX
ing the number CT any vehicle nagrantly
violating the law and reporting it to the
police.
Mai. Sylvester explained traflic condi-
lions in the District at length and told
Of some needed reforms.
1.-THE amended rules Of the road" said
Mai. Sylvester, "have resulted In i'm
proved conditions, particularly with re-
spect to lessening the danger to passen-
in the movements OF vehicles at the sew
eral circles. While this Is apparent. there
is not yet general observance OF reduc-
ton of speed at intersecting streets. and
in turning corners, by drivers OF We
hicles. This does not apply to the OPP
orator Of the motor vehicle alone, but to
drivers of horse vehicles. There has beec-
an Improvement but there are thoso~:7ho
profess skill and who are indifferent to
requirements when the police are out OF
sight, and those who do not care when
in hurry.
Others Who Are Ignorant.
There are others who are ignorant Of
what Is required until educated by &C
ton Of the police. The police have been
instructed to give particular attention to
violations Of this character. It has al
ways been apparent that the great fault
ia not in the occasional squirt between
the streets, but in the dangerous cutting
at corners and speeding at crossings.
..While the authorities have given these
matters attention, there are hundreds Of
instances daily where Indifferent pedes-
TRANS are guided to the lines Of safety by
the police. this being particularly In evil
dence at railway intersections, where
crossing policemen are posted. It is the
first time that the regulations as to traf-
fic have embodied any features In an at
tempt to have pedestrians so regulate
their movements as to bring about system
and avoid danger.
| THAT any general consideration has
been given to the suggestion is doubtful.
because of the difficulty in reaching every
Individual with newly promulgated regu-
lations and who must be impressed with
| their observance through practical expert
ence. After all these years II will be =
| slow process to induce the pedestrian to
believe that he has the right Of way over
| the vehicles at street crossings only.
Such, however. IL the regulation and the
] where at his own peril. although drivers