The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-31
UNIFORM SIGNPOSTS
h MAYS SUGGESTION
Should BE Put Up by State,
but at Private
Expense.
WANTS $4,000 FOR IT
Local Authorities Should Have
No Control, He
Believes.
WANTS $4,000 FOR IT

Impressed by the lnadequacy and total
lack of uniformity in existing sign posts,
such as are furnished at present by the
local authorities and automobile clubs,
Mitchell May. Secretary of State. is advo-
eating scheme for the provision of a
system OF uniform sign posts to be erected
upon the public highways throughout the
State.
In an article appearing In Motordom
the Secretary points out that what Ia de-
manded at the present time is a sys-
tematic erection OF adequate direction
and warning sign posts upoa a definite
basis. He believes that such posts should
be placed In prominent positions. unob-
secured by trees or fences and easily legi-
bic and should be made to indicate not
only the names and mileage distances of
neighborIng places, but also the name OF
the locality In which they stand.
As the State authorities have no power
10 pay out any part OF the public moneys
toward providing these slgns-although
motorists have paid nearly $4,000, 900 in
fees during the last twelve years---Mr
May proposes that sum of about s25, 900
be raised by public subscription for this
purpose. to be administered by the state
and local authorities In cooperation with
the automobile associations.
The Secretary believes that this amount
will go far toward providing an effective
system OF sign posts, as the automobile
association already possesses the neces-
sary machinery and expert knowledge to
carry out the work In conjunction with
the State and local authorities by means
OF the town, county and State highway
inspectors and other officials, numberIrg
several hundred.
THE present sign posts OF warning or
direction" says Mr.. May. have been gem
orally regarded ne Inadequate for the
needs OF the modern use of public high
ways. both in their number. visibility and
the scope OF the information afforded
When the roads were originally sign
posted the work was carried out rather
With reference to the purely local than
with regard to through traffic conditions.
Consequently at the present time when
a motorist Is touring from Albany TO Buff
falo he finds within "A great distance from
his destination sign posts referring to un-
important villages. but not a single one to
the larger cities. The fact that these posts
have been and are still within the hands
OF the local authorities and local automo-
bile clubs has effectually precluded any
possible uniformity.
THE State and local authorities have
long appreciated the situation confronting
motH tourists ia this State. Having the
equipment necessary Tor the task ana with
sum OF at least s25, 900 they could prac-
t!cally transform all the main highways
throughout the State and set an example
which would enable the automobile assoc
Citations TO complete the work. This would
be useful not only to motorists, but to all
users Of the highways.
For danger purposes and for the fur
Their safeguarding Of the roads, warning
signs could be issued without charge 10
local authorities, but these only when
they would be considered necessary 10
point out otherwise unsupported dan
gers. since their needless multiplication
would diminish their effectiveness. Con-
sequently no sign would be posted w!thou;
an Inspection had been previously made OF
the locality by one Of the proper officials
AS TO the types OF the direction signs
best adapted FOREMOST effectually indicat-
ing the different routes at various juno.
lions. both urban and rural, preference
should be given to those which could be
best adjusted to the varying conh!t ions
existing on the roads, cheaply manufac.
tured and maintained. easily erected
soundly constructed and visible at suffi
Client distance"