The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-19


i any in the world a school for
education of traffic policemen has
Just been established at Police Head
quarters In this school the men will
be taught how to regulate traffic In a
big city. Recruits will be instructed
not to exact impossibilites. IL II Is
necessary to speak to driver they will
be told to do so quietly. They must not
threaten nor yell at him.
London is proud of her constable who
makes it possible for pedestrians to cross
the street in safety among the omni-
buses and cabs at the junction OF ira
falgar Square and the Strand. Paris
il also proud of her traffic force. but
New York should excel both cities after
the new school begins to turn out Its
graduates.
The school will be in the nature OF
a preparatory institution, in which men
who are candidates for traffic work Will
he taught what to do. Men now in
the traffic service may eventually be
ordered to take post graduate course,
but at present II is only Intended to pre-
pare policemen for the traffic division
work.
II has heretofore been the custom
when men applied for traffic assignment
to examine them only briefly as to
their knowledge of the regulations. Now
candidates for such work must be not
less than six feet tall They Will be
put through a two weeks course of
tuition and those who show the neces-
sary aptitude will be placed on the
eligible list. When vacancies occur
they will be detailed.
p-t4-
missioner to make the work OF the
traffic division uniform. He wants
system whereby a signal TO stop or to
20 ahead will be the same in Manhattan.
The Bronx or Brooklyn. This viii be
one object OF the school.
In city OF the size OF New York
the regulation OF traffic is regarded rs
one of the most important functions OF
the police. II has to be handled in an
efficient and intelligent manner be-
cause of the vast volume OF merchandise
and the enormous number of passengers
In transit daily. The movement Of all
vehicles, both passenger and CONNER
cia. must be facilitated. and they must
be permitted the greatest speed con-
sistent with safety and convenience.
Probably few persons who travel New
forks streets have any adequate idea
OF the constant effort that is necessary
to keep them open and unobstructed
for traffic. II IL no easy matter, the
handling OF the wheeled vehicles OF a
big city, and II requires all the at
tentlon Of the traffic division under
command OF Inspector Thomas Meyers.
New plans have to be devised con-
stantly. unlocked for complications
must he unravelled Immediately, and a
careful eye must be kept on the future
In order that the department may not
be taken unaware.
There is always a reason for the con.
gestion of traffic. II can be frequently
attributed to q truck backed up to
the sidewalk ne: an excavation or In
a street so narrow that other vehicles
cannot pass, or TO a driver who has at
tempted to turn a loaded truck in the
middle of the street. Congestion is also
caused by a loaded truck taking to the
centre of the street particularly one
with car tracks, and thus retarding the
lighter and faster vehicles. In winter
congestion may be caused by heavy
snowstorm or horse slipping on the
ice covered pavement
New Workers have reason to be proud
OF the traffic policemen. BY watching
the big Hand" term used by the
drivers for the policemen at crossings
you will understand what they are
worth to you. whether you are on foot
or wrapped In furs. a merchant with
goods en- route with hurry order or
chap behind the reins. With the leas
possible waste OF time. with the maxi
mum of courtesy and despatch for al
without distinction, the traffic policeman
hastenS business or pleasure and keep,
the vast transportation system in per
feet operation.
The triumphs Of the traffic division
are not confined TO regulating the flash
ing bcwildering panorama in Fifth ave
nue.. Day in and day out tho hardes
work is done in the lower section
Of town. with no dainty. admirins
femininity to squire between pavementa
There ponderoua, heavy laden truck
and scramblinS teams hammer ant
plunge and btunder by thousand
through the network Of narrow way
about the ferries. minsling and inter
fering and coliidins in the haste o
heavy business. Tho trafio man -
signed TO a crossing in tho lower $50
ton of the town knows little of tn
latest fashions in gowns. He IL Their
to, keep clumsy vehicles and olumsie
drivers and clumsiest draught horse
from falling into Brobdingnagian foot
ball game.
Every minute brings . now knot I
be united, a new quarrel TO settle and
new question Of precedence to arbltrat,
The inquirer who wants to know hoy
men are managed, how quick decision
are made and carried out saving hea
or Jar or waste Of energy can take
lesson from q member OF tho tram
division
The slowly westward moving hne
checked. Half the eastward bound lin
rumbes on, and from half way dow
the block a chorus Of yells and shout
indicates trouble. Other trucks ar
adding continually 10 tho pressure froi
behind both lines. Trouble Ia imminen
\ n,at, i've mounted policeman dashe
FORWARD into the vortex. At the centr
Of the blockade two trucks have locke
wheels, the horses stamping and snor'
Ing, the drivers abusing each otht
hueptly and nercely.
''OAt guy wouldn't gimme room Z 4