The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-06-05

T., Conn, or the ID. u. r.; AlonZo Il.
Ewing and William G.. Bryant, OF De-
troit; +. =. Goodrich. consulting en-
gineer OF the borough of Manhattan,
New York: II. p. James, head OF the
department of streets, Dayton; A.
NJ. Mandel, of the Dayton bureau OF
municipal research; J. J. Lanahan,
o. the vehicle signal department.
Buffalo; w. p. Hitchcock, commits
sioner OF public safety, Syracuse;
Park Commissioner Dust and Police
Supt Downey.
ID. p. Kingsley. OF New York. pres
ident of the federation, sent his re-
grets by telegraph.
mitteo has to deal with that part OF
safety first work which Is nearest
the heart of the public. and, there
fore, likely instantly to be under
stood" he wired "a recent visit TO
Detroit shows me that you are al
ready far In advance of New York.
and | sincerely hope your committee
may arrive at conclusions which
may inspire the men in charge OF
safety first in this state. The big
problem OF the federation in street
traffic is New York city. and II your
committee. learning from the pro-
gressive cities of the west, will make
recommendation which can be
adopted by the safety first organiza-
ton of New York. you will have rem
dered a real service"
Secretary Elliott offered a compila-
ton OF statistics from so cities. as
follows: Automobiles required to
stop behind street cars, sc; prohibit
glaring headlights, %: provide for
licensing of operators. Al; periodical
animation OF cars, sc; street cars,
near side stop, %; far side stop, 10;
both. II; safety zones at car stops,
80; pedestrians controlled by traffic
officer, 46; safety zones for pedes-
TRANS favored, AZ; lights required
on all vehicles, 81; caution signs o.
approaches to public schools, 10;
compelling horse-drawn vehicles TO
F, be equipped with brakes. 81; in IA
vor of a standard code of traffic reg.
ulations. as.
| The committee decided to report
favorably on school for traffic pa
trolmen. On the question OF hours
It will seek more light. There was
difference OF opinion as to whether
traffic officer should work eight
hours without relief. as has been
tried in New York, or whether he
should work four hours. then have
relief of two hours, and then put
in another four hours. Commission
or Gillespie thought that eight hours
of continuous work would wear out
the men.
The committee also divided on the
subject OF clothing. Mr.. James, Of
Dayton, said that he would hate Il
see a change from the regulation
blue, and thought that any agitation
for lighter colors came mainly from
womens clubs. Mr. Goodrich. o
New York, favored white garb a
night so that the traffic officer coulC
be readily distinguished, and recon
mended that a light be stationed
over the officer.
Commissioner Gillespie led The
way in the discussion of pedestal'
TO mark safety zones, showing how
they must be made with slopinl
bases so that they could not be over
turned by vehicle wheels bearing
down on their edges. and should b'
corrugated, so that horses, stepping
on them, could not slip.
Concerning signals, the committee
wanted more light. COMMISSIONS
Gillespie did not believe that a traf
fic officer should make himself int
a human semaphore, standing 10
eight hours a day with arms out
stretched. but was assured that II
some cities the officers have become
used to il. The committee was uhan
imous in the opinion that a uni
form code of signals should be work
ed out
Commissioner Gillespie announced
his intention of opening information
stations in the heart Of the city. s.
that traffic officers need not be both
cred by questions.
People ask the traffic men al
sorts OF questions he said. The!
want to know il this hotel or tina
is a good one, and how much ii cost.
10 stop there. and where else thel
can get room, and how far il is e
No. ZAP Garland-ave., and what's TIT
best way to get there. and II usual!
takes about five minutes 70 dtrec
such a person. Strangers are char!
of asking qestions OF anybody but
lpolice officer OF course. a traffic
man can't answer these question:
and keep his eye on traffic at th'
same time. Besides. II I'm a stran
ger. and have 100 questions TO ask
/ want good answers, not gruff ones
II want to know what time trail
leaves without having to send al
automobile To the station and fndin.
out from the station maser, as W.
usually have 20 do here. All thes,