Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-10-09
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
TRAFFIC CONGESTION
he Editor Of The TeIeerdeh:

IL
traffic conditions in the streets in our
business district are daily becoming a
more and more pressing problem and
vancement " along metropolitan lines it
is about time some system of traffic
regulation be adopted tending to di-
miniSh the present congestion.
One need but stand q few minutes
near the corners of Third or Fourth
and Market streets, during. the rush
hours, to note the utter confusion that
exists and the trouble our officers are
experiencing in handling the traffic.
Undoubtedly they are doing their
best under the circumstances. but this
fact will always remain. that our
streets are too narrow to accommodate
the ever increasing traffic. Any sys-
tenn that would help regulate this con-
dition would be welcomed not only by
the drivers of vehicles. but by the
pedestrians as well.
The following is suggested as one
means of solving the problem. First;
that 1t be made compulsory that all
traffic in Third street between Chest
nut and Walnut be required to travel
second. that the traffic in Fourth street
between Walnut and Chestnut be re-
quired to move south only.
The result of this will be to cause
the majority of the traffic in Walnut
street, between Third and Fourth. to
move eastward. and in Chestnut street,
between the same points. TO move
1t is to be noted that the above ar
rangement is the present natural course
of travel. causing the least friction, is
continuous and systematic and further
more that at the Market street inter-
sections, with the traffic on the side
resulting blocKades will be reduced one
half. thus saving considerable time and
confusion
the Hill traffic over the Mulberry street
viaduct following the natural route,
and 1t is thought that the resulting ad-
vantages will far outweigh the minor
inconveniences that 1t may cause
The details of putting this system in
to operation are comparatively simple,
requiring a traffic officer at Fourth and
Chestnut in addition to the regular
force, and signs at the alleys in this
district calling attention to the direc-
tion of travel.
interested in this subject of traffic
regulation, and that the outlined sys-
tenn could be given trial with very
public and at small expense.
Harrisburg. Pa. September %. 1915.
DIDN'T RAP GENERAL WOOD
To the Editor of the Telegraph:
Sir: From accounts in the press it
seems as though 1 did not express my
self clearly upon one point, when ad-
Harrisburg on the 4th inst
had no intention of criticising
Major-General Leonard Wood, whom |
regard as the foremost officer of the
army to-day and whom, 1 think, is
doing more than any other single Of
ficer to arouse military interest in this
Nor did L disagree" with General
Wood. as the General makes no claim
that the Plattsburg Camp turned out
men fit to be officers in a months time.
The most that he mas stated is that he
thinks he did as much with the busi-
nessmen as they do with a recruit in
the army in four months, and | beg to
assure you that the most intelligent
recruit is not fitted to be an officer
after four months training in the army.
No military man thinks that these men
were made fit to act as officers while
they were at Plattsburg. for the simple
reason that it would be just as easy
to make a good doctor. or good lawyer
in a month as 1t is to make good Of
ficer. Military science is very complex
and hard to master.
I meant to make it clear that I
thought the progress made by the men
at Plattsburg was wonderful for such
short time. Furthermore. the bust
nessmen realized the limitations that
time put upon them. and know that
they are not fit to act as officers. They
are spreading sound military policy.
What | desired to bring out. however,
idea that officers were being turned
out and that in consequence, more
practical schemes for national defense
might be neglected under the impress
sion that q trained army could be turn
ed out in a very short time.
l also give full credit to the busi-
nessmen for the work that they are
doing, and have done. However hope
that I will be pardoned IL / remark
that you probab bly, have many National
Guard Offices in Harrisburg. who have
worked much harder. at much greater
sacrifice. and under much worse condi-
tions. Many of them have probably
worked for many times more years
than the businessmen did weeks, and
many of them are probably really ef-
ficient as officers Yet / doubt IL they
got one-tenth the press notice and
credit that the businessmen received.
Respectfully,
RICHARD STOCKTON, JR.,
Captain Second New Jersey Infantry.