The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-26

bership of the club costs but SIS a |
year, the money being expended in
ways that the directors of the club
deem best for the welfare of automo-
bilists. One use for the money is
is easily demonstrated nearly every
day.
Started "SiIent Policemen"
The local club in Bridgeport was
the first to inaugurate the Silent po-
licemen" to be found at many of the
corners in the city. They secured
permission from the traffic depart
ment to erect these posts as an ex-
pertinent and so successful have they
proven that the police authorities
have bought and installed many of
them. The club also was one of the
factors in placing the VARIOUS signs
throughout the city, both in regula-
ton of traffic and also to parking.
While this part of the country is
rather well fixed as regards to signs
at the cross roads, the club has at it's
where none were provided, enabling
the tourist to be definitely certain of
just where he is going and how far
it is.
F'avors Block Paving.
Mr.. Staples when asked what he
thought of the paving question which
is at the present time one of Bridge
ports vital problems, said that he
would divide the paving question into
| two different parts. For those streets
where noise is to be reduced to a min
| imum he advocates the use of wooden
blocks. These cost more than sew
eral other kinds of paving but for
general results they are the best in
Mr.. Staples opinion. The wood blocks
| should also be used where there is
little heavy traffic as they are liable to
deteriorate rapidly where heavy traf-
| fic is put over them.
For heavy traffic streets, and where
noise is not Objectionable, Mr.. Staples
recommends granite blocks. These
blocks wear well, and the street is al
ways easy to repair. The cost of
these granite blocks is higher than
other paving also but taking every
thing into consideration, they will
probably prove cheaper in the end.
Abolish '"-r' Rails.
Another improvement advocated by
Mr.. Staples, and one which he at one
time secured in part measure for
Bridgeport, is the use of the groove
rail instead of the 'I0t rail by the
Connecticut Trolley company. 1.-THE
'"T'' rail is source of constant dam
ger in wet and slippery weather for
the reason that in order to cross the
tracks a vehicle must be turned at a
sharp angle and this generally if not
always causes the rear of the vehicle
to skid. While some of the skids
are not very bad still every once in a
while, an accident happens which may
be traced directly to these rails. 1t
is common sight in a city where the
"T' rails are used to see a heavy
truck try for more than a block to
get out of the car tracks, and finally
have to give it up until a more favor
able spot presents itself.
Not only is the ''T' rail dangerous
to vehicles, but it is also hindrance
to traffic and involves the traffic situa-
: ton a great deal more than neces-
sary. 1t is easily seen that in a. street
: on which there are two lines of car
tracks there cannot be great mar
gin at either side especially when
there are vehicles parked beside the
curb. If a slow moving truck of any
sort gets caught in the car tracks
and is unable to get out because OF
the "T' rails everything coming
: along behind it is necessary slowed
down, fast and slow moving vehicles
alike.
The use of the groove rail would
= prevent this as it has been definitely
. demonstrated that it is easy to eros:
these rails at long angle and equal
S ly easy for vehicles to get out o.
} them. The long angle which can BIZ
/ taken in crossing prevents the skid
S ding which generally occurs in cross
e ing the ''T"' rails at the sharp angle.