Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-10-25
rs, 1917
so FAR, so GOOD.


excellent beginning to bring about
safety upon the streets. More police
men were needed to guard the people
against negligence by vehicle drivers.
The principal need here Of policemen
is for protection against yiolators of
traffic rules. Barring thieving, an
occasional burglary and fight. few
offenses have been committed since
booze selling was barred.
Given the promised facilities for
experimenting drivers, the police can
do more effective work. It might be
found effective for a motorcycle Off
Ger to sometimes go scouting without
uniform. The placing Of indicators
in certain street crossings viii! aid to
prevent cutting corners, Sometimes
it has seemed safer for a pedestrian
to cross in the middle Of a block than
to risk the short turns made at cor
ners by auto drivers,
But with all the now spirit shown
toward law enforcement ~ the city
commission and the .o,i"e. the latter
will fall down more or less # not
given confidence that they wilt he sus-
tanned by enforcement Of fines that
will be effective and no, farcical. Also
by assurance that no. even the friends
of city commissioners can secure IN
tervention. At times policemen have
been told by men warned against
violation of traffic rules that the Of
Tended would "gct" the officiating
policeman, and resentful women have
alleged insult and threatened % make
trouble. Persons who are inconsid-
crate of the public deserve no len
iency or individual consideration. no
matter what their station.
Safety zones marked by painted
white lines across paving would serve
to remind crossers to stay within
bounds, and would also indicate to
drivers places for stopping when
trolley cars are at stand. with Dassen-
gers emerging or entering In the
large cities such safety zones are use
full. There is not anywhere much eff
fort to arrest lay walkers" The
streets cannot be polced for that pur-
pose and the acts of pedestrians en-
danger only themselves.
Where a traffic officer is now sta,
toned efficiency is noted. but the
Recommendation of recent jury for
a change in method of signaling has
merit. Too often the officer con-
fuses with club in motion, with or
without purpose, unconsciously or In
nervous manner. Generally the au-
tomato signals. once in favor, have
been discarded N cities, and a traffic
officer is required to face about to
block a direction b. extending his
arms. then reversing as occasion de-
mands. Drivers and all others are
thus given unmistakable information
and can act confidently, instead of be-
ing confused.
One of the worst dangers is due to
the old village habit of placing ve-
hicles in front Of business houses
Central avenue is largely filled by a
car line that must be kept clear. The
parked automobiles, with rear extend
ing close to the car line. constantly
fill the space on certain blocks from
corner to corner. A pedestrian at 8
crossing has no clear view until he
goes actually upon the passageway
of a coming vehicle. Nor standing
upon the walk waiting for a trolley
car, can he see its approach without
going into the driveway.
Every city has had to encounter
opposition from auto owners, to stop
ping such parking. But if farmer!
with hay-wagons were to thus bloch
a business section. there would be &
lively demand from the merchants fol
removal of the obstruction. And i
would 60
But no matter what regulations ant
provisions exist unless there be fixe6
and firm responsibility emanatins
from the commissioners themselves
and enforced all the way down the
line, there will be but slow improve.
ment in present conditions. And
there will be more deaths; more
baby killers"