The Topeka state journal., 1919-08-16
Traffic Officer Brush Kept Busy
by the "Jays."
Street Repairing at Eighth and
Kansas Avenue Confusing.
MANY TRY TO TURN SHORT
Pedestrians as Well as Motor
lists Get 'sBalled Up"
Visitors From Larger Cities
Know What To Do.

average person uses his head" was the
observation of Officer Brush. the traf-
fic officer at Eighth and Kansas ave-
nue., the other morning as he at
tempted every few minutes to-
straighten out a tangle in the even
flow of vehicles caused by the work
now under way at the intersection.
The traffic regulations say that no
vehicle shall turn except at intersec-
tions. But with the street all block
AIDED from the work there is no inter-
section. Yet nine out of ten drivers
attempt to turn at either end of the
space being work on instead OF driv-
ing on up to Ninth or Seventh. Wheth-
er they never think of going to the
end of the block or whether they Just
want to see II they can do 1t and get
away with it, I don't know"
The trials of a traffic officer are
many and manifold. Now, with the
present congestion at the corner they
are much worse. Later when work
progresses there will be two spans put
in, one north and one south of Eighth
street and there will only be one track
for the street cars to cross the avenue
on. During this period a constant
pected. There will be times when the
congestion will extend a block in eth
er direction from Eighth street. Then
the watchfuI eye of the traffic officer
Will be doubly busy.
Rules for Safety to All.
I'VE are trying to train Topeka
drivers to go to the end of the block
before turning, when driving in
either direction on Kansas avenue.
1t is not so much that it is absolutely
necessary that they do so now as it is
for their own protection. There is no
arbitrariness in the enforcement of
any of the traffic regulations. 1t is
eyv nF0faCtfnn
both the driver and pedestrian. When
the congestion increases as cars are
routed thru on one track, then it
would be really dangerous, very dan
gerous to both motor drivers and Pc
destrians If cars were permitted to
make a short cut around just out
side the work area. That is the rea-
son we are trying to teach drivers to
go to the end of the block. Much
trouble will be avoided when the
greater congestion begins"
1t is probable that every motor car
driver in Topeka knows Officer
Brush at least by sight, and he knows
most of them. 1t is with kindly
courtesy and a true gentlemanly in
stinct that he gives instructions and
enforces the traffic regulations on the
corner. His method Of dealing with
the public usually leaves him the
friend OF the man he has warned
rather than an enemy. His method is
direct but tactful. On account of the
business of the corner and the gen.
eral lack of knowledge on the part
of the majority of drivers on traffic
methods and regulations in large cities
it makes the corner at Eighth and
Kansas one of exceeding difficulties.
especially at time OF day when traffic
is heaviest.
City Drivers Know Rules.
'I notice." said officer Brush, that
I Il
from large cities. They take one look
at the closed intersection and beat it
on to the next corner. When an in
tersection is closd they can see it and
don't waste any time talking about it.
Small town drivers need more atten-
ton, and 1t is surprising how many
Topeka drivers have to be told"
Then there are the jay-walkers.
Now that the work is in progress they
cannot cut across very easily and go
where they should. But it is a COM
mon sight daily to see the traffic Of
ficer go out in the street to get some
one blithely unconscious of danger or
of the fact that they are causing a
delay in traffic, as motors almost stop
wondering where the wandering one
is headed for. This error in judgment
is committed most frequently by old
persons who do not know that in
creasing traffic has made it unlaw-
ful to cut across corners. Persons
from small towns and the country Of
ten try the same thing. Again many
Topeka women who know better do
the same thing vainly attempting to
run down a street car.
Then there are the reckless drivers
who dash madly across intersections
when crowds are attempting to get on
and off street cars.
Simple Crossing Rule.
There is a rule for street crossing
that is very simple, says Officer
Brush. When crossing a street, look
first to the left and when near the
middle of the street, look to the right
Don't try to run or hurry but go de-
liberately across watching carefully
for traffic. II this rule were followed
many accidents to pedestrians would
be avoided.
The traffic officer is busy every day
but until improvements are completed
at Eighth and Kansas he is going to
be buster than ever.
Congressman Gallivan of Massachusetts,
says that certain members of the house
have stored nD enough liouor last them