Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-13
PHILOSOPHER
CLASS|F|ES AUTO|STS
Traffic Officer Tells What Motor
lists Cause Him Most Anxiety
on Streets.


granted. They see people do things, often
strange and unaccountable things, but
their observations are all in the day
work, and they are not given 10 phiios-
ophizing or moralizing on what they see
But now and then one meets q policeman,
who is Of an inquiring turn OF mlnd ana
who looks for the causes of human actions.
IN is not enough for him merely to
observe peoples antics. He wants TO
know the whv. Such person is Policeman
Michael j. Jordan, who has been dong uay
duty as traffic officer at Delaware avenue
and Washington street.
II doubtless will make good reading LOT
motorists 10 know how n traffic oitlcer
views them, and what he thinks OF then
public vagaries. n,
ON the first place." he SAYS, "the traffic
policeman takes his Job seriously, and ne
cannot understand why some people driving
through the streets do not look on the'r
driving as q serious business. But no
Motorists out for good time seem 70 ior-
get the perils that they encounter, or
themselves create.
'When a street is congested with traiiici
filed with vehicles from curb to curb and
with hurrying pedestrians, the safety o., o,
life and limb depend on the care ana sKli, .
Of the drivers Jordan says. In spite oi
this fact, motorists are not required oy
law 10 qualify "a drivers. Nor Is IL pos
sible for tho policeman, except IN rare
cases 10 prevent them from driving cars,
no matter how little skill they may ex-
hihit."
In spite az this fact, that virtually any
ono who can put q car into motion IS per-
mitted 10 drive anywhere, Policeman Jor-
dan pay> the traffic officer has rather
profound respect for the capabilities OF the
driver. lie points out, however, that no
matter how sbillful a person may be at the
wheel. he or she may be dlsquaiiheu oy
temperament from ever becoming saie
ard sane driver. They are the persons, he
asserts, who cause most OF the acoioehts
and annoyance to the traffic officer.
After a study of their characters and
evnlo;,z Jordan divides motorists into
several classes. those who own and operate
ears those who ride behind their own
chauffeurs. the private chauffeur himself
and the public chauffeur. ;.
'rThe man who operates his own car,
this n-philosopher say, ems
10 believe in the Golden Rule, lslnteillgent
thoughtful and anxious TO obey regula--
tions He has regard for the safety oil
those who walk, at the same time not Tor.
getting his own safety and the safety OF
those riding with him. Such man ls easy
10 handle lie recognizes his responsibility.
In short we like 70 deal with the owners
who drive their own cars, and wish there
were more Of them.
In tho second class, Jordan puts the
owner who employs chauffeur, mas
money ready 20 paw the fines II his chaui-
feur i hailed up for violations of the traffic
rules. and is generally in great hurry to
GO somewhere. Saws Jordan, HE doesn I
start from home till the last minute,
usually. and then takes chance, never
doubling his chauffeur ability to get any
where. on time, no matter how impossible
the task may be.
"The private chauffeur, jordan con-
hnues. depends on his employer $ ability
and willingness to paw all fines and damag-
es,and believeA' thoroughly IN his employer
influence with the powers that be, what
ever that means, which gives him con-
hdence and tends 60 make him indifferent
10 the rights of others.
mn, theye Is a sll,-division Of the private
chauffeur class to whom the traffic police
man takes OF his hat. metaphorlcslly-
speaking. THIS rs the coachman-chauifeur
III usually comes from the box OF his en-
Movers carriage, Is generally past middle
life has family whose welfare ne
must guard, and is, moreover, familiar
with traffic rules. having driven horse
drawn vehicles for many wears. lie ap-
preciates has responsibility and drives his
car carefully. from habit, maybe, but none
the less carefully.
The commercial chauffeur is the bane Of
the traffic policeman and the greatest
menace 20 the public, according to Oflcer
Jordan. To quote the policeman: He
generally operates a vehicle of high ton
mage his occupation taking HIM to all
parts OF the CITY, to some localities where
traffic policemen are unknown. His
vehicle Is not geared for high speed, but
generally heavilv-laden, becomes a danger
ous weapon IN the hands of a careless
operator-owner. This man carries accident
insurance He is ready at flmost any
time. in return for a sman tip, TO take a
chance 10 accommodate a passenger. lie
is out for the money, and in many cases
doesn't welcome police regulations. This
type of driver who takes the rights of
Others is a source of constant worry and
trouble to the traffic policeman.
Policeman Jordan gives a few hints to
motorists. Study the traffic rules
Don't weld to the speed mania. A pedes-
TRAN has lawful right to cross street
and a careful conscientious driver will
protect him, especially if it happens to be
a child. Do not set your Judgment above
that of the traffic policeman. Be quick tc
observe, and respond to his signals.
BUSINESS WOMEN.