The New York herald., 1920-01-18

William McAdoo. CHIEF City Magistrate
and the father OF New York's Traffic
squad ard traffic regulations. believes
that something must be done immediately
20 stop the tremendous number OF kill
ngs and maimings by automobiles in this
city. He thinks this can best be brought
about by increasing the force of traffic
policemen at once from the eight hum
dred now on post to t~7ee that number.
Helpful co-ope ration might be provided
~ a committee OF conscientious drivers
&nd owners who would report 10 the au-
shorities ali violations that come within
their notice with the ultimate purpose o.
Sringing about the revocation Of the
eclSlcss drivers licenses.
Chief Magistrate NcAdoo was asked 20
,ufn up the automobile situation follow p
'ns q suggestion that has bce0 made 10
the HERALD that reputable citlze ns BE- Sp-
pointed as vlgfantcs 70 keep watch on the
faer-,ntly reckless drivers. such schemes
having heen adopted in other cities. The
Crief Ma gistrste thought this would be
IN excellent idea for New York city ap-
nointing yigilantes 10 act as monitors but
without noWer Of arrest This method
oe vigilance vould differ from others that
have been tried. IN that previous attempts
we're unauccesstul because many OF the
specis1Iy deputized drivers Immediately
imagined that they themselves had the
power to ignore traffic regulations 1t
was explained that a league for the mo-
torists' protection has been formed, which
is somewhat on the order OF the viSi-
lantes. but that reports regarding the
operation OF the scheme are too few to be
able to form an opinion yet.
Most Pressing Needs.
while believing that a >yigiisrtes'
scheme would aid the situation If con-
rinued faithfully Magistrate McAdoo
sums up the more pressing necessities as
foIlcws:-
l. Require more searching exauina-
tions for licenses for owners az we'll as
drivers
,. Double at least the present Poiice
Traffic Squad and drill and train them
thoroughly for their special work.
j. Mako the law regarding suspension
and revocation OF licenses more direct
md practicable.
''rhe regulation Of vehicuIar traffic In
lie Borough of Manhattan" he said, 'is
one OF tho greatest problems that con-
front the people, having regard to the
safety Of the community.
THE island is not growing any larger
md the number OF vehicles, especially
motor cars, Is increasing every year by
hundreds OF thousands. The naimings
and killings approximate TO battle ccndi-
lions. No man. woman or child who is
out any hour OF the day or night is safe.
have been run down myself and injured,
and in walking from this office to my
home every day incur the usual risks to
pedestrians. which 7 know are very great.
THE problem. g seems 20 me, is a
physical one. Various solutions Of ii have
been offered such as making an arcade
of Sixth avenue, tunneling Fifth avenue.
opening up y new thoroughfare between
Fifth and sixth avenues leading TO the
park These schemes may or may not be
practica bic, but they will cost great
deal of money. beset the opposition Of
property owners and arc bound TO take a
long time in being carried out. In the
meantime the maining5 and slaughters
90 on.
Fines Fail 10 Deter.
People say what is the use OF the Traf-
fic Court and the efforts of the police
whsn they don't stop these accidents.
why is il that ia spite OF the fact that
last year the Traffic Court collected
i2s2. 600 in fines still the dangers Of the
streets seem 20 have increased rather