Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-07

Belief that the betterment of traf-
nc conditions has it's true basis in the
passing of law which would compel
pedestrians to cross the streets at
crossings. is the opinion of the special
traffic committee named by the A. A.
A., District of Columbia Division, for
the purpose Of submitting recon-
recently appointed by the District
Commissioners.
Chairman r. H. Johnston of the A.
A. A. committee will arrange to have
It's spokesman appear before the au-
tomobile board whenever it suits the
convenience of Maj. Besson and his
associates. Mr.. Johnston was a resi-
dent of New York city for many years
and has had to do with Il multitude of
matters connected with the use of
motor-driven vehicles. Former Cor
poration Counsel Conrad H. Syme,
who will present the complete A. A.
A. conclusions to the automobile
board. is thoroughly conversant with
District conditions. The other MEM
bers of the A. A. A. committee. John
Oliver La Gorce. Jerry A. Mathews. J.
Harry Cunningham and NJ. o. Ell
bridge. are long time residents Of the
District.
Divided Into Two Sections.
Several meetings of the committee
its findings into two sections: Things
which can be put into effect by the
District Commissioners under the
present law and matters which must
await action by Congress.
The positive need for regulation of
the pedestrian has been accepted in
, not a few cities. notably Buffalo,
where the new regulation is now in
effect under an ordinance adopted by
the city government. The phraseology
of the ordinance is exact and reads as
follows:
THE carriageway of all streets, ex-
cept at crosswalks or points so spe-
cially designated by the chief of po-
lice by easily visible signs or mark
ings, are for the exclusive use of vehi-
/ cles and animals, and it shall be I'M
lawful for any person to cross the
! street at any point except the cross
walk or other point so specially desig-
! mated.
neither will vehicles and pedestrians"
! comments Mr.. Johnston. who con-
tended for pedestrian regulation in
! New York city over ten years ago.
AT that time any talk OF regu-
! lating the foot passenger was mark
, eddy unpopular" says Mr.. Johnston.
but it was the belief of d group of
men with whom I was associated
that we would never make a real
| beginning until We established two
facts: One that the pedestrian must
cross at the crossing. and the other
that he could expect protection at
that point. thus placing dual re-
spon sibility on both walker and OPP
orator.
Protection for Vehicles.
IF the pedestrian can demand pro-
lection when he uses that part of
the street which is set aside for him.
| viz. the sidewalk. it logically fol-
lows that to the fullest possible ex-
tent the roadway should be preserved
for vehicular traffic Granted that
the pedestrian must cross the street,
he should be made to realize that his
safety and consideration of others
calls for use of the crossing. which
should be exactly defined, so that no
doubt could exist in the premises.
In observing the traffic policemen
on 9Th avenue in New York city re-
quiring pedestrians to cross only with
| the stream of vehicle traffic. my mind
naturally goes back a decade, when
we had the hardihood to suggest that
such a regulation should be put into
| effect.
while outside of the business dis