Evening journal., 1921-11-28
LESS HOSTILE TO
AUTO TOURISTS
Smaller Towns Change At
titude and Attempt Fewer
Regulations
GREATER SPEED, BUT
BAN RECKLESSNESS

one OF those pretty little towns
which dot the Lincoln highway in
Pennsylvania. and which have be-
come noted for their quiet beauty
and their hospitality to the trav-
eler, has long been distinguished by
a pair OF signs placed at the munic-
ipal limits on the Lincoln highway
in such a position that tourists en-
tering the community from either
the East or West could not help but
read them. says the Washington
Post. Each bore in large letters
the inscription. Drive slow and see
our town; drive fast and see our
Jail"
Few tourists were inclined to see
anything Objectionable in this
rather unusual method OF calling
their attention TO the necessity OF
prudent and careful driving in the
community. It has remained for
for the town itself to take exception
to this form OF welcome. The city
council has just been. petitioned by
a local organization OF business men
TO remove the signs as being in poor
taste (in addition to poor English)
and an exceedingly inhospitable
welcome to the traveller. The signs
will be removed.
Nothing is no noticeable to the
veteran tourist OF today as the
change OF attitude which character
ICES the smaller communities OF the
country toward the motor transient
Less and less does one encounter in
driving about the country, even in
the most remote villages, the arbi-
trary signboard Of old with its
large and rude "Warning," as a
heading and the legend. Speed
limit miles an hour" Nowadaws
the sign is more likely to read.
Welcome to Bloomville. Please
drive moderately" and the latter.
while showing a new attitud, %
ward the motorist and a more
hospitable and friendly feeling. is
also 90 per cent. better Psychology.
The first is obviously not meant TO
be complied with; the second OBJ
viously is. and while being much
better business for the community.
also goes much further toward ac-
complishing It's primary purpose.
that OF assuring safety OF life and
limb on town streets.
Ultimately all arbitrary State and
local speed limits. expressed in
miles. will be discarded-safety and
tho rights OF the Interstate tourists
demand chat. Gradually. Eastern
States are following the example OF
California In raising their open
country speed limits 70 35 miles pei
hour and establishing a uniform
limit for communities OF varyini
size. When all arbitrary limits are
removed the one injunction, 10 al
ways. under any circumstances
drive safely. will be strictly en-
forced
Less and less are the arbitrar'
speed limits existing by statute
enforced in our various villages
towns and cities or on the open
country road. when they were en-
forced II was largely done for th'
mulcting or the motorist, and whei
they are not enforced they had
better be removed and replaced b,
reasonable and uniform State-wid'
statutes known 10 every American
tourist.
All speed limits have been re-
moved from French roads. In com
pliance with the demand Of puhii
sentiment. the government hal
recognized that arbitrary spee'
limits arc no protection 10 users o
the road. but are often a legal clul
with which motorists may be prose
cuted.
Automobile drivers are hell
strictly responsible for any acci
dent which they may cause. bu
Z. otherwise no limits are imposed ex
cept on commercial and passenger
" carrying vehicles weighing NOR
than 3 tons. For these spec
d limit is maintained.