The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-11-03
Frederick Haskln's Letter
Especial Correspondents AEusA
No Parking.
Especial Correspondents c

Washington, D. c., Nov. 1.-The
capital is all tangled up in its au-
tomobile problem, which Here, as
almost everywhere else, becomes
more distressing every year! Fur
thermore, in Washington the stu
alton is complicated BY that unique
spider web Of streets and avenues
which the ingenious 1'Enfant con-
structed at the behest of George
Washington and to the confusion
of everyone who drives a car.
At the present time it is not the
driving but the parking of cars
which is stirring the emotions OF
our great capital, RELOCATING world
armament and taxation to second
airy positions. If the street system
of Washington is unique, its park
ing problem is typical, and is one
which every city Of its class in this
country is struggling with.
There are plainly only two ways
to solve the problem in the long
run. One is to forbid all parking
In the downtown section, and the
other is to provide some system OF
public garages in that section.
where shoppers may store their
cars. It is manifestly out of the
question to let the cars go piling
up at the curbs, surging through
the streets, blocking street car traf.
nc and knocking down pedestrians.
The condition is already bad and
growing worse.
The Washington commissioners
thought to solve the problem by
the first method. They issued an
order stating that after a certain
date about month off there would
be no parking during the greater
part of the day in the downtown
section They designated a section
OF the city about ten blocks long
and six wide. Anyone willing ana
able to walk from three to five
blocks would still be able to reach
the heart Of the business section
without inconvenience. But it ap-
peared that ne one was willing to
walk that far. The publication of
the order brought forth a striking
demonstration of the extent to
which people have come to depend
upon their cars. Practically with
out exceptions the motorists pro-
claimed that a terrible hardship
was being worked upon them. They
were being asked to walk 800 or
400 yards every day, and in some
instances individuals might have to
walk gas much as half a mile. It
was not merely injustice, it was
cruelty,
The Anti-Walking Movement
Father walked three miles to
school and back every day. begin
ning when he was years old, and
he walked down town every. day
until about 1911. Grandfather. who
was a pioneer, walked across the
mountains, and always
Ielt that he needed about Is miles
/ day to keep him in health. But
10 the present generation, foot
5 merely something with which to
step on the gas.
The motorist is a docile bird. He
,beys a complicated lot of laws. |
He lets policemen cuss him and /
oar at him without ever losing his |
,mile. But do not ask him to walk |
That is an insult.
And the insulted motorist was1
packed up in his complaint by the |
merchant He said and !
evidently believed that trade would |
Re ruined if cars were kept out of |
he business section. He evidently |
believes that shopping is for many |
,ersons, especially women. q semi
outdoor sport followed in motor +!
ars, and one which would be less !
popular on foot. Doubtless he is |
o some extent right. Yet it is |
lard to believe that the total |
mount of retail sales in any city !
would be reduced in the long run !
" a rufe keeping the cars out of |
he business section. People will |
till have the same needs and de- |
Tres to satisfy.