New Britain herald., 1921-06-30
COMMUNICATED
On the Gasoline Pump Argument.

To the Editor of The Herald:
 have read with interest your edi- torial in reference to curb-side gaso- line pumps and the comparative con- venience to the motor drivers of pumps so placed and those inside the lot line. From my observation, can. not believe that there is any advant- age to the driver who stops which would outweigh the inconvenience to hose who have to work their way ground the cars standing in the road directly in the path of the traffic. May cite two examples which seem to me typical of the ge1ieral condition?
 Near the north end..og Hartford avenue there are two such pumps at the curb on directly opposite sides of the street. When cars are stopped at both of them the roadway is reduced until there is but room for one car to pass between them. There is a curve in the road which hides the pumps from view as cars come from tho north, until they are quite near. and I. have repeatedly seen drivers forced to make a quick stop to avoid
 
 heavy as this location is on the main road to Hartford. and it seems to me very unwise to permit the installation of anything which would cause even a partial obstruction at this point. As to convenience,there is another station within a few hundred yards where the owner has considerably placed his pumps well off the roadway.
 Aoa iy inc ley street. there is a gasoline pump placed as far out into the street as it IS possible to go without being in the rificing a part of his lawn could put the pump entirely out of the street. I here are a tree and trolley pole di- rectly across the street near the curb, the distance a car could turn out in emergencies. When a car isl stopped at the pump and-as happens 2 number of times every day-there is one standing across the street there is room for but one to pass between. Many drivers pass his point at higb | increases the liability of accident. I believe that the added con 1 venience to the man who stops will in l
  ience to the many others which is by his stopping-to say noth- ng of the danger of accidents; par licularly when there is another sta ion less than two hundred feet away which is out of the road and yet cas- ly accessible.
 I think that the same condition 'ould be found to exist in nearly every 'erve cars if the curb-side pumps were C ound-that the benefit to one driver \ ho stops is more than. cancelled by Le inconvenience to the many who ,ass, and that there is usually a near " station off the street which could erve cars if he curb-side pumps were lbolished. I think it will also be ound. in the greater number of in that the owners could find a way to withdraw their pumps to their 'wn property and provide standing oom for cars while being served If hey found it necessary to do so. The treets are the property of the public nd should be reserved for the undi- ided use of the public and not be iven over in any way to private use, under present conditions 'hen it is more and more necessary ( T use every means possible to provide abilities for uninterrupted traffic on he principal thoroughfares-whe lese trespassing pumps seem univers- u lily to be found. I understand that there arc sixteen | urb-side gas pumps in the city. In t her words. fifteen or sixteen vend- a rs have. by the use O. public prop t -ty, secured an advantage over others c ot so favored. Why not give the a her fellow a little consideration in r. le premises? u
 PROPERTY OWNER, u