Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-03-02
AUTO nus REGULATION.

The purpose OF the Directors OF the !
street and Sewer Department to
adept regulations FOR the use OF streets
by the automobile buses that have
become so numerous In our city
owing 20 the financial attractiveness
of the business. Il is prcsumed--is
proper and timely. All who have oc-
oasion to make general use OF the
streets. even those who ride in the
busses. have concern In the matter,
a. safety should be the first consid-
Grafton. and safety is one OF the chief
ends aimed at by the proposed regu-
lations.
II has been noticeable since the
advent Of tho auto busses that one
purpose ~ their operators has been
to compete as closely as possible with
the trolley lines, and the physical
character OF this competition is both
annoying and dangerous. The cstab-
hshed regulations compel the trolley
cars 20 stop at n designated side Of
the cross street and where the trolley
cars stops 70 discharge and take on
passengers. there also the busscs stop.
The result. frequently. is that pas
senscrs for the trolley cars are COM
pollod 20 walk in the narrow space
between the bus and the car in order
10 board the latter. a procedure both
annoying and risky. This may be
noticed very markedly at the south
east corner Of Market and Fifth
streets. where many persons assemble
20 board the trolley cars. II is obvi-
QUE that the busses could halt at the
northeast corner with as much pro-
motion to their business. and with far
more convenience and safety TO the
public.
other considerations also call for
stricter regulation OF auto bus traffic.
our streets, by reason OF the large in
crease In the use OF automobiles. are
now very much congested during the
day and night. especially those in the
central business section. On streets
traversed by trolley lines. this con-
eostion Is markedly enhanced. and
II can truly be said there Is no rea-
sonablc room on them for the add
tionsl traffic OF the auto busses.
In view Of the enhanced proba bility
of accidents from tho use OF the
streets by auto busses. the proposed
provision requiring their owners &c
give indemnity bonds to the CITY is
fair and practical. They are an ad-
dEional incentive TO accidents for
which We city would De held primarily
responsible by victims and this Is the
only manner In which the city may
be safe-guarded against the hnancia
penalties attending actions which re
suit in verdicts for the plaintiffs.
The most interesting provision il
the resolution now pending before tn,
Street and Sewer Directors is tha
which woult prohibit auto busse
travcrsing streets on which trolle.
lines are operated. except at place
where the use o, the thoroughfare
would be necessary in order 70 ALLOW
the busses ingress 20 and egress from
the city. Many OF the streets trav
erseG by trolley lines are not wild
enough 20 accommodate ordinary We
hicular traffic In addition. except Z
very restricted extent. and regula
bus traffic on such streets could nc
help proving an obstruction and
hazard. IL weuld be better for a
concerned 10 prohibit auto bus traffi
on such thofoughfares.
This is the first time the genera
subject Of the regulation OF auto bu
traffic has come up for consideration
and in view o. the large increase
the number Of bus lines. il has be
come absolutely necessary to considt
., In its entirety. In the final deter
minatioa it viii be necessary for Cit
Council 10 take part In the gener'
consideration, for the purpose OF se'
ing that the city receives a fair rev,
nue. from the liberal and evident
probable auto bus traffic that h;
grown up in our city.
These auto bus lines enjoy the u
OF the city streets, at present pr
miscuously. They are common ca
riers. but thus far have been allow
90 pursue their business as such wit
cut special franchise authority. II
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