The Washington times., 1922-08-29
Motorists May Unite
to Improve Highways
President Of Lions Club Asks
All in District to Take Action;
Declares Visitors Shocked
By Street Conditions Here.

Organization OF District auto
mobile owners into one huge
organization, possibly under the
Ioint auspices of combined local civic
and business organiZat tions. to bring
to bear on Congress pressure for
vitally necessary road improvements
in Washington Ia the suggestion OF
James p. Schick, president OF the
Lions Club.
Mr.. Schick believes that IL the
project were given the support of all
big local clubs and organizations its
formation could be speedily effected
and that thousands Of motorists
would be willing to band themselves
together for the good of the District.
I'VE have no purely local automo-
bile organization which has civic
benefit for its aim," stated Mr..
Schick, "and l believe that an asso
citation of this sort could be made TO
carry great weight on the Hill. Such
an association should include duly
elected representatives of all the
civic and trade organiza tions Of The
city, so that II could be really repre-
sentative of the people Of Washing
ton. Through its affiliation with all
big organizations OF the city II would
carry prestige which would insure
respectful attention for its recon-
mendations.
"I would be willing to give my
time and energy toward the creation
of such a club, and know that there
are scores Of Washington business
and professional men who would be
willing to take up the matter"
Highway Markers Planned.
Mr.. Schick also suggested that a
system of highway markers for the
Districts main thoroughfares be
adopted.
I'VE have no markers in this city
which serve to indicate the impor
tant roads for the travelling motor
ist," he declared. I'm the majority
of cities and towns in the Atlantic
and New England States the main
roads are designated by markers.
Motorists passing through the town
have no difficulty in finding their
way without stopping their cars.
Washington should have all its
incoming roadways marked. For
example, on Massachusetts avenue
there should be signs showing the
motorist that the avenue Is a direct
approach to the heart Of the city,
SO that he would not go wandering
through Georgetown and the west
ern portion of Washington.
"Bladensburg road should be the
starting point Of a series of markers
into the heart OF the city. There
should be markers on all the main
streets in the city showing the way
to the different points of exit. There
should he signs designating the road
to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New
York. other signs should direct one
to the Lincoln highway and to the
southern highway system"
Mr.. Schick, who has recently made
an automobile trip which took him
through seven Eastern States. was
loud in his denunciation of the
neglect of District highways.
"In every one of the States I
visited" he declared, "the roadways
through even the small towns were
far superior to Washington's streets.
The most heavily Travelled State
highways are maintained in far
better condition than the streets
through the heart of this city, and
even the approaches to our wonder
full Government buildings and parks.
Motorists Shocked Here.
1T Is 30 bad that the Washington
man away from home must blush in
shame when the disgraceful condi-
ton of local roads Is mentioned.
Motorists I have met In my last
trip are unanimous In stating they
were shocked by the condition OF the
approaches to Washington. When
one comes into Washington over any
Of the northern approaches no sign
board Is needed to tell when one
enters the District. One can tell the
precise moment with eyes closed.
When the motorist begins pitching
from side 10 side and has his breath
joltedsout OF him-when he must
clutch AT the top supports and sides