Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-07-17
TRAFFIC JAM
MOST SEVERE
City So Congested Police Are
Almost HeIpIeSs--FeW AC-
cidents Reported
CIVILIANS HELP POLICE
Jam Here Lasts Nearly All
Night Traffic Heavy Early
This Morning

Automobile traffic through Perth
Amboy yesterday surpassed all pre-
vious records in the history of the
city. Beginning early in the morn
ing the shoreward procession almost
overwhelmed the traffic men on duty
at the principal corners and cross
ings and nc sooner had the smoke
cleared away flom the morning
struggle than the return march be-
gan. At 2 o'clock this morning the
line was still moving through the
city, with no indications cf any end
to the procession.
hief N.els J. Tonnesen had ten
men doing traffic duty, but said this
morning he could have used as many
more. Traffic has been heavy every
week end since the summer season
set in, bus the chief characterized
yesterdays situation as the worst he
had ever seen.
In the morning all traffic was
blocked for some time at the Perth
Amboy end of the county bridge.
| Congestion became so great that all
side streets in the vicinity of the
bridge were filled and the police for
a time were powerless. Motorcycle
| Officer William Bachman, however,
| devised a scheme that finally pro-
| duced relief and allowed the auto
mobiles to proceed.
Taking each congested spot in
turn Bachman placed civilian
| guide in the front car of each string
Under instructions from the local
man the drivers took their cars
| around number of side streets, with
| the remainder of the line following.
| In this way the situation was
| Strengthened out eventually. Assis-
| ting Bachman in his plan were Of
| ficers John Reager, acting segeant,
Emil Koyen, Frank Geneski, and Ar
| thur Peterson. Chief among the civ
ilian guides who aided was Charles
| Skidmore.
At one time during the morning
the Jam extended from the county
| bridge to Woodbridge with a contin-
uous line of machines. all of which
| were unable to move for some time.
Reports from municipalities along
the shore roads indicate similar sit
uations there. Late last night the
problem was worst between keyport
and South Amboy, where one trafiic
| jam extended for over four miles.
Adding to the general confusion
were the drivers who insisted upon
|
along the left side of the roadway.
State troopers held the situation in
hand as we'll as humanity possible,
| but despite their work the cars at
| tempting to beat out the line tied up
traffic both ways at times. The Key
port-South Amboy jam lasted for
more than two hours. State police
| arrested a large number of motor
| lists
| Scores of motorists abandoned their
efforts to get through the jam and
pulled out of line to the roadside to
wait until the tangle Strengthened 1t
self out. So many drivers left the
! line. however. that when fnaily the
main jam was over the second string
soon became involved in similar
| situation.
Early this morning, long after
| daylight, the line continued TO pass
through Perth Amboy and reports
say that hundreds of machines are
still waiting to get through.
Beatrice Fav. five years old. ot
336 Watson avenue, is in the city
hospital recovering from serious IN
luries received when she was struck
! by an automobile on ST urday night.
The accident occurred in front of the
city market nesr Watson avenue, at
8 o'clock. the girl heinR knocked
down by an automobile guided by
Henry Moe. of Fords. Her injuries
consist of painful abrasiOns on the
left shoulder, and decorations ana
cuts on knees and elbows.
Sergeant John Larson made the
nolice investigation of the accident
and had the child removed TO the
hospital Immediately. She is under
the care of DR.. B. +. S.obodien.
Four other accidents were report
cd as occurring over the weekend.
Three of the four were automobile
accidents. while in the fourth in
stance a trolley car jumped the
| track and broke off municipal
lighting pole. No persons were in
jured in yesterdays mishaps
Patrolman Frank Geneskf re-
ported two crashes on Prospect
street yesterday. In the first acci-
! dent cars operated by George
Hauffe. of Railway. and G. It. Dunk
! lin. of 165 Broadway, New York.
/ collided at Smith and Prospect
streets. Damage was inflicted upon
both cars but none of the occupants
were injured. The second accident
| involved the machines of J.
| Francis. of Railway. and Miss NJ.
CONTINUED on page %
! Patch up your bare spots. Lawn seed
| a, Kelly q McAlipdsn Co.
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