Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-09-29

mington Rotarians In the Hotel du
Pont yesterday afternoon by Inspec
tor John W. Conner. OF the New
York Police Department. who is Il
charge of traffic control in that city
Gentlemen
OF the various problems that con
front the Police Department in al
OF the cities in this country, tn
handling of traffic has without doubt
become the most important. Tha
this fact is becoming more full.
realized is apparent from the keei
interest displayed in recent years
not only by public officials who ar
charged with the duty OF properl,
solving this problem. but by citizens
civic bodies and business interests
whose convenience and very exist
ence are so vitality dependant on tn,
efficient and expeditions handling %
traffic
In the larger cities. population
port facilities. railroad terminals
shipping, manufacturing and busi'
ness enterprises are dominant factor:
in contributing toward heavy vol
ume OF vehicular traffic on the
streets; insufficient roadway space
and Capitalization OF traffic on the
more desirable thoroughfares are a
few of the principal causes for con-
gestion, which IS seriously detri-
mental 10 the facilities OF the move
ment of traffic. Those conditions
may be said TO apply universally, in
proportion 20 area and population.
in all OF the recognized cities OF the
world.
While I have visited and observ-
ed traffic conditions In all OF the large
cities in the United States and also
London. Paris and Berlin. naturally
the one I am most familiar with Is
my own city. New York. I believe
It might be of interest TO the as
sembladge present TO know some
thing OF the problemss we have.
how we are meeting them and have
been for the past 10 years.
All who are conversant with the
traffic situation In New York city
are agreed that in the original sur
vey and laying out OF the streets,
no thought was given to the traffic
possibilities OF the future, such as
are being experienced at the present
day. To afford the fullest move
m mt with the least possible delay
20 an almost unlimited number OF
vehicles of all types. over a limited
amount OF roadway space constitutes
n problem In itself that has taxed
the efforts OF the traffic officials TO
the utmost. Despite their best en-
d avors. the traffic situation has
reached critical stage.
Another source OF constant anxiety
TO the traffic officials Is the handling
OF traffic over the four great East
River Bridges connecting the Bor-
oughs OF Manhattan and Brooklyn
and Manhattan and Queens and
their approaches.
The volume OF traffic using these
structures daily Is tremendous. Ex-
periments are made from time 10
time with temporary regulations
with a view OF devising a practical
plan that will insure tho use OF
bridge roadways TO the fullest extent.
In what is known as the theatre
district in New York. which Is
bounded by Ssth and seth streets
md 9Th to sth avenues. there are
leventy-four theatres. with others I'M
he course of construction. as many
Is twelve being located in one block.
These theatres all empty out prac-
tically at the same time. This
problem requires special regulations.
On the whole. the traffic sltua-
ion in New York City is a per-
picking problem at all times. The
must always be prepar-
I'd to cope with the new conditions
by meeting them with practical reg
llations that are ample for the needs
Of the situation thus arising. In
the formulating OF these regulations,
the probable traffic conditions OF
future years must also be taken into
and Is a matter OF
much concern in the establishment
Of permanent traffic regulation. How
he officials have endeavored to salts
'actorily handle the situation may
De explained as follows;
Until the early part OF 1908.
here was no earnest endavor to
control vehicular traffic in New
York. Up TO that time there was
What was known as the broadway {
quad" This squad was composed
Z the pick OF the force. selected 1
or their physical appearance and {
very member over six feet In !
eight. These men were assigned
o various crossings along Broad
Tay which was then the most i'm I
iortant thoroughfare in New York ]
lily where the pedestrian traffic was !
he heaviest Their duties consist s
d entirely OF escorting pedestrians !
cross the street from curb to curb. 7
Il that time the Police Commits q
Toner sent one of his Deputies to {
.ondon and Paris 10 study condi- $
ons. and on his return the first ex- j
eriments were made. a
The broadway Squad" was the :
ucleus OF what is to-day New York t
ity's far famed trafic squad which
omprises a force OF 1.796 officers
nd men highly trained In their re- c
pective capacities. II may be well s
} state at this time the methods '
sed to train these men. Part OF c
lie curriculum OF the school OF in n
ruction is the teaching OF the prop d
: method of giving the traffic sig a
ais by hand or whistle. thorough =
knowledge OF all traffic regulations &
Id IN the intoxicating In their minds A
.e absolute necessity OF self con- Z
oil, for the reason that the man n
no cannot first control himself will e
sver make a good traffic officer. d
fter these men have passed the V
gid requirements. they are placed
the eligible list for assignments r