Evening star., 1923-01-03

the general practice OF policemen to
order automobiilsts to dim lights
simply because they are bright.
There are many streets. in the Dis
trict where the lights are in need of
replacement with more efficient sys-
TENS. Many of the lights are of low
candlepower. and of gas, the mantleS
OF which frequently become smoked,
thus cutting down the illumination
materially.
The bureau of the budget sent to
Congress this year request for an
appropriation of $4,000 for pur-
chase. maintenance and installation OF
public lamps, an increase OF $4,000
over last year, and another appro-
lamps and fixtures and older and less
effective electric lamps and fixtures.
This is an increase of $4,000 over
that Of last year.
Old Gas Lamps In Use.
Sixth street, between Florida ave-
nue. and the steamboat wharves, a
much used thoroughfare since ii was
paved from Virginia avenue south, is
lighted by the old and ineffective
gas lamps. In many places IL Is diff
cult TO distinguish objects far enough
ahead Of an automobile travelling
within the speed limit 10 bring II 10
a stop in time to prevent accident.
Sherman avenue from Florida ave-
nue. to Park road, a thoroughfare
carrying heavy TRAFFIC TO Maryland,
Petworth, Takoma Park and other
sections 10 the north, is dimly light
ed with gas lamps, which should be
replaced with u modern electricaI
system. with lamps closer together.
A number of accidents are on the rec
ord. caused by the dim lights which
makes it difficult to distinguish
vehicles coming out of side streets
into this thoroughfare.
New Hampshire avenue from Park
road to Georgia avenue Is in much
the same condition. This particular
section is traversed by two bus liues
and the traffic is exceedingly heavy.
Nearly every automobile driver ira
versing this section uses headlights
for the sole purpose Of avoiding acct
dents Replacing of this system with
modern lights of greater candlepoWer
than the old gas lamps would make II
unnecessary for those driving cars
to run the danger OF being arrested
for using bright lights.
Georgia Avenue Dim.
Georgia avenue from New Hamp-
shire north is lighted by lamps on
the poles supporting the electric
wires While they are close to-
gether, they are Of low candlepower
and located 80 close TO the roles at
the top that they cause deep and con-
fusing shadows to be cast.
Piney Branch road. feeding Takoala
Park, from the Georgia avenue thor
oughfare. IS electrically lighted with
incandescent lamps. placed some dis
-,
leaves of the trees prevent these
lights from throwing their rays for
q great distance and make the road
way dark. On this same road from
Butternut street to Blair road and
along the latter thoroughfare for
distance of approximately a thou
sand yards from the District line are
gas lamps. dim and set back in the
roadway where the rays are hidden
by trees and shrubbery. This makes
it difficult to see. The last thousand
yards TO the District line are un-
lighted.
Alaska avenue from Georgia avenue
to its intersection with 10th street Is
lighted with incandescent lamps on
one side Of the street only. This
street also Is much used By auto
mobile traffic, and. although one can
see fairly well, many automobiles
find 1t necessary to use bright lights.
sixteenth street from this point to
Madison street is without lights, and
from the latter street south electric
lamps are close together. but they are
not as bright as they should be for
the heavy traffic which uses 1t.
one of the poorly lighted streets
which was traversed last night was
New Hampshire avenue from 18th and
U streets to Washington Circle. The
street. though not dark, is poorly
lighted, for the reason that the lamps
arc located close to the large trees
which line this thoroughfare on both
sides. They take up the rays and
deep shadows are cast, which aggra-
vate the conditions. In several spots
1t was found wise to use headlights
for safety.
The lights showed up at their best
last night, for a bright moon helped
considerably to brighten the high
ways.