The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-04-26
TRAFFIC IS
DISCUSSED
BYSEXTON
Secretary of Recruiting Com
mittee Tells of Some
Problems.
u Ire Editor Of The Times

! wish to compliment you upon
your editorial to the effect that the
traffic tower in Washington st. is
detriment to traffic, causing conges-
ton, and should be removed, and in
this connection / wish to state that
after careful investigation, and after
daily observing the coEgested condi-
ton of Washington Sg during the
rush hours, took the matter up with
the traffic department of the city,
and was informed that the congestion
was very bad, and that relief should
be given by fiat to curb parking on
Washington St, and that serious con-
sideration should be given the removal
of the tower.
This information was impaired to
the Citizens Rerouting Committee.
of which I am secretary, and at which
time it was adopted by said committee,
as the minutes of the meeting viii
show However, Wednesday at our
meeting the chairman Of said com
mittee claims the resolution not be
ing signed, made it ineffective. A
report was made there, that the traf-
hc department Of the city did not
concur in the plan to remove the
tower. However, that does not affect
the situation any, as it is my opinion
that the public demands it's removal
in order to expedite moving of street
cars on Washington st. and to speed
up traffic Everyone knows that a
fat-to-curb parking on Washington
St. which would allow a double flow
of traffic. that the congestion would
be relieved just so per cent and would
be relieved 100 per cent if we pro-
hibited parking on Washington St,
from Capitol to Delaware St. which
would allow triple line Of traffic.
Merchants Object
There is serious objection to this
movement on the part Of the mer-
chants on Washington St, and it is
going to take some time and effort to
convince them that it would make no
difference TO their trade, whether
there was congestion in front OF
their doors. or if there was a steady
move Of traffic i'm Washington st. AS
the people of this city will trade with
these stores, as they cannot do other
wise. I agree heartily with you fur
Their in the fact that this tower should
be used on Meridian St, whore it
would work fairly well whfre no
street cars turn out, and where there
is a constant flow Of traffic for many
blocks at time. and which traffic
is about equal at each intersection,
which is not true OF the crossing on
Washington St. AS each intersection
Alabama SITS. presents a different sit
uation and condition, and can be han
died best by individual human effort
Human control can also be given
TO the pedestrians. which would take
care Of them in crossing at the inter
sections in a proper manner.
Favors Loop
In regard to the re-routinE Of street
cars. much of this advocated change
Of re-routing can be eliminated by eX
pedlting their movement on Washing
ton St. rather than to let them be de
Iayed or that street for several
minutes, which causes "A blockade, and
if their movement in Washington St,
was the same as in other streets.
there would he very little congestion
OF street cars, in that district, but
should any changes he made in re-
routing. it should be made only on the
advise Of experts. and no one would
be better than the company itself TO
advise the authorities 81 such changes.
The time has arrived when it is
absolutely necessary to have either a
q
"A belt line, which can easily be
arranged for, by use of the tracks now
in South St, and connect the tracks
in n. East St, and S. East St. and
the tracks in ~ West St, and lay new
tracks in New York st. This would
give us a sort Of cross town line, and
also give you the accommodations of
a loop and belt line.
Money May Re Lacking
I believe. that the company. itself,
will indorse this plan with the
possible exception that they have not
the money at present to buy these ad-
dition rails. However. do believe
that they would indorse the principle
No committee in my opinion. who
represent certain clements, or business
of our city, would ever be able to
agree upon a plan Of re-routing, and
was pleased therefore, to note that
the public service commission, which
will not be biased. or have the interest
Of any particular element. that they
will recommend re-routing. as no
doubt they win base their ideas and
changes upon expert opinion. But in
spite of any re-routing that might
he adopted, It will he absolutely
necessary, as pointed out above to re-
lieve congestion in Washington St,
and whether the traffic tower is re
moved or not. we will be forced to
remedy that condition.
F.. J. SEXTON.