The Washington times., 1924-11-28
The Lowly Pedestrian ---Has
He Any Rights?
By BILL PRICE.

Lambasng the Iowly pedestrian has become fad with ed
toa writers newspapers He is generally referred
to jaywalke and held to account for most Of the
traffic troubles which make the lives Of autoists and traffic
cops so weary and annoying
Much advice is given the police department to how the
"jaywalker should be regulated and subjected the
penalties for violation auto drivers Apparently he has
business living attempting around unless he eqps
himself with twin six engines has his chassis rebuilt with steel
and ron and adds front bumpers that will enable him bat
ter his way to whatever point he may be trying to get
The term jaywalker originally applied to the pede
an who attempted to streets between regular crossings
at other times to the foolish chap who saunered while
rubbeng at things going somewhere else There are not
many the latter variety left this world They have been
battered to pieces by automobiles scared stiff that the
rubber their nec turned Of the former brand
ne proudly claims that crossing between the only
safe way although he does have jump for his life at fire.
quent intervals
regular street crossing longer gives the slightest
guarantee Of safety to pedestrian He may think he as
some rights at Of these but just about the time he gets
his trembling feet from the sidewalk here comes at swift
pace several machines the drivers Of which feel that the
street belongs exclusively to them He backs off until the
cars pass and then starts again. go through the same strain
before he finally reaches the other side.
Which brings to the suggestion that the police department
should ask Congress to pass law providing and closed
for pedestrians Nearly all States have such laws for
rabbits birds and other game during which they
paratvely free from being slaughtered The owy cotton
tai to his liberties in the closed and can
be seen playing suburban lawns and farms he sees
his enemy he lopes away easy fashion In the open
he knows what expect and when he starts Looping
he goes as fast as his legs will carry him.
As things now it is always open for the
pedestrian He knows when where he will get his
He squanders his time street crossings waiting droves
OF machines to get by and just he thinks the road clear
he is almost down auto driver going cety split
or unexpectedly turning right upon him.
So protect the rabbit and the partridge why not
give the pedestrian an equal chance to live few in
peace?
We drive day and harshy at pedestrians who get
IN and prevent hryng here there twenty
miles hour. The next day have errand
the bank the store and start to walk Then do the
sweating and the swearing.
In the last analysis though pedestrians outnumber auto
and should have rights in the streets In this city less
consideration is given the walker than in any other city
the United States In New York and Baltimore for example
and children are safely streets by traffic
officers before auoists allowed go their way There
not the same soicitude for man. but he too given
chances for safety.
Before they have all been killed off sent to hospitals
and while few Of them left with sound bodies and con-
tented minds to express their gratitude dedicate this ap
peal to District authorities to provide open and closed
that of the species may remain here for anhopolog
to study and discuss.