Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-12

One fain would ask Mr.. Eldridge to
regulate the traffic in the ear, too.
Washington's traffic problem begins
In the streets, but often ends in the
auricular appendages Of humanity, II
1t does not terminate in the hospital.
We who escape being crushed,
scared or broW-beaten still suffer ire
mendously from the ceaseless roar OF
traffic, footing of horns unnecessarily
changing of tin garage doors at mid
night and various other sound waves
sent up as the result of operation of
automobiles.
Thus it may be seen that the term
traffic in the ear" is no mere
phrase. but an actuality. thing that
modern conditions have simply aug
mented not caused or even brought
to light.
That there is decidedly too much
mere noise in modern city life has
been realized for long time. On
all sides sounds roll up to our long
suffering ears. We place the seat of
damag" there, believing this designa-
ton sufficient.
AS matter of scientific fact, harsh
sound waves, whether created by
ShriekinE auto brakes or poor Jazz
ear drums. They sink into the soft
fabric of the brain and deep into the
very soul itself.
Many sensitive persons suffering
from various maladies are simply
noise-sick. Thick-skinneG individuals
may laugh at them, but perhaps the
day Will come, too, when they will
be made to suffer in the same way.
Sensitivity to noises is no new
thing. especially among writer's
"a lot nd OF, xtrhn Ia,- n.
themselves upon being sensitive" in
the best and proper sense of that
much abused word
Herbert Spencer, perhaps England
one real philosopher. invented for his
own use a species of ear muff. much
like the modern radio receiving head
set, which he clamped on his head
whenever he wanted quiet.
1t is said that with this device
In operation Spencer could enjoy the
quiet of the desert while sitting in
the theater, but this anecdote may
not be authentic, as many such a one
is not
1t Is a fact, however. that this great
English writer Che would be great If
for nothing more than his small book
on "Education'l found 1t necessary 10
protect himself from the inimical
waves that reached his ears from the
traffic of Victorian London.
What would he not suffer today
Schopenhauer. German essavist and
philosopher, who Is commonly regarded
as n pessimist but who Derhaps IS
no more so than any honest man
this facile writer was so bored by
the cracking of whips in Berlin streets
that he wrote an article against the
practice
Jolly carriers. going along in the cool
Of the morning, swapping out their
big black whips. nearly drove Schopen-
hauer to distraction. SO he wrote a
piece" against it. No doubt II was
received with derision by less sensitive
Berliners who could go TO sleep in "A
boiler factory.
In regard to noise. there are two
distinct classes of men. those who do
not mind II. and those who do. The
Joke, however, is not always on the
latter class, for in this matter he who
laughs last often laughs best.
An illnesS-and the man who never
minded noise q bit will find himself
sympathizing keenly with the very
man he formerly laughed to scorn.
Every one is a law unto himself
or herself-in regard to what consti.
tutes noise. What affects one ad-
versely may be borne with equanimity
by another, and vice versa. Some