Evening star., 1926-11-28


agency for safety, traffic au-
thorities have been unable to agree
on the question of right turns. Some
permit such turns on the green light
only, some on both red and green.
Unque:tionably, if right turns are
permitted on either signal, pedes-
trians have a difficult time at inter-
sections.
There is increasing favor for the
proposition OF using the yellow light
TO solve the problem. Keep the right
turns on either the red or green sig
nal, hackers of this proposal say.
They ask. however, that the yellow
light period be made longer and that,
during it, only pedestrian traffic be
allowed 10 move. This would give
the walker an opportunity to cross
In either direction without interfer-
enee from vehicular traffic.
Traffic authorities agree that the
tendency of automobile traffic is to
abuse the yellow-light period more
than all others combined. Those
who favor devoting this time to
pedestrians entirely argue that it is
the one effective way to stop this
abuse.
How the lights should be used is
distinctly a local problem, varying
greatly with local conditions. 1t is
possible that this proposal would
work in some communities and fail
completely in others.
The rumble-seat has been around
several months and yet not a single
song-writer. sociologist or l0-star
sex magazine writer has used it as
the basis of a melody, a thesis or
the unrefned equivalent of a
MSS" The idea is passed along for
what il is worth, and, offhand, it
seems like a fine bet for the song
writer at least
Unless other counties are heard
from within short time, Wash
ington will be awarded the question:
able distinction of harboring the
most idiotic and superbly nonsensi-
cal motorist anywhere between the
two oceans.
The story here TO be related is a
true one, however preposterous it
may sound, and just goes to show
that more than hat traffic depart
ments work must be in saving
embryo human flies and partly
grown Steve Brodies from destruc-
ton at their own hands.
Imagine it TO be the busy, home
going hour, and the place Connecti-
cut avenue below Dupont Circle.
Reconstruct the scene-hundreds of
cars. thousands of silly horns, a
maddening shuttle of Fastening feet,
policemen's whistles, a peanut roast
er going full blast, hotel taxis leap
ing insanely from bough to bough,
a street repair machine adding to
the din, the turmoil and the conges-
ton,
Then remember that it is dusk,
that the street lamps are not yet
lighted and that long shadows are
casting blackish forms indiscrimi-
nately.
Into all this rides our hero. a Don
Quixote mounted on a balloon-tired
steed gayly caparisoned, armored
and belted. with disc wheels taking
the place of the rusty armor of Ger
vantes' knight.
But instead of being equipped with
spear and sword, this vapid-brained
entrant into the great joust of 1926
Jared forth to battle with paper and
pencil. Paper and pencil!
Into the maelstrom of whirling
traffic this motorist obviously
guided his car-or rather, the spirit
of Don Quixote must have assisted
making notes assiduously the mean
while. Ambling a.ong at IS or Is
miles an hour, he did his writing,
every now and then casting a dull
and unappraising eye at things about
him. When halted at a crossing
with the rest of the jam he Just
kept on with his scribbling, and
when the go whistle blew he auto
matically put his car through the
gears and started ambling once
more, hardly ceasing his writing.
The car was good one, and fairly
new, and the motorist apparently
was sane in most respects.
One OF the leading automobile
manufacturers is supplying replace
ment parts in packages. This is
new note in motordom and one that
sounds fine to the average car own
cr. 1t is certain to meet with sue
cess. The packages are plainly
marked so neither stockman nor Gus
toner need make a mistake.
Parts keep better, do not rust and
are not subject to damage from care
less handling as when they are
placed in bins unprotected. At
present, ia replacement parts are
sold in package form by this par
ticular maker The plan is offered
interestingly enough, by a manufac-
turer whose car lists close to the
lowest on the market.
Ten years ago the author of this
column, writing in national maga-
zine, declared:
Ever since the manufacture of
motor cars assumed a place in the
front rank of important industries
predictions have been made that it
sooner or later would be visited with
a reaction. Most of the knowing
ones set 1914 as the date. When it
failed to materialize, warnings were
sent out to beware in 1915. The lat
ter year has been triumphantly nego-
tiated and 1916 is ruddy and robust
Twice this now mammoth industry
has passed through national panics
without faltering and it is going for
ward with added strength each day"
r y 4
When the man who owns a car