Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-03

Washington's long promised. much
discussed and ea gerly-awaited auto
matte electric traffic signals, designed
TO replace with cold. systematic and
unfeehng commands the sometimes
rough but ever human directions OF
the crossing policeman. this Week will
begin flashing their green, yellow and
red edictS to motorists and pedestrians
alike, and on Tuesday the new system
is expected to take up its function in
earnest. becoming a regular part of
traffic and travel on Sixteenth street
and Massachusetts avenue.
Accounted among the large and
progressive cities of the United States
Washington has Jagged conspicuously
IN adopting a traffic direction system
that has been tried and found not
wanting from New York City to San
Francisco. And while the Inaugural
ton Of the automatic electric traffic
signal system here is necessarily re-
strlcted to comparatively few blocks
Of but two main thoroughfares, it is
the hope Of the officials Of the traffic
Office and the belief of traffic students
that the experiments on Sixteenth
street and Massachusetts avenue will
prove so successful as to result in
appropriations to install the lights
throughout the city.
See End of Woes
Curtailed in their plans by lack of
money, heckled by impatient watch
ers, hampered by need of authority
and struggling ever against the con-
startly rising tide of traffic flow, Di-
rector of Traffic NJ. 0. Eldridge and
his assistant, Col. l. c. Moller, see
in the inauguration Of the new auto
matte signal system the beginning Of
the end of their multifarious woes
and troubles in attempting to bring
order out of chaos In the streets of
Washington. Both officials are of the
opinion that with the turning on of
the new signals will come the turning
off of the stream of criticism that
has been long directed at them as
the public falls naturally into orderly
traffic habits and Congress recognizes
the wisdom of adequate approprla.
tons for the work of the bureau.
Failure of electricians to complete
the necessary wiring and connections
has caused two delays, and now Col.
MoIler says If the time is convenient
to the Commissioners who are ex-
pected to officiate the ceremonies for
putting the signals into service will
be held promptly at o'clock Tuesday
afternoon.
VIII Time Lights.
The traffic experts have not yet set
the timing devices for the lights and
will make a test early tomorrow morn
ing between and o'clock for this
purpose. BY riding up and down Six
teenth street at the approved speed
limit of % miles an hour, without in
reference, the experts hope to deter
mine a satisfactory period for move
ment of traffic in both directions. Col.
Moller points out, however. that the
timing can be changed with the simple
turn of a handle on the master con-
troll box, and if the initial allotments
are not satisfactory they will be
changed. In fact, the Traffic Bureau
has planned to vary the timing at diff
ferent periods of the day, giving more
time to north and south bound traffic
during the rush hours. The amber
caution light has been timed perma-
nently at five seconds for all direc-
lions.
The master control board has been
installed in No. l Fire Engine Com
pany on K street. The lights will be
turned on and off at this point. A
special switch also has been Installed
in the fire house and whenever the
engines use Sixteenth street to re-
spond to an alarm it will be thrown
for a period of three or four minutes.
The throwing of this switch will auto
matically flash on the red lights In all
directions along the thoroughfare as
warning TO motorists, who are ex'
pected to draw toward the curb as
quickly as possible TO give the fire
apparatus an unobstructed path.
Emergency Control Box.
Another control box has been placed
at Scott Circle, but this will be used
only in case of emergency. 1t is de-
scribed by engineers as a CONTRACTOR
board At Sixteenth and u streets,
however a manual control box has
been installed which will permit the
operation of the signal at that point
tndependent of all other lights. The
purpose of this box is to allow an Of
ficer to direct traffic in the event that
congestion develops due to the street
cars.
Representative of the Grouse Kinds
Co, of Syracuse, \. Y, which manu-
featured the lights, came to Washing.
tor Yesterday to pass upon their in
sta..ation and conduct an educational
campaign as to their significance.
DIAGRAMS were issued showing motor
fists how to follow the signals.
The Police Department also made
special preparations for stationing Of
fcers at various points along the
thoroughfare until motorists become
familiar with the signals. Six police
men will be stationed at Scott Circle
one at each intersection of the streets
and avenues running into the circle.
Stress Turn Rules.
Traffic Bureau officials are particu-
iariy anxious that motorists learn how
to make left turns properly, and point
out that all turns should be made on
the green light.
In making q left turn the motorist
should proceed into the intersection
and draw up along the rfght-hand
crossing in front of standing traffic
and wait IN this position until the
green hight appears on the left, and
then complete the turn ahead Of the
traffic which Is then allowed to move.
Right turns are made on the green
light as well but traffic experts eau
ton motorists to watch pedestrians,
as they have the right of way If they
are moving with traffic.
Esnrgestions that the visibility Of
the lights would be interfered witE In
I1, f1Is