Evening star., 1926-10-12
z SCHOOLS APPLY
FOR BOY PATROLS
New Safety Units Welcomed
in Move to Cut Traffic
Hazards.

While parents Of Washington, in
tent on insuring street safety for
school children, were registering to-
day their overwhelming approval of
the proposal to change the opening
hour for school, the movement for
city-wide establishment of school boy
safety patrols went forward with
rapid strides.
Principals OF 20 Of the city's ele-
mentary schools today filed urgent re-
quests with school authorities for the
necessary insignia. and equipment for
institution Of the patrol system at
buildings under their supervision, fol
lowing the successful example set yes
terday by Principal G. K. Finckel of
the Thomson School.
Traffic Director M. o. Eldridge at
the same time announced a still more
widespread plan for traffic regulation
at school intersections through a man.
ually operated electric signal light.
similar to the synchronized lights Of
Sixteenth street, in the interest of
safeguarding school children from
traffic.
Mr. Eldridge's proposal was con-
ceived, he stated, by his assistant,
Col. I. G. Moller. just back from a
survey Of traffic conditions in other
cities.
To Try Out Signal.
The idea is to install Immediately a
four-way light signal system at the
Thomson School experimental center,
with an authorized operator in charge
of it. to direct the motor vehicle traf-
f1c and take some of the burden off the
traffic policeman at the corner.
Mr.. Eldridge, in advocating this
Improvement, announced that he felt
certain these lights could be installed
at dangerous school traffic intersec-
tions at q cost Of approximately $500
per site.
One Of these test lights is available
at the present time, 1t was stated, and
the experiment with 1t is to be made
as soon as Mr.. Eldridge can complete
the necessary arrangements. If 1t
proves practicable, 1t was announced,
the system could be extended to any
part of the city.
Model Conditions Sought.
Meanwhile, we'll organized plans
were crystalliZing with a view to MAX
ing Washington a model traffic city
SO far as the safety of school children
is concerned.
Outstanding among the propositions
advanced was the proposal broached
today by Ben W. Murch, school safety
chairman, for conference with Chief
of Police Edwin 3. Hesse, Traffic Di-
rector NJ. o. Eldridge and Assistant
General Manager G. P. Clark of the
American Automobile Association, with
a view to uniting these agencies with
the school safety committe for prac-
tical assistance and cooperation in
putting safety reforms for school chill
dren into effect. The conference is
scheduled for early next week at an
informal luncheon meeting.
The local Boy Scout organization
also has stepped forward with another
advantageous plan. 1t contemplates
the classification Of Boy Scouts as to
schools and the institution of safety
instruction classes for the benefit not
only Of the Boy Scouts in the schools,
but also for the boy patrol members.
Patrol Prizes Offered.
While the enthusiasm for the school
boy patrol system was permeating the
ranks Of the teachers and principals
of the school system, according to re-
ports received by Mr.. Murch, consid-
cradle impetus in enthusing the chill
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