Evening star., 1927-11-03

departmental buildings and other
structures, the visitor is at distinct
disadvantage. How Is he going to
find his way to the navy yard? How
will visitor know what route to fol-
low to Arlington or Mount Vernon?
The answer is that he is going to find
himself hopelessly entangled In find
ing his way about Washington with
out constant inquiry.
Motorists who have Travelled
through other cities point out that
many communities have marked the
routes to points of particular interest.
If one passes through Baltimore. the
way to Washington Is marked at in
tervals, but, these motorists ask.
where within the District does a di-
rectional sign show the way to Balti-
more, Annapolis. Alexandria. Freder-
ick or other cities? IL one comes into
Washington from Baltimore. 4 is
pointed out, he has. Of course, no diff
ficulty in getting to Washington once
on the boulevard, but, suppose he
wishes to continue through to Rich
mond there is no way OF following
the correct route through the city
unless he conSults map or inquiries
directions
To require ell visitors to the Capital
to have unnecessary difficulty in find
ing their way is. observers declare in
hoSpitahle, to say the least. Erection
OF occasional signs, they assert, would
necessitate no great expenditure. and
would be Of immca Surable assistance.
1t is believed that these signs could be
so designed that they would in no wise
detract from the pleasing appearance
Of the city.
Traffic Is Blocked.
Daily one may see out town
motorists blocking traffic OH the main
thoroughfares of Washington because
they are confused by the absence of
directional signs. Recently traffic
became tied up at Scott Circle in the
late afternoon by a car bearing for
eign license plates. The visitor hav-
ing come from the east over Rhode
Island avenue had turned prema-
turely into Sixteenth street, whereas
he had wanted to continue westward
on Massachusetts avenue. He at
tempted to turn about in the street,
not knowing the traffic signal system
and having no signs for guidance.
Similar instances may be observed
at the foot of Sixteenth street as
strangers visit various public build
ings in the southern part of the city.
There is nothing to indicate whether
i. is best to make right or left turn
into II street should one be headed
for say. the Treasury or the Bu-
reau of Engraving.
Motorists who drive westward up
Pennsylvania avenue and who have
been told to follow the Avenue" to
reach such points OF interest as the
Lincoln Memorial, the Navy Build
ing or the Pan American Union
headquarters almost inevitably are
confused when they reach Fifteenth
street and find that the thorough
fare they have followed suddenly
ends and several streets go eff at
angles. Frequently, the stranger
goes too far to turn into Fifteenth
street and hesitates at going around
the south end of the Treasury, and
then becomes stalled on the car
tracks in his confusion. He is then
subjected to needless embarra ssment
and traffic in momentarily halted in
all directions.
What is the suggested remedy for
this perrlexing situation?
Markers Are Urged.
Tt is simply to continue the main
highN y mark ) at occasional inter
vals through Washington and at the
same time post signs pointing the
way to the chief points of interest.
Use of designations of the United
States system of highways is sug.
gested for route markings, since this
is the scheme which makes easy con.
nection with all national routes.
Route No. 40, one of the main high
WayS of the SyStem brings the tour.