Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-19

part III luC O1fLE GNpat
ment. Washington cars con
tinue to be marked by head
lights far out of correct adjust
ment, and dangerous to pedestrians
as well as motorists What blind
ing headlight can do-and too fire.
quently does--to the driver of an on
coming car is we'll known, but the
danger to the pedestrian thus pre-
scented is less frequently discussed.
Elderly walkers particularly are
affected by the singing glare of the
headlights found on so many local
automobiles, and when motorists
sometimes question the bewildered
tactics of pedestrians on our streets
at night, especially on those darker
thoroughfares. they should bear III
mind the effect dazzling light has
upon their own eyes. Thus these
glaring lamps have double evil eff
feet, and no one using the streets,
whether rnotorist or pedestrian, is
free from the danger they present.
The time it takes to have ones
lights properly focused is nothing in
comparison to the salutary effect of
such a step. A concerted movement
to bring about better headlighting
conditions we'll could come from the
motorists themselves. After all, they
would be doing the Police Depart
Inent no great tavor-they them
selves would be the real beneflciarieS.
However, the traffic Office unqueS-
tionably would be highly pleased if
the motoring public itself would take
the initiative, thus relieving police
officers for other multifarious duties
in connection with the regulation of
traffic
With Summer at hand, and night
driving becoming more and more
widespread, the Importance of pre-
ponderance of correctly lighted auto
mobiles on the Capitals streets GER
tainly should be readily apparent.
X
No greater menace exists on the
streets of Washington than the law
less, irresponsible driver who ignores
the red stop signals at the various
intersections and, at the risk OF kill
ing or manning other motorists and
pedestrians, dashes madly across in
defiance of every statute, written and
moral.
That there are some such drivers
In the National Capital cannot be
gainsaid They are here-they have
been observed carrying on their ne
farious tactics from time to time
and steps should be taken to remove
them summarily from the streets and
highways OF the District of Column
bia before still greater damage is
done through their utterly despicable
actions.
AT Fifteenth street and New York
avenue. perhaps the most dangerous
intersection in the entire city,
driver recently was seen to dart
across the car tracks and disappear
up Fifteenth street, despite the fact
that the red light was against him.
Before making his desperate jump
over the intervening space, he gave
a ratlike glance about him, then
jammed through his gears and was
off.
Ordinarily we'll policed, it so hap
pened that at the time-about
o'clock in the evening-no officer
was present Had there been, how
ever, the culprit should have been
apprehended and dealt with to the
fullest and severest extent of the
law Fines are not enough in case
of this kind, because not only does
the law-breaker here risk his own
neck. but he endangers the lives aud
limbs of many persons, and the po-
lice in dealing with him should treat
with him on that basis.
1t is perfectly obvious that a mo-
torist who of his own voiition de-
liberately elects to cross an inter
section when the red light plainly is
against him deserves no sympathy
when he is apprehended by execu-
tors of the law. However, it will be
recognized that there may be miti-
eating circumstances. 1t may be
that driver has been careless, but
not criminally careless, and he may
not have broken the law deliberately.
Often it is readily apparent when
such is the case, and the careful po-
lice officer will have little difficulty
in spotting the driver who, co1dIy and
caiculatingly, sets out to break this
highly important traffic regulation.
$50
Competition within the great in
dustry that provides the fuel upon
which the Nations 100000 motor
vehicles are operated has served, as
competition always does. 10 produce
a higher grade of gasoline. In this
connection it is interesting TO know
that some Of the country's greatest
experts on motor fuels insist that, for
certain reasons. virtually all of the
gasolines are too good.
Tests by the staff Of the United
States Bureau of Mines, for instance,
have revealed that there is little diff
ference between the Winter and
Summer grades Of gasoline In
other words. they find that the fuel
with volatility sufficiently high for
Winter starting purposes is market
ed throughout the year. In warm
weather there is no need for such
volatile fuels, It is pointed out.
In many quarters il is felt that the
need for conservation OF natural re-
sources calls for the production Of a
lower grade fuel during the warm
seasons. when starting is easy even
with the less volatile gasoline. If
this were done, portions Of the crude
that now is not utilized for motor
fuels could be turned to that pur-
pose,
Competition. however appears 50
keen that motordom probably will
continue getting a motor fuel that