New Britain herald., 1927-07-16
THE OBSER YER. Makes Random Observations
 On the City and Its People

light system. as expressed 50 far
 seems to be based on the assump. tion that the lights were installed
 primarily for the control of auto.
 mobile traffic. This is due to mis- | understanding and perhaps there will be broader spirit shown b, the objectors when they realize that
 fact.
 The streets do not belong to auto
 mobile drivers. They are for pedes-
 trians, as well as vehicles. Before
 the traffic lights were installed. pe-
 destrians invited death or injury
 when they crossed the streets be-
 cause motor car operators seemed
 to take it for granted that the high
 ways were built for their exclusive
 benefit. The installation of the light
 system alleviates the situation to
 some extent and man may be req
 sonably sure of reaching the oppo-
 site curbstone, when he starts to
 cross, without being subjected to
 violence in the form of bone crush
 ing.
 If automobile drivers would exer-
 else due caution and would be an- 'imated by a spirit of consideration
 for pedestrians there would be few
 CT accidents reported. It is true that
 the majority of drivers want to be
 considerate of those crossing the
 streets on foot but there are many
 who speed ahead at the showing of
 the amber light, apparently arguing
 with themselves that they are at
 liberty to proceed when the red
 light is not showing. This is an
 erroneous idea and defeats the pur-
 pose for which traffic lights were installed. The red light protects pe-
 destrians and the amber light as sures them of further protection. Traffic may move when the green light is showing and at no other times. In several cities policemen rigidly enforce the law against ve- hicles going ahead when the am- Der light is showing. Perhaps a campaign of this nature is needed in New Britain.
 It is annoying to sit at the wheel and wait more or less patiently for the green light when there is no counter traffic. It is also possible that lights control traffic where no light is necessary and a readjust- ment is necessary. But it is the height of folly to condemn the light system without further trial. All modern cities have installed lights and the situation they face is no different from that in New Britain. Chief Hart is right in sticking up for the lights. They may slow Up traffic to some extent but the av- craze man is not in such a hurry to reach a destination that he can- not contribute a minute or two to the safety of the general public. If kickers would leave their cars at home for a day and join the multi tudes which cross and recross the streets they would learn something to their advantage.
 Nov that we have run through the fine art of horseback riding and the sport has begun to pail after a week of nothing but hur- ding, winning Derbies and such, we will now oper the doors on a rev We'll wager a good amount that the possibilities Of spending a vacation far away from the cares and troubles of the citified life has never occurred to you and in fact if we had suddenly popped up and said Were going to make out of youse guys you likely as not, have laughed at us. But we are, strange as it may seem, and the day will not be far off when you will be chopping down trees and getting ivy poison with the best of them.
 Choosing a site should be the first step towards establishing well reg rlated sanitary camp and too much cannot be placed on the of selecting the correct site. Some people. amateur campers make many laughable mis- takes at the beginning of their ex- perence, such as camping on the tracks or on the main high way, This should, of course, be avoided as much as possible as Cn the railroad tracks means tearing down and setting up the tent every time the 5:12 goes by while the main highway camp site is not to be desired as it means many obnoxious fumes to say noth- ing of getting hit by a truck.
 The ideal camp site should be To- ,ated on the brow of a hill, facing the west and surrounded by three pr four eight year old Norwegian pine trees. Other qualifications should be included: close to rail- Ioad station, low taxes, gas and water extensions ready for tenant; will suit terms to meet pocketbook; BUY NOW! Of course Belgian spruce can replace the Norwegian pine if the latter is unobtainable aut by all means spare no effort to get the real article if it can he pro- cured. A nearby poultry farm comes in handy at times. especially when he man of the tent has forbidden anyone 10 buy provisions as he is going fishing and will supply the family larder with plenty of fish. is more fun than a quiet iaunt over the lots at midnight on