Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-10-09
MOTORING
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN. 55t ta+t A4ss
Wherever there hog opportunity for kindness
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

sooner l would have stopped traf-
hc."
That policeman then and there did
some missionary work in behalf OF
his city in which every organization
within its borders might have failed.
Certainly they could not have in
stilled a more kindly feeling into this
visitor than did the policeman.
In sharp contrast to these in
stances OF the courtesy OF law-en-
forcement officers might be cited
cases all too numerous of rude and,
at times, insulting conduct on the
part of the police of various cities.
They are not typical even OF the de-
partments TO which they belong, but
it is unfortunate, to say the least,
that municipalities must harbor them
as obstacles to their progress.
There was policeman i'll the
main square of an important Ameri-
eau city who throughout the day
beloved at motorists and unbranded
them for their least faults. He con-
tinued this procedure of making
police uniform as popular as a scarlet
fever sign until the day came when
large touring car was driven into
the square when it should have en-
circled it. There were no signs i'll
dicating the contrary practice, but
the local regulations prohibited the
shorter course. The motorist, as
may be imagined, was in for thor
oughgoing lecture on his negligence,
stupidity and inability otherwise to
drive car properly.
1t so happened that the driver was
a rather high officer of the Army and
not inclined to take insults because
of a slight and unintentional mis-
take. While the policeman berated
him roundly for his slip the soldier
drew a notebook from his pocket
looked up at the policeman's cap and
wrote down his number. He did not
stop there. however. He continued
to write. and what he was writing
was verbatim reproduction of the
policemans remarks. The Army Of
ficer drove Immediately to the police
headquarters in that city and made
police, Within an hour the traffic
man was withdrawn and given a 80
day suspension.
In another community not so far
away similar instance occurred.
The policeman in charge of a soma
phore at the busiest intersection UNI
dertook to censure an out-of-town
driver for stopping to ask for direc-
tons and by so doing going a little
beyond the point where traffic was
halted. The officer prefaced his re-
marks with profanity. and it so hap
pened that there were women in the
car. The driver promptly told the
policeman that he would take time
out of his journey to 60 to city hall
and find out if the city countenanced
the treatment he was being given.
At the mention of city hall the Off
GERS attitude changed, for in this
city politics is a powerful means of
getting things done and persons un-
DONE
1t goes without saying that in the
instances where the traffic officer
showed courtesy to the visitor it left
a pleasant memory, but where his
manner was harsh. ungentlemanly
and boorish recollections of passing
through the city were far from
pleasant. The sooner municipal au-
thorities realize that their policemen
may be living advertisements we'll
as guardians of law and order the
more successful will be their endeav-
ors to attract visitors and the hap
pier will be the lot of the motor
wayfarer.
Giving the other fellow the horn
and passing him at high speed to the
lett when he turns out in the same
direction and seems to be hogging
the road possibly may be all right
under certain definite conditions.
But often it reveals lack of thought
on the part of the second mot rist.
If the driver ahead appears to be
wandering or hogging space there
may be some reason for it. Suppose
he is turning out for another car or
for pedestrian?
1t is a simple matter, but many
motorists appear to overlook it.
Horn for the man ahead to move
over, but if he does the opposite,
first give him the benefit of the
doubt.