Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-30
URGES EFFORT AT SOLUTION
OF MOTOR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS
Official of National Chamber of Commerce
Sees Much Human and Material Waste
and Suggests Remedies.

"a nation which has been as quick
as our own to seize and put into play
the principles of sinplif1ed practices
and mass production in industry surely
should be able to find a way to elm
mate much of the human and material
waste now incident to our new and
enormous motor traffic"
So comments A. B. Barber manager
transportation and communication de-
partment Chamber of Commerce of the
United States, and director National
Conference on Street and Highway
Safety. writing in the current months
issue of Executives, a service bulletin
publication of one of the larger life in
surances.
Industrial Simplification Cited.
Mr.. Barber continues:
Industrial simplification and stand
ardizs ton have gained great impetus
through the tangible results secured for
the benefit of all concerned-producers
wholesalers. retailers and consumers.
Labor costs are reduced. yet the highest
wages are paid. Machines and
processes work with greater efficiency.
Inventories and overhead are reduced.
Better goods are available at more
favorable prices.
Among the outstanding pioneers in
the field of simplifcation were the
automobile manufacturers. Six hun
bred of their standards, which have
been approved for use in the industry,
are given in a recent handbook of the
| Society of Automotive Engineers. 1t is
noteworthy that these standards are
not such as to hinder the designer in
the exercise of originality or to con-
troll the general proportions or appear
ance of the vehicles. They pertain, in
| fact. to those details which permit in
terchangeability of minor parts and fit
tings They aid the manufacturer in
| fabricating materials in large quanti-
ties and in placing the finished product
on the market at prices within the
means of nearly every one.
Stresses Lack Of Stimulus.
UNFORTUNATELY the same stimulus to
| efficiency and waste elimination does
not operate in the field of traffic con-
troll or in the provision of facilities for
traffic n1ovement-at least not with the
same direct force. The authorities in
responsible charge have to depend upon
the superintendent and often politi-
cal as well-of their work from an
electorate which has to be convinced
on every major matter and whose
whims frequently determine details
which should be left to the test of eff
cheney. Is it any wonder that our
streets and highways have been
thronged and in many cases nearly
choked? Automobile traffic has Gre
ated one of the major problems con-
| fronting State officials and municipal
authorities. In an effort to handle it
laws and ordinances have been passed,
traffic control devices installed, signs
and street markings provided and en-
forcement systems devised.
These methods, regulations and de-
vices have been introduced by local
officials in most cases chiefly as a re-
suit of local study. 1t is quite natural,
therefore, that they should have varied
considerably. With the growth of coun-
try-wide touring and the increased use
of roads for intercity and interstate
| transportation of merchandise, the lack
of uniformity not only causes an in
convenience to the individual driver,
but frequently works considerable hard
ship on business.
Problem Is Discussed.
1.-THE problem presented by this lack
| of uniformity, however, Is not one
| within the jurisdiction of the National