Evening star., 1928-04-15
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.
T<HE traffic light situation is
better in the National Cap
II IL ANAn,A L. nrnrr nf Ahn

better in the NatlonaI Cap
ital than in any of the
= cities visited by Traffic Di-
rector William II. Harland, wht
returned to washington last wees
after a study of conditions II
Boston, New York and Phlladel'
mia, Mr.. Harland stated a!SC
that he found the pedestrians III
Washington were given more con-
Sideration by the motorists thar
in the other cities.
Mr.. Harland visited Lynn, Mass.
where he inspected the new light;
that have been ordered. In Lynn
he found that the signal lights
had not been placed in the con-
cested areas, which plan he has
mapped out for this city with the
exception of the border streets
The pedestrians there, he stated
cross the intersections controlled
BY the signals on both the REQ
and amber lights.
Cities Traffic Studied.
j In Boston the director noted
with approval the white Sam
Browne belts on all of the crossing
policemen, making them eaSlY
recognizable at night when the
headlights of the approaching
cars fash upon them. Boston. ne
said, has only few traffic hghtS
installed, but despite the narrow
ness of many Of the Hubs crooked
streets. the motorists drove With
great care, and accidents were in
frequent. Many lights were seen
on the streets with street cars.
but although it was claimed that
the traffic had been slowed down
by their installation by some off1-
cials. the majority estimated the
average speed about the same.
While in Philadelphia, Mr.. Har-
land noted that on the majority
of the main thoroughfareS there
were few left hand turns. He
noted also that in many instances
crossing policemen were still kept
at the Intersections controlled by
the lights. The lights in Philade.-
phia were on the progressive plan
as in this city. varying from the
synchronized method adopted for
New York.
A diagram appearing elsewhere
IN today's automobile section,
drawn up for the Traffic Bureau,
showing the streets where the
majority of traffic accidents oc-
Cured in 1926 and 1927, is of
interest. With the exception of
Wisconsin and Georgia avenues
and Ninth street, there has been
a considerable decrease shown in
the past year. The increase in
the number of accidens on the
two avenues is explained by the
widening of the streets and the
greater traffic from Maryland.
Ask White Lines.
Complaint has been voiced by
various citizens of the city over
the lack of white lines marking
safety zones and cross walks.
Residents off Wisconsin avenue
have stressed this need particu-
larry. According to Mr.. Harland,
this condition will be remedied in
the near future, as the shipment
of white paint, the formula for
which was prepared by the Bureau
of Standards, Is due here now.
Paint formerly used has been OF
such poor quality that 1t does not
last any length of time.
Announcement of running auto
mobile races again at the wooden
speedway at Laurel is of interest
TO many fans Of this city. The
track has been closed for nearly
two years following the failure
OF the original company. II Is
understood that the track, former
" known as the Baltimore Wash
ington Speedway, will be called
the Laurel Speedway, and will be
operated by company headed by
Joseph 3. Boyle. Arrangements
are TO be made, II is said. with
the American Automobile Associ-
alton for special races outside of
the stock car races now planned
for early this Summer.
The American Automobile AS
soc!ati0n. the American Motorists
Associate and kindred organiza-
ticns that are leading the fight
before the finance committee Of
the Senate In effort TO get that
body 10 repeal the Federal war
excise tax Of per cent on paSsen-
ger cars is TO be commended.
The argument put up by oppo-
Yentg 10 the proposed repeal, that
the automobile LIS luxury, seems
vulnerable.
Answers TO QUESTIONABLE.
Early answers 10 a question
naire sent by the Traffic Bureau
here 70 traffic directors in other
cities through the cooperation of
the A. A. A. clubs, prove interest
Ing. Washington now has 43 light
controlled Intersections, and with
the installation Of 600 more lights.
now ordered, will In q short time
have altogether 1913 crossings con-
trolled by these signals.
In reply 10 the queStiOnnaireg, 1t
was found that Detroit at present
has 4I5 intersections controlled
BY the traffic lights. The lights
are of the gynchronized plan at
some intersections and the pro-
presGiye plan at others There are
$50 Of these intersections through
which street cars operate. The
synchronized plan has slowed up
traffic and the progressive plan
IL claimed 10 speed traffic up. It
was found necessary " restrict
parking on streets controlled by
The lights The lights have re-
lieyed 20 per cent Of the traffic
policemen. Pedestrians do not
obey the signals. Signals are In
stalled In the congested area.