Evening star., 1928-02-26
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.
@HE Traffic Bureau Is making
every effort to gain the ap-
proval Of the District Com.

every effort to gain the ap-
proval of the District Com
u nissioners in the matter OF
handling pedestrians at intersec-
, tions controlled by policemen or
traffic signals.
Such a recommendation has
been in the hands of the Comnis-
sioners. along with several others,
for many months. Both Traffic
Director Harland and Assistant
Director Eldridge are of the opin-
ion that establishment of such a
system will do more than any,
thing else III cutting down the
number of fatalities in the Ma
tional Capital.
In reviewing the number OF
fatalities for the past Is months.
the bureau points out that the
majority of fatal accidents were
caused by the careleSNless Of tile
pedestrians. Out Of the II deaths
last month the report Of the bu-
reau shows that only 2 were al
tributed to the negligence Of the
motorist. This. it is said, Is fair
average for the preceding II
months. None of the other nine
deaths would have occurred if the
pedestrian had used the irtersec-
tons at the right time.
Asks Fair Trial.
Accepting the report of the
Traffic Bureau, it seems wise thai
Washington be given a fair trial
in the control Of pedestrian trat-
fc. Cities throughout the United
States have tried the plan, and its
success has been noted. The plaii
was tried out here some years ago,
but was not given q fair chance,
as the courts threw out cases
of violation because at that
time Congress had not included
pedestrians in the term meaning
traffic. This has been changed SO
that motor vehicles horSe-drawn
vehicles. all transportation on
wheels and pedestrians are i'm
Piled in the word traffic.
intersections should not be a
gridiron for motor and pedestrian
teams. The words "go" and stop"
should apply to every one. The
majority Of pedestrians now cross
the streets with the lights, as they
have found it to be much safer.
There is no reason that every one
should not be required to do SC.
Laws for the protection of life and
property are the oldest laws made.
Further regulations to this end
as conditions change should be
adopted. They are necessary, and.
as Carlye once wrote, personal
liberty does not allow one to in
fringe on the rights Of others.
Public safety is the right of others
and should not be infringed upon.
Attention has been called time
end time again to the taxicabs
Parking abreast on their stand
vest Of Dupont Circle. The vio-
lotions by these drivers are not
violations OF the hacking law. but
violations of the police regula-
tinns. and. therefore, it is the duty
OF the police to break up this
nuisance. Hack Inspector Joseph
Harrington has but three men to
watch some 1900 taxis. His duties
are nlultifarious. and neither he
no- his men should be called upon
to enforce a regulation that any
policeman should have charge OF
The hack inspectors Office is an
important one. and the work Of
Is officers is to be commended
Their duties liz not only in ex-
erlin.ag applicants for vehicles
for hire. confirm their indorse-
rrertS. watch over their stands
rzrages, hotels and theaters, but
be all over the city at one time
TO see that they do not violate the
hacking regulations In regard to
soliciting. cruising" and manv
other requirements. Four men to
handle this task alone appears TO
be very small number.
Traffic Paint Sought.
For many years a suitable traf-
fic paint has been searched for
The paint now used for marking
lines on the streets has proFed
very unsatisfactory. The white
Taint tur.1s gray quickly. and in
many cases fails TO last tu.l
vcek. Some nine months ago the
Traffic Bureau put its problem
up 10 the Bureau OF Standards
Eince that tine the Government.
bureau has been experimenting
With various for.nulae TO find q
paint sufficiently durable. Many
motorists have wondered at the
various lines Of paint on Connec.-
icut avenue by the Bureau Of
Standards. These lines are a part
OF the experiments, and finally a
department Of the bureau, under
Dr.. Percy D. Walker, has an
nounced the finding Of a formula
that Is believed to contain the
qualifications desired.
This formula was given 10 the
Traffic Bureau and bids are now
bang received for / 600 gallons OF
paint made UP according TO tho
Bureau 81 Standards Gpccieca-
tons. The sum Of 5000 Is al
lo.ted for paint each year out II
the District appropriations. Be-
csuse of the p0orness of the pair.
heretofore obtained. the Traffic
Bureau. while awaiting the out
come of the tests. has this year
expended only SIS. Traffic Off
Gals throughout the Nation are
snziouS!Y waiting for good
paint Should the paint as speci-
Ncc here in Washington prove
successful. undoubtedly the cities
Of other States viii use the same
part And the Bureau III Stand
ardS viii have acded 20 Us lauFeis
:7o.her advancement In Us help
u the aubDmptiVe world.
Resurfaeing Time.
The time III approaching for the