Evening star., 1928-10-28

~ BA1Gb Acs0O WCCF
in which one woman
lost her life and another seriously
injured when struck by an auto
mobile of the Fire Department
Traffic Director William H. Har-
land feels that no definite SteI
can be taken by him at the pres
ent time, inasmuch as the pres
ent regulations put the apparatu;
of the Fire Department in diff
ferent category from other vehic-
ular traffic. Mr.. Harland, how
ever, is studying some plan which
he hopes will improve the Situa-
tion. While this plan is under
consideration he urges all drivers
and pedestrians to be extremely
careful, that such an accident
may be avoided in the future.
Verdict Significant.
Findings of the coroner's jury
appear significant. The driver OF
the fire chiefs automobile was
eXonerated, but at the same time
a recommendation was made that
a speed limit be fixed for fire ap-
paratuS, police automobiles, am
balances and all other emergency
apparatus. This recommendation
seems wise.
Then, as has been been pointed
out previously in The Stars edi-
torial columns, the speed of the
fire chiefs car should be further
reduced, as his being few min
uteS later in appearing at conf1a-
grations would cause no delay or
harm. Also, on a fire run enough
police should be on hand to help
clear the way for the fire engines,
and arrest all motorists who re-
fuse to pull up to the nearest curb
and stop when they know the ap-
paratus is approaching.
The District Commissioners and
traffic and safety officials should
have a conference to draw up
some plan or new regulation that
would help in preventing the
tragedy of last week. The hear
ing should be held at once.
In the meantime the admoni-
0on of the director Of traffic that
"all drivers and pedestrians should
be extremely careful" should be
faithfully obeyed.
The Magnetic Light.
Mr.. Harland returned last week
from Staunton, Va, where he, in
company with some IL traffic off,
cialS from other large cities, in
Spected the new traffic light, the
first of its kind, which has just
been installed at a T intersection
on one of the city'S main thor
oughfares. The light is like the
ordinary traffic signal in so far as
it has the green, amber and red
lights. But this light, unlike other
lights, keeps green on the main
thoroughfare until a machine,
wagon or even bicycle approaches
from the side street. Then, after a
brief cycle is completed, 1t changes
to red on the main artery and
green for the side street. It re-
mains that way until the side
street traffic has passed, and after
another brief cycle is green again
for the main highway.
The invention Is a secret in part.
but the changing of the light is
due to magnetic influence. A
short distance from the interSec-
ton an inductor is buried be-
meath the asphalt. The approach
of a vehicle sets up a magnetic
force that breaks the circuit on
the light which is suspended from
wire in the middle of the street
intersection. It's operation is said
to be simple and its cycles can be
easily timed to the number Of sec
ondS desired.
The new method is said not to
be expensive, and those inspect
ing it gave their hearty indorse-
ment. Mr.. Harland in comment
ing upon it said, II was very ia
vorably impressed with its SIM
plicity and hexibility. It will rev.
olutionize traffic conditions"
Mr.. Harland is considering
the plan of installing some lights
of this kind in the National Capt.
tai, subject, of course, to the ap-
proval of the Commissioners. It
would not be suited for all the
streets, due to avenue intersec-
tionS and the density of traffic on
some croSStown streets. He be-
heveS, however, it will greatly
speed up traffic without danger.
A similar light has been in
stalled in New Haven, Conn. But
this light works on the principle
Of actual contact between the We
hicle and plate placed in the
street. Snow and ice, Mr.. Har-
land believes, would make this
plan 'unfeasible at various times.
The cost is said to be somewhat
higher.
Parking Abreast.
Complaints continue to be re-
ceived concerning the congeSted
conditions on M street in George
town during the rush hours. The
two-hour parking regulation now
in effect has not helped the stu
alton. But whether or not it
would be better to ban parking on
one side of the street during
rush hours need not to be con-
sidered until the Police Depart
ment enforces the regulation
against parking abreast. This
violation causes most Of the con-
geStion and not the parking.
Motorists are wont to conflict
with each other on the right Of
way. This is especially true in
the matter of making left-hanc
turns where a crossing policeman
is stationed. When the policeman
gives the signal for the drivers tC
make a left turn, they then al
that time have the right of way
and not through traffic.
Dupont Circle still has it's flower
venderS, peanut and chestnut
wagons. Naturally traffic is still
congeSted there during the after.
noon rush hour. The courts