Evening star., 1928-03-25
r. A LII day we tackled and
- n tackled, and got no
II further forth" The

-
arguments back and forth on the
placing Of traffic light signals III
the congeSted areas.
Traffic Director William H, Har-
land has been of the opinion that
before any great number Of such
signals are placed in these places
il would be better 10 place a few
on the borders of the more dense
" travelled streets and find on;
from actual viewpoint how The
scheme will work out. 1t is his
contention at present that il
would be a waste of time and
money to install the lights and
then have to remove them.
Mr.. Harland believes that the
installation of these lights in the
crowded streets of the business
section will bring about new cor
6itionS that cannot be figured out
beforehand on paper. The aban-
doning Of loading platforms and
even parking may be neceSSitated
at least during the rush hours.
Mr.. Simmons Belief.
On the other hand, Representa-
tive Simmons is of the belief that
the placing of traffic lights in the
business section was originally
called for, and that the Traffic
Bureau by not designating lights
for this area is breaking faith
with Congress, from which the
appropriations were obtained
Mr. Simmons, for this belief, asks
that Mr.. Harland change his
plans, that have been tentatively
approved and materials for which
have been ordered.
And so the "tacking back and
forth" keeps on, with the opinions
Of the traffic director and the
Representative unchanged The
lights from the various bidders
are TO be here for installation
within 90 days. but so far what
corners viii receive them is mat
ter Of conjecture. Mr.. Harland'S s
plan TO 60 slow and make sure cf
their efficiency at various inter-
sections appears logical.
Complaints have reached the
Traffic Bureau concerning motor
lists who use the driveways of fill-
ing stations located on various
corners. not for the purpose OF
obtaining supplies. but to get
ahead Of some car or street car.
It is stated that these corner-sav-
ing drivers are a menace both to
employees Of the filing station and
motorists obtaining supplies there
as well, due 70 their excessive
speed.
Mr.. Harland states that there
Is no existing regulation against
this practice, but that If such
drivers fail TO come to a stop be-
fore crossing the sidewalk. they
can and will be prosecuted for
reckless driving. He stated that
because Of the lack of such a reg
ulation the police were forced to
put Private, no thoroughfare, :"
signs up in front Of private homes
and apartments where the corner
saving and light-dodging motor :
lists made use OF the driveways.
This would scarcely do for filing
stations. and it would seem a good
plan for some regulation prohibit
ing this practice TO be adopted. It
really amounts 10 the use Of pri-
vate property as public high
way.
Permit Refused.
A would-be operator, and a
certain menace 70 safety, was
thwarted the other day when for
the fourth consecutive time he
failed TO pass the driving exami-
nation. Inspector Brown told the
traffic director that the man had
been practicing for two weeks,
and upon his last test he was
saved from a serious accident only
By the policeman in the machine.
Still the man wanted a permit TO
drive. His request was perma-
nently refused That man would
either kill somebody or himself
within five minutes II alone in
the car" was the comment Of Mr..
Harland.
Reports from Kansas City show
no small success in the method 10
solve the used-car problem by
tunking all "old-timers" and SAL
vaging the remaining good parts.
Through cooperation Of all the
dealers many q menace TO the
safety Of the highways and a
dilemma 70 the dealer has been
removed. The plan has been car
red out IN other cities. but so far
Kansas City has reported the most
success, especially in the particu-
lar Of profit. A report Of this plan
has been made 10 the local auto
motive trade association. but 50
far nothing definite has been
done.
City Auto Center.
Washington has been the cen
Ter CT automobile affairs outside
Of the factories during last week,
cue 70 the holding Of the fourth
annual congress Of the American
Automobile Association. Expressed
aims " the delegates include safe
". better highways and the abol-
lShnent of the war excise tag.
Three estimaple programs. and
should have the Endorsement oi
the entire motoring world. Cham
berlin, the intrepid flyer. made q
hit at the luncheon he addressed,
bat u Is Of doubt whether his re-
marks 70 the effect that flying
machines IN the near future
would take the place Of automo
blleg scored.
Of interest 70 the citizens Of
Washington, whether motorists u
not, is the opening of the new
Chamberiin-V Vanderbilt Hotel next
Sunday at Old Point Comfort
The hotel. built on the site Of the
o!d historical hostelry DESTROYED
81 80. -