Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-05
Pedestrians Rights
Asked i'm Traffic Law
To the Editor Of The Star:

why Is not as much attention be-
slowed in Washington upon the rights
OF the non-motoring public, to which
happen to belong, as to the automobiling
public?"
The above is quoted from an article by
Frederic William Vile printed in The
Star Of July rs, 1929. Mr.. Wile's plea
! Is for better car service during the rush
| hours, request in which all would con-
cur. But there Is broader significance
to his question, for in many ways the
f, pedestrian Is ignored in this age OF
motor travel.
We might consider this from several
standpoints:
| /. The motorist-Mr. Vile asks for
more cars. Could they make any head
/ way through the mass of private cars,
many carrying but one passenger, that
persistently encroach upon the right OF
/ way granted to the companies. and fol
whose upkeep they pay? Can the street
car companies be held responsible for
every failure to maintain their sched-
ules, or to enlarge them?
2. The street car companies and bus
' iines-BuS routes have been established
I In many places. But to my knowledge
| there is no comprehensive outline OF
] their routes available, giving terminals
| transfer points, schedules, etc. Only In
so far as this information is available
| for all lines in one bulletin is the nom
motoring public being fully served. We
! fail to use facilities sometimes for lack
of knowledge.
8. The Public Utilities Commission
This body is now engaged in a hearing
concerning request for an increase OF
| fare. Something of uniformity would
probably be appreciated by the travelling
public. Why are there 2-cent transfers
1-cent transfers, free transfers with cash
and pay transfers with tokens? Why are
there buses that will accept tokens and
others that will not? Why are 25-cent
! round trips allowed in one instance and
in several others the charging of a sec
ond bus fare within the District of Co.
lumbia? These incongruities cause a
waste OF time for all when one must
question the motormen or drivers on
every unfamiliar line.
Then. too, could not this commission
authorize the establishment Of cross
town routes that would in some measure
open up such beauty spots as Rock Greek
Park or Soldiers Home? A line cross
| ing by way of Pierce Mill Road or Mill
tary Road between Georgia and Con-
necticut avenues, or even between North
| Capitol street and Wisconsin avenue
would open scenes unknown to some oil
us who might be glad to avail ourselves
OF their beauties If we could reach them
with any degree of convenience, and II
another consideration were given. This
leads to the fourth point to be consid.
| cred
4. The parks and highways division
Our city parks, those shown In the
L Enfant plan, are exclusively for pedes-
TRANS, and their needs are well cared
for, even II the paths too frequently lead
by devious ways to point out exactly on
the direct route of travel. But there
are other parks, where those who are
still able to walk, and would like to
walk, are afraid to do so. There are NO
paths fit for any but the toughest shoes
and even some of these are not designed
for pedestrians. Frequently there are
none at all. And on the roads, beauti-
full, smooth, inviting. ones life is not
safe. Potomac Park. Macmillan Park
and the new development along the Ana
costa River are evidently only for the
| motorist. And would not benches add
to the comfort of the pedestrian? The
cost is prohibitive perhaps. Are we a
poorer Nation than England, Holland. or
| other European countries, where the
pedestrian and the bicyclist may pursue
their way without fear? And their roads
even though motorists are relatively
few. have been the models for our own
o1louiu we pc any less democratic?
Do people walk where there are
paths? Visit the Geological Park. The
! throngs OF people there are not all In.
terested in seeing the animals. They
are just walking, enjoying the beauties
OF the park. And perhaps there would
be more walking to other points to take
advantage Of the various athletic fields
to watch these sports. to picnic along
ROCK Creek or along the river front or
perhaps just to stroll and rest, If trans
portation were available, and If there
were places to walk.
Should not the motoring TAXPAYER
be considered In the scheme Of things ?
H. M. WHITE.