Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-25
A Welcome Change.


Trafic Director Harland has indi-
Gated that he is willing to reconsider
his heretofore adamant stand on the
left turn for automobiles at controlled
intersections in the National Capital
In making this announcement. how
ever, he stresses the fact that his own
views have not changed in the slightesti
but that due to the volume of dissatis-
faction over his pet scheme. the rotary
turn. he is willing TO abide by the wishes
Of the majority Of those who have
formed their opinions by actual day by
day experience with the maneuver.
Mr.. Harland proposes as compro-
mise to the rotary turn a modification
of the Hoover turn, the turn that came
out of the Hoover conference on street
and highway safety called by the
President of the United States when ne
was Secretary Of Commerce. This body
Of experts, the greatest ever gathered
together for discussion Of the ever
present trafic problem, stressed the
need of uniformity in all regulations.
and the left turn from the center of
the street was decided upon as the best
method for making this dificult
maneuver.
The Hoover turn is completed on one
signal that is, II It can be completed
without interference to the trafic lane
which must be crossed. Mr.. Harland's
suggested modification calls for the
turn to be made from the inside
fundamentally the same as the Hoover
turn-but on two changes of signal in
the same manner as the present outside
left turn.
While the suggestion by Director
Harland coincides In its essentials with
the turn accepted by the Hoover con-
ference as standard in that 1t will
provide for uniformity throughout the
city in turning left from the left lane
Of trafic. 1t will not lessen trafic con-
gestion ct Intersections. a. would the
full use Of the Hoover turn, and It will
not put Washington on q firm basis in
the select fraternity of cities which are
striving, and in many cases attaining
national uniformity.
1t Is difficult to understand why II
Mr.. Harland Ia apparently willing to
60 half Of the way, or even two-thirds
Of the way with the opinions and prac-
tees of the country's greatest trafic
experts, he is not willing to 60 the
whole way. The two outstanding merits
Of the Hoover turn are promotion Of
correct driving practice-crossing only
one line Of trafic and that facing the
driver when making q left turn-and
the lessening of congestion by keeping
trafic moving, that is when turning
traffic can move without interference
to through trafic.
Probably there Is no city in the
United States where the driver Of
ear who wishes 70 deviste from q
straight line-to make q left turn, for
instance-does not lose his right Of way
over through trafic. It is automatic.
With the Harland proposal, therefore,
despite the fact that the driver wish
ing to make left turn has forfeited
his right Of way and that there Is no
traf1c approaching In the lane that he
wishes to cross, he would be forced to
wait for change of signals. Obviously,
In the Hoover turn he could go ahead
without waiting for the change, If the
way was clear and he could do 50
without obstructing through traf1ic.
Therein lies the difference between
Mr.. Harland's proposal and the stand
ard left turn. Mr.. Harland would have
the motorist wait anyway. The Hoover
turn would permit him to 90 ahead,
fully cognizant Of the fact that he had
lost. his right OF way but alive TO the
advantages of cleared intersections
when conditions are propitious for Q
complete maneuver On one signal. In
other words, the modification proposed
by Mr.. Harland would not permit q
traffic officer to wave the motorist
around the semaphore If there was no
trafie approaching, but would compel
him to make the motorist wait for q
complete change OF signals. Under the
Hoover turn the ofiicer, noting the alb
sence Of oncoming traffic and realizing
the value Of clear. crossings, could wave
the driver ahead and the turn could be
completed in one operation.
The Star congratulates Director
Harland and his assistants in the trafic
ONCE on the departure from their
stand-pat policy and their willingness
to reconsider q matter which 30 vitality
affects not only Washington motorists
but visitors to the city. The Star hopes
that the trafic ONCE may see It's way
clear to recommend to the Commission
ers an adoption Of the full Hoover turn
in order that the National Capital can
take its rightful place as leader In uni.
formity for trafic regulations In the
United States.
Soviet Russia may have China won-
d..i,, ., x,y,nthar aa.aa ~ the yarasS santa