Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-17
Former Traffic Officer
Defends Red Signals

To the Editor Of The star:
The recent agitation to scrap the
signal trafhc lights is really terrible
picture TO contemplate, Notwithstanding
the fact that the sponsor for this dras-
tic move is none other than Our distin-
guished citizen, Mr.. Emo, the recognized
authority on traflc, both Of national
and international scope. I do not pre-
tend to pit my knowledge against his
known ability in this particular line, but
do maintain as an offlcer trained and
drilled in practical traffic work, and who
has functioned for more than 10 years,
that to scrap the traffic lights would be,
in my opinion. little short Of an 1r-
retrievable disaster to the advancement
OF our trafhc problems.
In the first place the lights are posi-
tive, and that in itself is a mighty factor
in trafic. They also do from Is to ~
none other, have q decided tendency to
cause the driver to form the habit of
watchfulness and alertness. And while
It may be true that at times the lights
seem to retard rather than expedite the
movement Of trafic, they are at least
safe, and give the maximum of protec-
ton to both the pedestrian and autoist
alike.
Abolish the lights If you will and
put the driver on his own initiative
at the big trafic intersections, and
watch the state of congestion and chaos
that prevails during the traffic rush.
Then, in the second place, we will take
the traffic officer and place him on one
of the big intersections and try to
analyze him. / think am fully quail
fled to Judge Of his status, as well as
his trials and tribulations, for not only
was I accredited with being one of the
first crossing officers in Washington TO
go out into the center of the street and
direct traffic at one Of the most COM
plicated intersections in the city,
namely, Fourteenth and New York ave-
nue.. but In addition to my long and
varied experience there I have never
ceased to study the traffic problems Of
our Capital, and the men assigned to its
solution. And the following is what
have to say relative to the crossing Of
ficer and his ability to cope with the
synchronized signal lights:
The crossing officer can never expect
to hold his own with the mechanical
man. Why? Because, in the first place,
he Is only human and can only stand a
certain amount OF work on traffic
stand (Which is most exacting), and in
the second place he must 60 to court,
to lunch, ETC.. in short, there are many
times when he must abandon his inter-
section, and leave 1t to the discretion OF
drivers who In many instances are reck-
less in the extreme, and do not hesitate
to jeopardize the lives of those who are
trying to drive sanely and cautiously.
And in addition to all this, there Is
and there always will be a chance for q
/ disagreeable argument between the
driver and the crossing officer as result
Of mistaken hand signal. Such clashes
often occur when the autoist Is stopped
for q trafic violation.
In conclusion let me say. TRY out II
you will, the suggestion of our highly
esteemed citizen, Mr. Emo, but do not
scrap the traffic lights" for there may
be an emergency call for the same. In
my opinion, the traffic lights are the
greatest invention Of the age to expedite
and facilitate the movement of traffic
and only need to be standardized
throughout the United States to make
them the success they deserve to be.
r. STANLEY