Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-28
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.
CRITICISM has arisen con-
corning the irregularities

corning the irregularitie.
in the turning on and of
of the traffic light signals
These signals are supposed to be
turned on each morning at
o'clock and turned off each night
at midnight. It has been the duty
of the Police Department to have
members of the force attend tc
this duty at the various controls.
Because of the human equaSion
the lights are sometimes forgot
ten. Not because of any neglect
Of the policeman, but due to sick
ness and other duties being as
signed to him. It is the belief OF
the Traffic Bureau that the set
ting of the lights should be pune
tual at all times.
To Enhance Accuracy.
To enhance this necessary ac-
curacy, William H. Harland, di-
rector Of traffic, will recommend
to the Commissioners the pur-
chase Of IS electric timeclock sig
mails. If approved by the Commits
SionerS these automatic switches
will be placed at all control in
tersectionS. A few of these have
already been installed and work
like a veritable alarm clock.
The lights, according to Mr..
Harland, at Dupont Circle con-
tinue to receive more commenda-
ton than condemnation. For a
while it was suggested from many
sources that the Washington Rail-
way & Electric Co. be compelled
to re-route its tracks, thus elm
mating the cars from going to the
left around the circle After much
consideration Mr.. Harland is of
the opinion that nothing would be
gained by such a plan. Although
some of the confusion would be
ended on the west side at P street,
Mr.. Harland believes that as much
confusion would be added at the
north side of the circle. 1t does
seem that it is about six of one
and half a dozen of the other.
A Possible Relief.
What would possibly relieve the
existing situation would be to
compel the street cars from herd
ing just before they came to the
switch at p street. There Is no
reason for three or more cars to
bunch together at this place,
causing southbound automobile
traffic to be tied up. The same
schedules of the street car COM
pany could be maintained Just as
well If the cars slowed down be-
fore reaching the southern ex-
tremity, and waiting, when neceS-
Sary, until the way was clear.
A suggestion has been made
that the street cars should make
their turns on the red lights. To
this proposal Mr.. Harland is
strongly opposed. Admitting that
it might help vehicular traffic, he
states that 1t would give the
pedestrians no chance at all in
crossing the street.
Residents of Northeast Wash
ington have asked why they have
been neglected in the matter of
traffic light installation. Lights
have been planned for Maryland
avenue northeast for some time,
but 1t is learned today that fur
ther light installation is being
held up on account of the TRAFFIC
Department being unable to Sc
cure lamp posts at the present
time.
There are exceptions to all
traffic lights being turned off at
midnight. There are a few at
isolated intersections which are
in continuous operation "a hours
daily. These lights are in the CEN
ter Of the intersection, and the
reason for their constant flashing
is that II turned off at midnight
a machine might crash into the
unlighted obstacle. Suit against
the District government might
then follow. The erection of sig
mails in the middle of the crossings
is now recognized as bad fea-
ture. No further installations Of
this kind is planned.
Button Markers.
For some time the Traffic De-
partment was of the opinion that
white paint, If the proper kind
could be obtained, was the best
material for the marking of cross
walks and safety zones. 1t was
believed that the metal buttons
would wear out quickly and prove
unsatisfactory. The price of these
buttons was considered high.
However, this opinion has been
changed. While the buttons are
still high in price, averaging from
80 to 40 cents a piece, according
to the quantity purchased, it has
been found out that their wear
and tear is negligible. At least it
is so in comparison with paint.
Three thousand five hundred
buttons have been obtained and
will soon be placed along the
streets. Upper Fourteenth street
will get its share, and the rest will
be divided throughout the con-
OaSted area nf the cifv