Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25
THE controversy between M.
o. Eldridge, assistant dir
rector of traff1c, and Charles

ME- COutIOVCA0S HOCWOcA
o. Eldridge, assistant ar
rector of traff1c, and Charles
a p. Clark, general manager
Of the American Automobile AS
location. over what Is the Hoover
Ieft turn continues day by DAY.
Mr.. Eldridge believes in the pres
ant rotary turn. Mr.. Clark believes
in the Hoover turn. But the oil.
ferences OF opinion does not emo
Mr.. Eldridge recently conducted
a poll of the larger cities to ascer-
tain what method is used in max
ing left turns and what the trafnc
officials Of these cities think about
1t.
The results Of the poll showed
that the majority Of cities had
adopted the method OF making
left-hand turns from the left lane
of trafflc as called for in the model
municipal code and in direct varl.
ance with the rotary method
from the right lane OF trattlc III
present use in this city at inter-
sections controlled by signal lights
or policemen.
Results of Poll.
The poll showed also that in the
majority of cities the practice VI
making the turn to the left of the
center Of the intersection was pre-
ferred instead of making the turn
to the right, or around the button,
marker or traffic policeman.
AYERS, is contrary to the Hoover
turn, and therefore lacking in
uniformity. Acting upon this be-
lief, Mr.. Eldridge states that only
a few cities have the Hoover turn
in use, and that no city has adopt
ed the Hoover turn after the code
was drawn up. Instead, Mr..
EldridRe claims that many cities
have changed over from the
Hoover turn to the method Of 60
ing to the left inside of the center
intersection. The assistant traffic
director admits that these two
turns are very similar inaSmuch
as both are made from the left
lane of traffic and in one move
ment If the flow of through traf-
11c permits.
FIexibility of Code.
Mr.. Clark, in rebuttal, declares
that Mr.. Eldridge Is laboring I'M
der a false impression and that
the Hoover ordinance is flexible
and carries with it provisions for
turning either around the button
or In front of it. Mr.. Clark states
that the Hoover turn calls for the
turning to the right or around the
button unless otherwise directed
by turning markers" This quail
fication, Mr.. Clark points out,
gives fiexibility to the method.
Now just what good comes from
these daily diScourses? It dis
closes what methods have been
adopted in other cities, 1t is true,
but the situation remains un-
changed in the National Capital.
At present Mr.. Clark appears to
have the better of the argument,
but the fact remains that the Of
flee Of the director of traffic Is
still In favor of his rotary pet.
An interesting letter favoring
the Hoover turn with its fiexi-
bilities Is received from Maj. Gen
Amos A. Fries, U. s. A., retired.
Because of his wide and long ex-
perience in driving, his letter is of
Interest. Gen. Fries writes as fol-
lows:
Gen. Fries Letter.
"I have long been keenly inter-
ested in all kinds of traffic prob
lens, whether ship, railroad or
highway. In the last eight years
I have driven an automobile not
less than $4,000 miles over the
streets of Washington and $4,000
miles over highways and streets in
other cities, including 1000 miles
a year ago starting from San
Francisco and extending to the
Mexican border, thence back
through California to Portland,
Greg. Thence East to Washington
by way of Yellowstone Park,
Omaha, Nebr.; st. Louis and the
Old National Trails. I have driven
in all the large cities of the United
States except Boston, Chicago
and cities south of Washington.
Il am submitting q left-hand
turn which is the best have ever
encountered. I think somewhere
saw 1t in operation nearly as I
have set forth, but I think the
buttons on the four sides of the
street intersection were on the
curb line. Five feet back on the