Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-17

TOR the second consecutive
year the National Capital
holds first place in the per-
centage fatality list Of the
large cities of the United
states. The figures released by
William H. Harland, director of
rrafiic, which were compiled re-
Gently by the Census Bureau,
give the fatality rate caused by
sTafflc accidents of all cities with
q population of $4,000 and more,
with the exception of Cincinnati
and Los Angeles. Figures from
these two cities were unavailable.
The percentages are based upon
100000 population and are in pro-
portion thereto.
The compilation gives Washing
ton q percentage of lab, Balti-
more, 14.9; Boston, ISL; Philadel-
phia, 1874; Minneapolis, 1855; New
York, 17.6; Pittsburgh, 179; In
dianapoliS, 20; San Francisco,
20.3; st. Louis, EOS; Detroit, 21.7;
New Orleans, 21.8; Buffalo, al:
Milwaukee, 22.2; Newark, 22.7;
~ASNSAeAAA, S0'oB %AlA NAAASd6OJ 1o'5.
A Proud Record.
The period included So weeks
ending December 80, 1928. The
figures for 1927 also gave Wash
ington first place. The Capital Of
the Nation can afford to be proud
Of this record
The Traffic Bureau at present is
cooperating with the Police De-
partment in its plans for March
4. Both branches of the District
government are confident that
the visiting crowds will be we'll
taken care of and when they de-
part will go away with recollec-
tions of a well ordered city It is
to be assumed that the residents
of the city will give their best
support.
The subject of left-hand turns
continues to bob up like Banquo's
ghost. 1t will continue to do SO
probably for long time. It's pros
and cons are discussed every
where. Like many of the traffic
officers, Mr.. Harland is heartily
in favor of the present system -
that of drawing up to the right
instead of the center of the street.
Local motorists and visiting ones
fail to agree to the method now
approved. Many would like to see
left turns possible without waiting
for two changes of the lights
when the way is cleared.
Left Turns Again.
To this Mr.. Harland is unalter-
ably opposed. He is firmly con-
WINGED that the pedestrian would
not be so well protected. AS rail-
road man, he says, 1T is wrong to
go against red signal anywhere"
He further states that while this
method is practiced in other cities
it is because there the streets are
more narrow, and therefore it is a
necessary evil.
But as compromise, to end so
much controversy, Mr.. Harland,
although personally opposed,
would permit the restoration of
the old left turns made by draw
ing up to the center of the thor
,oughfare. This is the first indica-
ton of suggesting the return of
the old way Mr.. Harland has
given.
Although on paper it may show
that more cars can at one time
engage themselves in making a
left turn from the right instead of
the center with less confusion,
such has not proven to be the
case. While knowing that the
turn is to be made that way, many
motorists do not know just where
to direct their machines without
tieing up right-hand turns. Pen
and ink may show less confusion,
but the average actual practice is
very different.
Sketches Versus Actually.
experimentation of traffic regu-
lations is an admitted benefit to
the present conditions--hence the
municipal code. Every one adj
mits that much. Then is there
any justification of having two
different methods of making left
hand turns approved of in the