Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-01
Bureau Provides for 2e4
Added Electric Signals In
1882 Budget.
HARLAND'S ESTIMATES
WAIT, PENDING SURVEY
Present Left Turn Favored by Di.
rector, But Willingness to Change
If It Is Desired Is Expressed.

AlSCaLldtlOn OF 164 additional electriO
signals at approximately 10 street in
tersections and substitution Of q flexible
progressive 5ystem of control on practi-
cally all important thoroughfares In the
District, to provide Q more continuous
now Of trafnc, are outstanding among
the recommendation In the 1892 budget
for the Trafic Bureau.
To carry out this enlarged program
to further complete the trafic signal
system in the downtown section and at
dangerous intersections outside the
congested area Director william H.
Harland estimates expenditure of ap-
proximately $156,o04, an increase Of
sos, 1904 over the amount In the 1891
appropriation bill for the purchase and
installation Of lights, controls and
markers.
Outcome Is ProbIematicaI.
The outcome Of Harland's program,
however, Is problematical, in view Of
the impending study of Washington's
trafdc system and needs, ordered last
week by the Board Of Commissioners.
In accordance with the suggestion Of
Corporation Counsel w. w. Bride, the
investigation will be made primarily for
gress complete revision of the Dis
trict's trafi1c laws. With Director Hars
lands estimates before them, the Com
misSionerS are only waiting for the
Public Utilities Commission and the
Bureau Of Efficiency to designate their
representatives on the proposed board
Of inquiry before commencing this
study of traffic conditions.
It was admitted at the TRAFFIC Bureau
that the installation Of some of the
proposed electric signals, at Wisconsin
and Massachusetts, avenues, for instance,
would probably depend on whether the
present method of left-hand turns Is to
! continue. It was pointed out that most
Of the traff1c on Wisconsin avenue turns
| into Massachusetts avenue, with the re-
suit that during rush hours there would
be the danger Of cars blocking the in
tersection for through traflc.
Favors Present Left Turn.
Harland has been an outSpoken pro-
ponent of Washington's present method
of left-hand turn, but he Is understood
to be willing to yield his opinion II
sentiment here Is found Overwhelmingly
in favor Of the center or So-called
Hoover turn. This Is one Of the prob
lens which Is certain to be given thor
ough consideration in the proposed
trafic study.
1t is estimated that $S1, 900 would be
needed to purchase the new signals re-
quested in 1882 and $70,4 Of the pro-
posed increase in the estimates Is for
their installation. OF the latter amount.
SIS, 900 Is to cover the cost OF changing
to the flexible progressive system.
Pennsylvania avenue from Sixth street
to Fourteenth street Is one Of the con.
gested thoroughfareS which would DO
equipped with traffic signals II the rec"
concentrations are approved ultimately.
No light is contemplated, however, at
Eighth street and Pennsylvania avenue.
1t Is also proposed to place signals on
Pennsylvania avenue at the intersec-
lions Of Eighteenth, Nineteenth and
Twentieth streets, where traffic Is con-
gested.
other intersections in the downtown
area which come within the extension
of the control signals are Fourteenth
streets, now controlled by trafic police
men during rush hours, and Thirteenth
and U streets, one Of the busiest inter-
sections in that section. Stop signs are
placed at this intersection now.
Second and B streets southeast.
where the Congressional Library and
House once Building account for
heavy traf1c during most Of the day.
also would be controlled by lights.
Crosby Believed Favoring Change.
Commissioner Herbert B. Crosby, who
is to be chairman of the new investt-
eating board, is expected to give whole-
hearted support to the plan for chang.
ing to the flexible system of progressive
control Like many other Washington
mans, he has had his patience tested
waiting alone at intersections for the
green lights to come on. With the in"
stallation of a master timer the periods
between lights can be changed to meet
conditions during all hours of the day.
The 1881 appropriation bill contains q
provision for trying out the flexible
system for the first time on Rhode
Island avenue. The present progress
sive system on Rhode Island avenue, an
well as on Sixteenth street, MaSSachus
sets avenue and other thoroughfares,
works all right, 1t was said, during
slack periods Of trafic, when the mo-
between lights. It falls down almost
completely, it was said at the Trafac
Bureau, during periods Of heavy traf1c.
Traffic oficials feel certain that the
flexible system, after a reasonable test
will solve the congestion problem on
important traffic lanes.
The estimates contain $4,000 for per"
sonnet service in the ONCE Of the Direcs
tor Of Traffic, as against $42, in the
pending appropriation bill. The Inc
crease Is for five new positions. include
ing an assistant clerk, a junior clerk
and three underclerks. Only $1,840
additional would be needed for their
salaries, as $1,000 has been deducted
in the estimates for temporary clerks
now being employed, who would be. re-
placed by regular appointees.
The only other new item in the bus
reau's estimates is for the purchase OF
four motor vehicles at a cost Of $2,750.
MAN SnIIGHT BY RADIO