Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-02

To the Editor Of The star;
VIII the pedestrian, as its relatives of
the mammal specie. follow the path to
extinction? According 70 the scientific
theory of specie predominanee, are we
destined. as the dinosauY and the horse,
to pass into oblivion?
I must say existent signs point that
way. For instance. the offcers of the
law used 10 hold up vehicles In order
to allow us to pass by; now they hold
up cars to allow other cars to get by;
and US! why we Just get across the best
way we can Then, since science is
won't to progress and man 70 loiter, the
law innovated traflc signal, even
using the word "traffie" which pertains
only to the congested vehicles. When
this light first began to operate We were
given one minute to cross and the other
mechanical devices received one min
ute, which I call an even break. But
somehow the light mechanism grad
ually altered, until now We have one
minute to fee across then have to toe
the curb for the next two or three min
utes. Besides, we can cross only on
the red highland then not always
while the new robot can race around
on the amber. seemingly, and the green
also. Then, too, vehicles have TO move
only 20 miles per hour-"m. D. ito
catch all the ION" lights, while think
how fast we have to step in proportion
or stand on the corner in a most pleas
and state of mtndl
OF course, all of US do not stand and
wait. We pavement Founders auto
mattcally segregate into the more-active
and less-active types. The more active
has defiance in his eyes, determination
on his lips, aggressiveness with his feet,
but mark Of indifference In general
appearance. On the left hand, the less
active has hate in her eyes, movements
OF her lips, doubt with her feet, but
unbelievable nervous celebrity in gen.
eral appearance.
The former will care for himself,
though we lose many Of them daily, but
1t Is the latter which causes me to be-
lieve that we are the less predominant
! nave seen many older men and
women stand on corner Then the
green light flashes, the cars cash up
to the safe" CD lane creaking and
screeching The followers of Pedes-
trianism, uncertain as to whether 1t
be safe or no, step from the curb. The
cars change gears, and with exceeding
sviftness the less fortunate of this
generation scamper back to the side
walk Turning and seeing the cars
still there, they advance again, but, alas,
the light is on, the cars are of ard the
breathless pedal operators pant on the
curb side. Thus the performance IL re-
peated, until defiance moves forward
and misplaces caution.
That is the reason old people are so
cranky now. They are afraid 10 VEN
ture forth to the corner store, fearing
that some jay-walking auto, not neces-
sarily a taxi, might try to monopolize
the sidewalks, too, and therefore remain
at home. They read newspaper head
lines and begin to use their imagina-
ton, and there you have started some
thing
Now to get back of the subject, what
we need Is an equivalent to the A. A. A.
May suggest a p. p. P.-Perambulat-
ing Pedestrians Partnership-the motto
being "Self-defenSe for the Pedestrian"P
This society should furnish information
as to the best way TO dodge certain
types of cars-special treatment for
taxis-also how to treat drivers who
even swear at us because we were not
hit; and the quickest way to tell when
a woman driver is approaching. This
organization should give circles special
study, that a less roundabout way
might be found to cross them. Places
of safety might be established in areas
most thickly inhabited by Fords-the
Rough Riders. In general, offensive and
the benefit of us of the passing corps.
Once it used to be punishable by a
fine for driver to run over q domestic
animal; now II driver stops to pick
up a rundown person, he Is fined for
blocking traffic. What we need Is lead
ership and group Capitalization of
stamina and effort. You might notice
that at any corner you will find more
than one car turning and If the lead
ing car should slow UP the driver Is
given confidence by a loud and con-
secutive blast Of tantalizing horn toots,
frightening our followers. whereas the
pedestrians are fewer in number and
have no leader. Note how much more
successful we are on the main streets
than on the leSs-main streets.
Surely you will give this article the
interest that was shown toward the
starting cause, for this Is q danger that
Jeopardizes our health at every corner
EDDIE McWEEKS