Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-23

subject of much criticism,
= whether unwarranted or
not. Many Of these critics are
residents Of this city, and while
prone to knock seldom offer any
constructive thoughts.
Critics Of washington.
There is a group of critics from
out-of town, who have from time
to time found fault with Washing
ton. It is possible that their slurs
are actuated by sense OF loyalty
fully in their own minds they
equal theirs. This Is false sense
as gross ignorance.
Perhaps the most sophisticated
of this group are certain residents
Of New York, where provincialism
reigns supreme Amazing 1t is
then that a New York organiza-
ton, the Automobile Club of
America, has recently come to the
fore, praising traffic conditions in
washington. Praise from this
source is most unexpected, but
none-the-leSs pleasing. It may be
that this opinion Is influenced by
the American Automobile ASsocia-
tons broadening views, of which
association the Automobile Club
OF America is member.
Foolish viewpoints are most
always caused by lack of knowl-
edge. Education, If properly ap-
piled, generally grasses foolish and
wrong ideas.
Regardless of its labyrinthine
circles, skipping streets and trick
1eft-hand turns, the New York
organization declares, Washing
ton is a model of street marking,
especially, In contrast with the
maze Of unmarked streets in a
dozen Eastern cities which have
caused them to be designated as
the "detour dozen
The "Detour Dozen"
According to the Automobile
Club Of America, the "detour
dozen" is so named from the COM
plants of touring New York mo-
florists who object to being routed
through these cities. Avoiding
Boston in travelling to Northern
! New England and Quebec appears
TO be the chief aim Of the motor
lists from New York, while the
other cities In order of the number
Of objections to them include
Philadelphia, Newark, Pittsburgh,
Chicago, Cleveland. Toledo, Balti-
more, Providence, Trenton, Buffalo
and Albany.
On the other hand, the Automo-
bile Club Of America states, no
objections are ever registered by
motorists to being routed through
Washington. In fact, the contrary
Is true because of the expeditiously
regulated traffic in the streets and
the well defined national high
ways. Conditions in the other IL
cities which are so diStaSteful to
so many motorists are not found
in Washington. These are narrow
streets, too many traffic lights and
a great lack of highway markers
and directional signs.
Praise, Indeed"
Washington thanks the kind
expression of the Automobile Club
of America, but in view Of many
opinions Of a reverse nature,
originating from the great
metropolis, 1t must be said that
Praise from Sir Hubert is praise
indeed"
Comparisons are not always
odious --often they are interesting
Owing to the fact that while
California has not near the popu-
lation of New FORK it has about
the same nL7lhes of registered
motor vehicles and makes it in
teresting reading to note how the
Golden State handles the traffic
problem. Their recent Legislature
passed several new laws and
amended quite a few others all
of which go into effect this Au-
gust. A summary of the most
outstanding are herewith given:
Notice OF sale-Tlle seller as
well as the buyer of vehicle is
required to notify the Division of
Motor Vehicles of any sale or
transfer.
Speed limits-In open territory
the limit is raised from 40 to As
miles. This speed Is lawful only
when conditions permit it to be
made with safety. It is unlawful
TO drive so slowly as to impede
traffic. In the event of damage
suits 1t is provided that speed In
the excess Of the limit shall not
be considered as negligence In
itself. Proof that the speed
constituted negligence mast be
proven.
New California Regulations.
Crowding front seat-It is I'M
lawful for such a number of per-
sons to occupy the front seat of a
car that the drivers view is OBJ
Structed or his control of the We
hicle is affected.
Use Of SirenS-Emergency We
hicles, such as police patrols, fire
apparatus and ambulances, are
prohibited from using a siren ex-
cept when actually responding to
an emergency call. Offlcers are
prohibited from using a siren or
exceeding the speed limit while
acting as an escort for a process
sion Of vehicles.
Unnecessary noise-Au drivers
are forbidden to make any I'M
necessary noise, such as honkine
horn for cars ahead to give the
right away when it is clearly
manifest that it is impossible for
them TO do so; or to stop in front
of a residence and to honk for
an occupant thereof to come out
He must go in himself
Passing on the right-On the
right half OF a paved city street
with space for two or more lines