Evening star., 1939-03-10
Pedestrian Control
Begins With Police
Lenient al Start
Only in Aggravated
Cases. Are Arrests
Expected

" ooAA1Al6 lOAlAd1lo, otodCllIo GAL,
graduated from pedestrian control
school today and faced the pros
pect of paying fines if they didn't
learn their lessons we'll enough.
Only in aggravated cases" were
arrests expected. however One Off
Ger said: If they get nasty and
start arguing, that would be an
aggravated case, wouldn't it?"
According to Police Supt. Ernest
w. Brown, the officers would resort
to their authority "only when some
body deliberately refused to comply
with the regulations for their pro-
lection and wouldn't cooperate with
the Police Department and the Com
missioners."
He expected "some concern" over
individuals who want to walk where
they please when they please even
if by their actions they endanger
their own lives and constitute a
trafflc hazard.
Fines From 81 to So.
In such cases, the offenders who
can identify themselves will be given
tickets and others will be taken to
a precinct station and required to
post 81 collateral. Fines range from
81 to 50.
The morning rush hour brought no
arrests, possibly because the extra
policemen stationed at downtown
intersections didn't come on duty
until 10 o'clock. Maj. Brown ex-
planned he would keep the officers
on duty until after 6 pm. Limited
personnel kept from stationing off,
GERS in the residential districts.
One Of the few officers directing
pedestrians and traffic in the early
morning commented, 1T kind of
gets on your nerves sometimes, Won
dering whether you're right or wrong
yourself"
Reports Cooperation.
Another patrolman, Joseph Proc
tor, directing traffic at Ninth and F.
streets NV, reported splendid CO.
operation" on the part of pedestrians
and added that even the motorists
were improving in their observance
of traffic regulations, particularly
with respect to right turns.
The policeman at Sevtnth and F.
streets NV. reported a few viola
tions on the part of women shoppers,
who seemed preoccupied with what
they we're about to buy, rather than
paying attention u the lights. He
observed that the men, and not the
women, resented more being called
back when the light changed against
them.
A worAar was heard to say, For
the first day, this obedience is
colossal" And that seemed to be
the opinion of police, one of whom
called attention to the sfact that
pedestrians were "even remaining
upon the curb until the lights
changed. something they never did
Lefore."
There were numerous questions
about crossing in the middle of u
block. Pedestrians were being told
that it was allowed as long as traf-
f1c was clear in both directions.
Regulations Explained.
At one intersection, two men.
called back by the officer on duty,
threatened to report the incident.
After explaining the regulations the
patrolman sent them on their way.
At Twelfth and F streets NV,
where no policeman was stationed
during the mJrning rush Apedes-
trians were scruDulouSly obeyilig the
law. Even when no car was ap-
preaching in either direction, they
kept their eyes fastened on the
lights and observed the signals.
Occasionally, at the unguar6ed
intersections, an individualtRt would
dodge between autos to reach. the
opposite side, but the other pedes-
trians were not following like
sheep" as they did in the early days
Of the new regulation.
Too Many "for Driving"
One woman said:' II don't want
any TICKETS for. walking. I've gotten
too many of them driving & car"
On the other hand, a male Pc
destrian exploded to his 'compan-
ion when the street was clear but
the lights were against him: This
is lot of foolishness. Why cant
you walk now?"
Although included in the. regula-
tions is warning against crossing
on the amber light, many pedestrians
were seen edging up on the lights,
III the same way motorists drift to-
ward the intersection when the light
Is about to change.