Evening star., 1939-02-23

Capt Milton D. Smith, head of the
Metropolitan Police Traffic Bureau,
took a personal hand today in edu-
cation of pedestrians on new control
laws which would become effective
March 10.
The traffic inspector participated
in street radio broadcast at Elev-
enth and G streets NV. and de-
scribed the new regulation to a
number Of pedestrians passing the
intersection.
Parked 1t the corner was sound
truck provided through The Star in
cooperation with the Police De-
partment to facilitate In familiariz-
ing pedestrians and motorists with
the walk rules Bill Coyle. radio
director of The Star, and Lee Everett
of the WMAL staff were in charge of
the street broadcast.
Urges Permanent System.
Capt. Smith expressed the de-
partment's approval of the sound
truck idea and stated that police
would be greatly aided" in their en-
forcement of traffic laws if such a
public address system could be kept
in use permanently The dozen
pedestrians interviewed on today's
broadcast expressed unanimous ap-
proval of the new regulations.
Capt. Smith and the announcers
emphasized the necessity for CO.
operation on the part of walkers
and drivers in successful enforce
ment of the laws.
The sound truck was to be shifted
at noon today to Thirteenth and
G streets NV, described by Capt.
Smith as one of the busiest of the
downtown intersections.
Streets Were damned.
The sound truck was given its
initial try at the Eleventh and G in
tersection yesterday. The windswept
downtown streets were jammed with
holiday crowds. and police on duty
to instruct pedestrians on the new
rules had one of the busiest days
since the new program was begun.
Capt. Smith said yesterdays pedes-
trian and vehicle traffic was the
heaviest in weeks, despite the Gov
ernment holiday in commemoration
of George Washington's Birthday
anniversary.
While Ofiicer E. R. Lohr of the
traffic division stood out In the in
tersection handling traffic he was
assisted through the loud-speaker by
Mr.. Coyle.
The lights at the busy intersection
are timed for an 8O-second cycle.
During one time period it was esti-
mated during the rush between II
m. and 1:30 pm. that more than
100 pedestrians and so automobiles
used the intersection, with traffic
heaviest on G street.
Pedestrians Obedient.
Observers on the corner noted that
as rule the pedestrians obeyed sig
mails of the officer and the lights
better than the vehicle drivers. Dur
ing an hours period it was noted
that not more than Is pedestrians
stepped of the curb against the
signals. Cab drivers who, under the
new regulations, must give way to
pedestrians, were prone to edge into
the crowds at the intersections. This
was generally true of those making
right turns.
After the sound truck was put into
operation 1t was seldom that pedes-
trians disobeyed signals. In CO.
operation with Oficer Lohr, the
announcer called the light changes
as the policeman sounded his
whistle. It was noticeable that mo-
torists paid more attention to
pedestrian rights as a result of the
vocal warnings through the loud
speakers. Instead of thin, strag-
Cling line of walkers crossing with
the lights and lodging turning cars,
as result of the verbal warnings,
pedestrians crossed In groups.
Cross in = Group.
Pedestrians gathered at the cor
ners waiting for the light in their
favor and then in group made
their crossing. The informal group
movements, in addition, made it
easier for the police to handle
vehicle traflc. During the breaks,
motorists were signaled by the Of
flcer to make their turns, thus re.
ducing the hazard for pedestrians.