Evening star., 1939-09-24
By JESSE C. SUTER.

SANAS oSsASAeA~o sAAAA SANAS AAS"S
have been largely "blacked OUT
by the general interest centered
in the European war and its in
cidental problems. From purely
local angle there is a civic inter-
est in the direction of holding
down retail prices. which. it is
feared, will soar because of the
war.
The District Commissioners
have continued to work on the
budget during the week. As re-
quired by law their work on this
important document is behind
closed doors and without the
knowledge of details by the people
whose taxes will supply the bulk
of the money required. 1t is be-
lieved that the Commissioners
will heed the requests of the citi-
Zens and hold the total down so
as to obviate the necessity for
any new taxes or increase in ex-
listing taxes.
The Zoning Board of Adjust
ments held a well-attended hear
ing and granted several requests
for notifications to meet the re-
quirements of special cases. CIVIC
interest was centered in an appll-
cation for use permit for two
more gasoline filling stations on
Connecticut avenue in an area
already boasting of six such sta
tions. Representatives of several
citizens associations appeared
and registered a vigorous protest,
which has been taken under ad-
viSement by the board.
Of course, the opening of the
public schools last Monday was
an event of compelling interest to
all of the civic organizations of
the District. The enrolment on
opening is below that of last year.
This is condition noted also in
many other communities. There
is a decided falling off in the low
er grades
The week was notable in that
1t marked the Inauguration of
two new departures toward the
solution of important civic prob
lens. The District Court on Mon
day began a pre-trial procedure
to narrow down the issues in
pending cases SO as to Shorten
the trial time and help relieve
the congestion of cases on the
court docket. Gases that have
been pending in the court for sew
eral years are expected to be ad-
Indicated at an early date under
the new informal plan of pro-
cedure. The congested civil
docket is now some "a months
behind schedule.
The other innovat ton was the
putting into operation of some
new pedestrian control lights at
the intersection of Pennsylvania
avenue and Thirteenth street
NV. They are of the Neon cleo
trio sign variety and are timed
to flash Walk and Don't
Walk
All is quiet on the Public Utili-
ties Commission sector of the
District government. The civilian
members of the commission are
studying statistical tables and
graphic charts which illustrate
the trends in patronage. service
and prosperity or the reverse Of
our utilities companies. The COM
mission expects to hold hear
ing about the middle of October
on the application of the Capt.
tai Transit Co. for permission to
abandon its Butternut street line
to Takoma Park. This hearing
is expected to excite lively in
terest on the part of the people
of that section.
New Walk Lights.
Pedestrians May Even Read.
The verdict is that the Office
of vehicles and traffic has done
itself proud in its installation of
the new pedestrian control lights
at Pennsylvania avenue and
Thirteenth street NV. which
were turned on last Monday
night.
This has always been a diff
cult intersection ever since Thir-
teenth street was closed below
Pennsylvania avenue. The old
traffic lights were fairly we'll un-
derstood by the drivers of vehi-
cles. but the poor pedestrian was
only confused by them. Many
accidents to pedestrians have oc-
Cured at this intersection.
Neon signs of ample size have
been placed at a convenient
height for the pedestrian at
each of the four corners. In
addition, two ornamental iron
poles have been erected near the
loading platforms in the middle
of the Avenue. On each of these
are signs facing those who would
cross the Avenue.
Pennsylvania avenue, 1913 feet
from curb to curb, is treated as
two streets. The sign in the CEN
ter controls the pedestrian in his
crossing from the curb to the
safety zone beside the car tracks.
Then he gets his signal to COM
plete his crossing from the signs
located at the curb.
These brilliant, large-letter,
red signs, when restraining the
pedestrian, read, Don't Walk"
and when the direction of traffic
changes the word don't" fades
out.
Policemen have been on duty
to assist the pedestrians in get
ting acquainted with the new
devices and they have shown
marked improvement in observ-
ing the system. OF course, there
are pedestrians who rush head
long from the sidewalk and into
the thick of the traffic without
any thought of signs or personal
safety. Some do not even hear
the admonishing whistle of the
policeman guarding the crossing.
Careful observation of the new
system at this intersection, at