Evening star., 1939-03-11
Pedestrian Control
To Be Tested in
Court tuesday
Policeman Says Florist
Challenged His Right
To Halt Him

Pedestrian control will have it's
first court test Tuesday when Ber-
nard Klateman, 27-year- florist,
explains in Traffic Court why he
thought it permissible to cross an in
tersection against the red light.
Mr.. Klateman, who lives at 236
LongfelloW street NV, was arrest
ed at New York avenue and Four
teenth street NV. shortly after 6
pm. yesterday when he questioned
Patrolman P. G.. Alters right to halt
him.
According to the Traffic Bureau
office, Mr.. Klateman started across
against the red light during a lulI
in traffic. The officer put up his
hand to stop him, but Mr.. Klateman
continued across.
When the officer protested Mr..
Klateman is said to have claimed
there was no regulation against
crossing when the traffic was light.
The officer said he explained that
pedestrians could cross in the middle
OF the block when it didn't constitute
a traffic hazard, but that that regu-
lation didn't apply to intersections.
He said if didn't think he was
right, I should lock him up," the
officer asserted today. II had no
choice"
Posts So Collateral.
The pedestrian was taken to the
first precinct station, in a taxicab
and booked. He posted 50 collateral
and was released to appear in Traffic
Court Tuesday.
Mr.. Klateman said he was going
north on Fourteenth street along the
west side of the street and started
across New York avenue on a green
light. He stopped in the middle to
let street car go by, he said, and
by the time it had passed the light
was red, and he continued across.
Officer Alter was waiting for him
and grabbed him by the coat, the
pedestrian added. Mr.. Klateman
said he protested. declaring he was
no criminal and adding that he
didn't want scene and for the
policeman to release him or run
him in.
With the exception of this epi-
sode, the first day of pedestrian con-
troll enforcement was calm. Mai
Ernest w. Brown, superintendent of
police, was pleased with the start of
the new law. Reports indicated that
the people generally were observing
the law in a commendable Wav. he
said.
Capt, Milton D. Smith of the traffic
division said he was "agreeably sur
prised" by the co-opera ton of pedes-
trians on his three visits to the down.
town area.
AT the intersections where there
were no policemen" he said "a few
people stepped off the curb but
when they saw the others were wait
ing for the light to change, they
went back"
He told OF a woman who narrowly
missed being struck by a car when
she started across the street against
the light.
Il said. Madam, you'd better watch
the lights. You'll be run down. )"
reported Capt. Smith, land she
answered, I'm just hick from New
York"
Majority Will Cooperate.
He asked her then, he said. if
she expected to go back to New
York whole or in pine box, which
seemed to convince her.
LAS far as I can see," he said.
the majority of people are going to
cooperate. There's been no real
opposition. Usually people are an
tagonistic about new traffic regula-
tions. but haven't noticed that
here"
He complimented The Star-N. B. c.
sound truck, which aided in the
l5-day educational campaign be-
fore enfoscement started yesterday,
and said that without the co-opera-
ton given by the truck he didn't
think the campaign would have
gone across.