Evening Star Newspaper, January 20, 1929, Page 62

FRIENDS AND RELATIVES' PLEAS FOR HELP VEX VETERAN OFFICER Appeals to “"Get Them Out” -When in . Trouble Called Most Disagreeable Part of Traffic Policeman’s Job. BY R. J. ALLEN, Member. Aetropolitan Police Force. During a conversation I had recently with an old trafic “cop” our talk drifted around to our own work. We talked shop ‘There seems to be a natural inclina- tion or weakness among all classes and walks of life to talk shop. The golfer loves to regale you with details of that long drive, and the base ball player is full of batting averages and the shoestring catch he once made. Doctors invariably make one nervous. what with the longing glances they cast at the region of your tonsils and ap- pendix. Just try once to tell any of your troubles or experiences to a lawyer. The first thing he will suggest is +*em,” or go into details about the bene- fits to be derived from an injunction. An injunction, he will explain carefully to you, can be nursed carefully along and if everything goes all right, it may become a permanent injunction Even when you go home rour wife is all full of her household duties and can scarcely wait to tell you about the ma: cute things Junior has been saying and doing all day. * Holds Center of Stage. The things we do and occupy eur- selves with during our working hours are usually the things we like to talk about best in our leisure hours. We rarely understand why the things that interest us most are not equally as absorbing to other people. In other words. we all like to talk shop. Walk into a group of workers any- where and a hundred to one their con- versation will concern their work, and #0 it is with policemen. f you were to mention Leonarda da Vinei to a group of policemen, the chances are one or two of them would glance at the bulletin board to see if there was a reward out for him. Voltaire might as well have written fairy tales for all the recognition he gets from some of the bold, bravs, minions of the law. Just pick out any station house you will, however, and walk in and ask the first policeman you meet about the time Jake Wolf went up in that garret and dragged out the fellow who just |'] wouldn't be arrest- sagy ©d. By the time Jake slapped him in a cell down at No. 1 he knew he had been arrested. Or about the case Motor Cycle Officer Vance Vaughn once made. Vaughn had hurt his leg in a spill a few days before the incident related occurred. He isn't very big, this fellow Vaughn, but he hails from somewhere down in West Virginia. He was riding his motor cycle along a cer- tain street one day when he happened to notice that a car just ahead of him bore license tags that were reported stolen. Vaughn rode up alongside to question the driver. The driver, how- ever, had different ideas. Slamming on his brakes, he leaped to the ground and commenced running. Vaughn, with his injured leg, knew e could never catch him on foot, so he set out after him on his motor cycle. ‘There began one of the most exciting chases ever recorded in police annals. ‘The chase led over sidewalks, up alleys, through back yards—to the sorrow of several housewives who had their Jaun- dered clothes hung out to dry—and through at least one fence. Even build- ings were no bar to Vaughn or refuge to the pursued. They went in-the front door of one garage and out the rear. “Bulldogs” His Man. It was about this time that Vaughn decided to attempt his’famous “‘coup.” He rode as close.to the fleeing man as he could and “bulldogged” -him. Yes, sip, he leaped right off of his still mov- ing machine and tackled the fugitive around the middle while he was still in the air. They both came to the ground together with a crash, and the next thing the man knew he was a prisoner at No. 3, Well, T seem to have wandered quite a way from what T started out to tell you. I want to tell you what this vet- eran traffic copper had to say. To a person interested in people and things there is nothing more absorbing than listening to an old man who has led a colorful life and who is also something of a raconteur. I happened to ask this old-timer ‘what part of his work he.liked best and ‘what phase of it he liked least. “Son,” he began, “the part I like best about this job of directing traffic is| when I catch some one I know and don’t like breaking the law. There used to be a fellow who lived, next door to me once who had two ferocious dogs. ‘They had never bitten any one, but they always growled so menacingly and showed their teeth in a manner that never failed to terrorize my two chil- dren, who were little then. One day I went to this fellow and asked him to please keep his dogs leashed in his rear yard, as they had my children where they were almost afraid to leave the house. He became arbitrary, however, and politely told me that if I or my children didn't like his dogs’ manners we could lump it or stay indoors. “It wasn't long after that,” the old timer declared with a reminiscent chuckle, “when women should I see ap- proaching my corner in one of my neighbor’s cars, which he had evi- dently borrowed, but my old friend next door. Now, I just happened to remem- | ber about this time that he had once told me he had no driver's license. The thought flashed across my mind that maybe he still had neglected to | secure one. So I held up my hand and stopped him., I walked over to the side of his car and very politely asked him | to exhibit his driver's license. He | glared at me angrily. ‘You know— well T have no drivel license, snapped. ‘Now isn't that too bad? sympathized. ‘I certainly hate to ar- rest a neighbor,’ said I, ‘but, of course, hard though it some times be, we must do our duty.’ It was a very hot day in August, I remember, but he started to consign me and my duty to a still hot- ter place until I gently reminded him that it would really pain me to have to place a charge of disorderly conduct against him, 2lso. ‘I don't give a tin- ker's darn,’ said he. ‘I will gladly pay 85 extra to tell you what I think of you’ So he started in reviling me. Meantime I commenced to wipe my eyes. ‘What the so and so are you snifing about?' he inquired. ‘I just happened to think,’ said I, ‘of the poor fellow who cussed me out last week.’ ‘What about him?’ asked my neighbor. ‘Well," I explained to him gently, ‘the poor chap is expected to recover, but he never will look the same. You see, after I had taken him down and locked him up, I just happened to mention to some of my friends in the station house some of the really terrible things he had called me. So several of them went back to ask him about it and, of course, they took their clubs along just in case he should suddenly become vio- lent. Which must have been what he did, because suddenly I heard a terri- ble commotion back in his cell. It was shortly afterward that I heard he tried to commit suicide by jumping off his cot to the floor head first. Then the ungrateful wretch, when he became consclous in the hospital, claimed sev- eral officers had beaten him with their night sticks.’ Neighbor Looks Thoughtful. “About this time I noticed my neigh- bor commenced to look very thought- ful. Also, he seemed to regard me in a much more friendly spirit. ‘Suppose we just forget about this,’ said he. ‘Aft- er all, we're neighbors, and you know I have no money to spare for fines.’ ‘How are those two dogs of yours coming along?’ I inquired very casually, ‘Oh!’ said he, ‘T meant to tell you before. I intend to ship them down in the coun- try to my brother’s place for keeps. The ¢ity is no place for dogs,’ said he. ‘Well,’ I then said, ‘of course, it is against the law to operate a motor vehicle in this town without a license, but if you will Just park against the curb over there and come with me, I will take you down and tee about getting you a driv- er's license right now. I have several g{‘r;nds in the license division,’ I tolg “Yes," said this veteran. “I can re- nwgnlb';r Txo”i thr:nx’!“ ox:’e occasion where e rigl ndy, ti officer of the luw.” T ey “Was what you told him true?” I inquired. “I mean that part concern- i where your friends visited the er in his cell and his trying to commit suicide 'n all?” The old tim- er's eyes twinkled as he replied: “Of ml’;%ewnohnbu;nlt ;;xre worked on my r. He has been one of !fle&dg :ver since.” e “What part of your job do you fin the hardest or the most dl.ssgryceable?g I then asked him. I expected him to say he minded the bitter cold most or sleet storms, hot weather, ete. Friends and Relatives Trouble. I was somewhat surprised when he replied: “Son, the mest disagreeable part of this job is the fact that I have fri!ll;rdis !élsd redlltlves." “Friends and relatives,” I echoed, be- wildered. ,"“Why, how can they make it hard or disagreeable for you?" “Well,” he explained, “most all of my {riends and relatives drive automobiles, and each and every one of them be- lieves nnrucitly that I can, because of my position in the trafic department, Tescue them from any embarrassing circumstances they might get into through yiolating some traffic law. “The first thought that seems to oc- cur to most of them when they have been arrested is to get in touch with me and implore me to ‘do something’ for them. “At all hours of the night and day their appeals for syce reacxh apr uccor are apt to “In fact, I have had to have telephone taken out on that very :‘;‘.-! count. The thing would ring at all hours of the night. Not knowing who it might be, I was always forced to answer it, and usu- { ally it would be Mrs. Jones or some other neigh- boring lady who lives down the street. . She would be all excited and would insist that I g0 immediately to some distant pre- cinct station house and get her oldest son out. He was being held for drivi while un- der the influence of liquor. Tt would usually do me no good and try and explain to her that there was little I could do. That he would have to appear in court the next morning and let the judge fix his bond. She would probably hang up the receiver about this point and refuse to speak to me. Meanwhile tell- THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., JANUARY 20, 1929—PART 4 ‘A NOVEL TRAFFIC DEVICE SRR TRAFFIC TOWER IS USED FOR RADIO BROADCASTING | Orlando First to Develop System for Entertainment and Utility. ORLANDO, Fla. (#)—The Nation’s first “triple-threat” traffic tower has been developed by H. N. Lang, city electrician here. Some time ago the purchase of an amplifying system by the city adminis- tration proved an aid to out-of-door musical programs sought by Winter vis- itors here. As the holiday season ap- proached, Lang mounted the system on a traffic tower in the business section in such a way that entertainers in a nearby studio presented a program of Christmas carols and selections for the enjoyment of vicitors and shoppers. Later came the idea of announcing from the tower at stated intervals the attractions planned by the municipal and civic bodies. And, finally, traffic officers declare that the tower equipped with an ampli- fler to carry instructions to motorists is another step toward solution of the Nation-wide parking problem and is a cure for many traffic ills ing all and sundry that in 15 years she had never asked me but the one favor, and that I had turned her down on that. “There are all kinds of policemen, you know. Some are natured, and some are the opposite, and some are just ordinary tempered. In cases of minor infractions of the traf- fic rules I usually try to help tlie ones who appeal to me. That is, providing I know the officer in the case and he is friendly to me. Surly Type Deplored. “There are some officers, unfortu- nately, who are as arbitrary as they can be. They are by nature ill tem- pered and ungracious. They are mis- fits on the police force and should never be allowed to come in contact with the general public. They are usu- ally the ones who are responsible for the attitude some citizens take toward policemen. There is another unfortu- nate trait usually to be found in this surly type of policeman. They delight in seeing how many arrests they can make. They never issue warnings or accept people’s explanation concerning some trifling affair. “It is rare for this type to have any friends of their own. The kind of na- tures they possess prevent them from understanding real unselfish friend- ships between ordinary people. “It is only the other day,” said this veteran, “that I heard one of this type boasting that he would lock his own brother up as quick as any one else. He also claimed he had never let an offender off since he had been a police- man. ‘Do you not racogznm the claims of friendship,’ I asked , ‘or the ties of blood? “Don’t you know the differ- ence between one who inadvertently breaks the law and one who does so deliberately?’ But it was useless to try to reason with him. He was just one of those people who don't belong in a police force, which is composed in the main of considerate, tolerant men, who mix common sense into their interpret. ing of hard and fast rules. “So you can see, it all depends upon who is the arresting officer in regards to how much luck you may have when interceding for some friend or relative. But when you fail—how hard it is to make them believe you made an honest effort. ‘It's mighty funny,’ they will say, ‘Bill was arrested last month for the same thing and some cop he knew got him off.’ “There are some policemen who have little trouble in this respect. There is no one who knows them, who would be foolish enough to expect help of any sort from them. If you are what is known as a regular fellow, however, and have a lot of real friends, you are sure to have ¢ great many such re- quests. “If I think a man has done wrong deliberately, I wouldn't help him, no matter who he is. When I am con- vinced he deserves a hand, I always try to do what I can for him. Yes, sir,” sighed the old timer, “I have lost a few friends due to this job, but,” and there his eyes brightened. “I have made a good many more. Without the solace of friendship, life would be mighty empty for me. I have never shirked what I consider my duty since I have been a policeman—yet 1 have made hardly one enemy out of all the ones I have been forced to arrest dur- ing the many years.” Every Goody Balloon 29x4.40. for its entire life. .$6.70 31x5.25....$11.45 9.95 32x6.00.... TIRE MONEY |* SUPERTWIST CORD TIRES All-Weather and Pathfinder Pneumatic Tire is guaranteed against defects No limit as to time or mileage. All sizes and types reduced. Here are a few examples. We have your size. GOODYEAR 13.95 Supertwist Cord, Pathfinder Tread High Pressure 30x3', Cl....$545 33x4......$10.85 Special 29x4.40 $4.45 ARRANGE AUTO SHOW. New Models to Be Seen at Chicago Exhibit. Forty-three diffetent makes of motor cars, more than 150 accessory and fifty shop equipment exhibits have been assigned space for the national auto- mobile show to be held in the Coliseum, Chicago, January 26 to February 2. A survey would indicate that twenty-five or more new models never before shown to the public will be revealed. From a decorative standpoint the exposition this year will be the most ornate in the twenty-nine years of its history. The National _Automobile Chamber of Commerce, Inc., under whose auspices the show is held an- nually, has approved a scheme sub- mitted by General Manager Samuel A, Miles that calls for the expenditure of more than_ $90,000. The embellish- ments are being prepared and will be installed by Sam Asch, veteran scenic | ™ Ohe Coupes .. $1195 to $1875 Sedans . . . $1220 to $2145 Sport Cars $1225 to $1550 These prices f, 0. b, Buick Fac- 8 terms ean be Y. A. C. Time Payment Plan. Stanley H. AUTO INCREASE SMALL LAST YEAR Gain of 7 Per Cent Over Total for January 1, 1928, Is Reported. ‘There were approximately 24,750,000 passenger cars and trucks in operation in the United States on January 1, 1929, according to B. H. Cram, president of Cram's Automotive Reports, Inc, A comparison of this amount with the 23,127,315 units shown on January 1 a year ago indicates a gain in registra- tions during the year of 1,622,685 units, or 7 per cent. With the exception of the 5.1 per cent increase shown during 1927, this was the smallest percentage in- crease noted since the first year or two in the industry’s history, and the nu- merical gain was the smallest since the low production year of 1921. Assuming that the increase in total registrations from year to year repre- sents owners making their original pur- chase, or, in other words; those that did not have cars to turn in as part- payment on new cars, certain rather interesting conclusions can be reached as to the present condition of the do- mestic automobile market. Of the estimated 1928 United States production of 4,399,000 passenger cars and trucks, approximately 568,000 cars and trucks were exported, leaving a balance of 3,831,000 units for the do- mestic market. Eliminating original buyer sales from the total domestic market, we find that replacement sales during 1928 were the largest on record, amounting to 2,208,315 units. This was practically 400,000 units above replace- ments shown for the previous year and about 350,000 units over the record established at the end of 1926. Time alone will tell how important a part replacement sales will play in 1929 automobile sales, and to just what ex- tent they will influence the total for the year. However, this point should be borne in mind when considering the 1929 sales situation. This year will be the first year to mark the lapse of seven years since the United States an- nual production exceeded the 3,000,000 ew Authorities in Charge of Highways Urged to Co-ordinate and Co-operate‘ Before much definite progress can be made in getting the farmer out of the mud and in getting the city man out of the city on week ends, there must be co-ordination and co-operation of au- thorities In charge of local roads and highways in areas adjacent to large cities, according to the Bureau of Pub- lic Roads of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture There are approximately 2,750,000 miles of local rural roads in the United States, say bureau engineers, and ap- proximately 1,000,000 miles are admin- istered by town or township authori- ties, and 1,750,000 miles are admin- istered by county authorities. There are, they say, 3,066 counties or equivalent subdivisions, of which 67 in the New England States have no relation to im- provement or maintenance of roads. Authorities of the remaining 2,999 exer- cise jurisdiction over the 1,750,000 miles of local roads classified as county roads. Only 975 of the 2,999 counties have control over construction and main- tenance which may be described as rea- sonably competent, according to the bureau, and there are 829 counties which have no definite organization whatever for the maintenance of roads and in which the work is of the most casual and inefficient nature. “The county or township unit is gen- erally so small and its taxing power so limited,” say these Federal road au- thorities, “as to preclude overhead costs for proper supervision of and equip- ment for road work. If adequate equip- ment is provided, the area is generally so small, and the mileage so limited, that it cannot be empldyed full time. “In many counties control is limited to a single engineer who, in many cases, is poorly paid and is inexperienced or relatively incompetent. Only the larger or richer counties have sufficient in- come to employ competent engineers. Also_elective local authorities seldom mark. Seven years ago, at the end of 1923, 4,020,253 motor vehicles had been produced during the previous 12-month period. This figure compares with only | 2,589,620 units produced .during the previous year and 1,616,119 units m 1921. If this. 7-year relationship con- tinues to hold true as it apparently has in the past, 1929 replacement sales should establish a record and exceed the present record established at the end of 1928 by a wide margain. | ALCOHOL OF QUALITY | Motorists Reject Liquid That Some- have the qualifications necessary for highway administration. ‘There Is a tendency for them to permit eonsidera- | tlons other than the requirements of traffic and other properly controliing conditions to influence thelr admin- istration. “The outward movement of popula- tion in metropolitan areas has d & rapid growth of suburban sections. Cien- erally, each of these urban units has partial jurisdiction over sections of the county highways within its borders, and the lack of a common plan has been a serious obstacle to continuous and con- sistent improvement of main highways This condition, coupled with the rapid increase in traffic has resulted in se- | rious congestion.” In these areas, says the bureau, land values are higher and with the concen- tration of population more and better highways can be supported. USED AS ANTI-FREEZE times Finds Sale in Pending Prohibition Era. Alcoholic content for beverages is s much debated question, but for motor car—as an anti-freeze it must be all there, with no room for debate, accord- ing to the American Motorist, cfficial publication of the American Automa- bile Association. ‘The American Automobile Associa- tion publication says: “Many of us are deep in Winter. We will be in deeper if anything happens to our automobile radiators. Ay, there’s the rub—not body rub, but 188-proot denatured alcohol—that stands between us and the cold weather trouble. A warning has gone from prohibition headquarters that ‘some garages, fill stations’ and other places e ciluted the denatured alcohol before its celiv- ery to the customer! ! *“Where do you buy your alcohol? Has | a cut-rate sign lured you to an frre- sponsible dealer? Are you penny wise | and pound foolish? | “In these days of the ecighteenth | amendment the percentage of alcoholic Newest of the New five months ago and newest of the new fo-d% / Not only instant but countrywide acclaim —the forerunner of a demand which was to shatter all fine car records —greeted this great new Buick on its introduction five short months ago. For Buick was new—new in style— new in performance —new in comfort ... atruly sensational climax to 25 years of fine car manufacture. 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Horner Buick Motor Co. | vehicles in DRIVING SIGHT TEST URGED FOR SAFETY Council Avers Good Eyes Pressing Need to Cut Traffic Toll. ‘The police of the District of Colum- bia and traffic officials, in common with those in 68 of the largest cities of the country, favor regulations which will require the sight of motor drivers to be up to a reasonable standard before they are permitted to operate cars, ac- cording to the Eyesight Conservation Council of America. ‘The council has just completed a Nation-wide survey which disclosed that two-thirds of the States do not require licenses of all drivers of automobiles. This report emphasizes the necessity of licensing all drivers, so that the State may pass upon the qualifications of the individual and both control and enforce safety measures on public high- ways. The fatalities In a year from auto accidents aggregated 25,000. The phys- ical capacity of the driver is of obvious significance and an important require- ment should be fairly good eyesight, the council declares. Contributing to a national symposium of police chiefs and motor vehicle com- missioners, M. O. Eldridge, assistant director of traffic, says: “I consider the eyesight test just as important as it is to determine whether the applicant knows the regulations or whether he can drive a car safely. We believe that our eyesight test is partially responsible for the fact that Washington has less traffic fatalities and less traffic accidents in proportion to population than any large city in the United States.” The District of Columbia has just | gone on record as having gone through - De]fember. 1928, without a traffic f: tality. The council's survey showed that a small proportion of the drivers of motor the United States are re- quired to give evidence that they can see sufficiently well to enable them to operate & motor vehicle safely upon the public highways. 31x5.00. 1015-1017 14th St. 30x5.25. 31x4....... 9.55 32x4l5. .10.85 33x6.00.... 1465 32x4....... 9.95 33x44..... BEN HUNDLEY GOODFYEAR TIRES 3436 14th St. N.W. FOUR STORES TO SERVE YOU 1320 14th St. N.W, 800 H St. N.E. Open Until 8 P.M. 1010 Pa. Ave. N.W. . i : WHEN BETTER AUTOMOBILES ARE BUILT . . . 13.85 14.85 (Division General Motors Corporation) 14th at L Emerson & Orme 17th & M Sts. N.W. Fred N. Windridge Rosslyn, Va. 1835 14th St. N.W. Rushe Motor Co. Hyattsville, Md. C. C. Waters & Sons Gaithersburg, Md. BUICK WILL BUILD THEM Bury Motor Co. Anacostia, D. C. Bowdoin Mstor Co. Alexnhdria, Va.