#fighting traffic

“HOUSE MOVES SLOWLY BUT SURELY,” Montreal Star. November 18, 1931. Page 11. ---- J. B. Gascon is moving this week. At the present moment his home is going 96 ft. an hour up Chateaubriand street, as shown above.

The city of Montreal decided that the position of Mr. Gascon's house on Jean-Talon was in the way of traffic which is becoming heavy in that part of the city. It was decided to move the house to Falllon street, a distance of 2800 feet, from its former resting place.

Eight days were required before the house was jacked upon rolls by the workmen. It is a three-storey house containing six flats and weighing 960 tons. Last Monday the work of moving the house began. It la done with the aid of cable ropes, chains and a little capatan. A long arm juts out of the drum and to this two horses are harnessed. Each circle that they make advances the house about two feet. The work goes on for 10 hours each day so the daily progress is 900 feet or 300 yards.

By working 11 1/9 hours today the house will have reached its final location by this evening.

"POLICE OPEN DRIVE ON CITY CYCLISTS," Montreal Star. July 4, 1934. page 3 & 11. --- Director Claims Traffic Regulations Are Being Disregarded ---- Montreal bicyclists and drivers of horse-drawn vehicles must obey traffic regulations in the same manner as other drivers of wheeled vehicles, "or else," according to a determined campaign now under way by the traffic department of the Montreal police force, headed by Inspector Belanger and Captain Leggatt, regarding which a formal statement was issued today by Director Fernand Dufresne.

The police department's director referred to the report on the situation, turned in to him by the traffic department, and drew attention to Article 6, of By-Law No. 1093 of the city of Montreal, which calls on cyclists to obey the law, which is "applicable to the driver of any vehicle."

The police are tired of trying to get co-operation from bicycle riders and temporary seizure of the machine for first infraction, with an appearance either before the re- recorder or in the Juvenile Court, on any subsequent occasion within 15 days, will be the lot of offenders from now on. Director Dufresne spoke plainly on the matter this morning, when he said:

"For the past two years, the police have been trying to compel bicyclists to comply with the regulations, but so far have been unable to obtain results. The officers in charge of the traffic department have come to the conclusion that it is necessary to resort to more active and more drastic measures to impress upon the delinquents that by-law regulations concern them as well as all others. It must be noted here that adult bicyclists are just as much at fault as children riders.

MANY ACCIDENTS. "According to statistics, 33 bicycle accidents were recorded, within the city, during the first three weeks in May. These statistics do not mention automobile collisions due to sudden change in direction, or stop of the first automobile trying to avoid a bicyclist darting suddenly in front of it, in violation of the by-law. These statistics for some reason or other do not record the accident unless the bicyclist himself was in collision.

"LONDON MINISTERS OPPOSE SUNDAY CARS," Toronto Globe. December 29, 1913. Page 3. --- Sermons Preached Against Them in Some Churches ---- NO CAMPAIGN IN FAVOR ---- Thousands of Dollars' Worth of Jewellery Stolen-Travellers' Club Decides to Have a Large Addition to Present Building. ---- (Special Despatch to The Globe.) London, Ont., Dec. 28, - Although the supporters of the Sunday car by-law have organized no campaign this year, as was done a few years ago when the question was put before the electors, many of those ministers who are against the proposal urged their congregations to day to vote against the by-law. When the question was submitted before, both those for and those against conducted lively campaigns. There was a large majority for Sunday cars at that time, and since then the demand for them has increased, so that the supporters of the by-law did not think it necessary to have a campaign this time. Until the Ministerial Association passed a resolution a few days ago it was thought that there would be no organized opposition, the chief consideration of the citizens being to get the street railway to put on the necessary service, which has since been promised. Following up the resolution at the Ministerial Association a number of sermons were preached to-day opposing the by-law, though many ministers made no reference whatever to the question. Rev. R. W. Norwood of the Memorial Anglican Church has publicly favored Sunday cars, and it is understood that several other ministers believe that the new service will be an aid to church attendance.

Burglars Make Big Haul. While the family of Mr. Gustave Rice, manager of the Rice Box Manufacturing Co. were absent from their home, 81 Ridout street, South London, yesterday afternoon, burglars entered and stole a quantity of jewelry valued at several thousands of dollars. Among the things taken were several valuable diamond rings. When the theft was discovered last evening Mr. Rice reported to the police. but far no arrests have been made.

"AUTOIST WAS COOL, AND YOUTH ESCAPED," Toronto Star. January 22, 1913. Page 16. --- A Young Wheelman Dragged Sixty Feet, But Only the Bicycle Damaged. ---- MOTORIST WITH NERVE ---- If more people in charge of automobiles used their brains and exercised cool nerve like Douglas McKnight, of 244 Russell Hill road, there would be fewer serious accidents.

McKnight was driving in his machine along Queen street east, near Pape avenue, when he came into contact with David Craig, a 13-year-old boy, of 92 Wardell street.

The youngster was riding a bicycle and was dragged 60 feet. He had a miraculous escape from death. He escaped uninjured.

Before McKnight could see what had happened, the lad was on the ground, bicycle and all.

McKnight jammed in the brakes. Craig clung to his bicycle. The machine skidded. Seeing that his car was not stopping, McKnight swung his car sharply and tossed the youngster, wheel and all, away from the danger zone. McKnight stopped in a few feet and called back to the boy, "Are you hurt?"

"AUTOMOBILIST FINED," Weekly British Whig. October 2, 1913. Page 2. ---- FIVE DOLLARS AND COSTS FOR SPEEDING ---- William McKendry Charged With Running Sand and Gravel Motor Truck Over the Streets, Contrary To By-law. ---- Speeding of automobiles must be stopped in Kingston. On Wednesday morning another motorist, E. Stewart, was fined $5 and costs by Magistrate Farrell for running at an excessive rate of speed. His violation of the act occured last Saturday night on Montreal street, crossing Princess street. When the intersection of the streets was crowded. A. E. Day of Rogers and Nickle, represented the defendant, and pleaded guilty on his behalf.

"POLICEMEN WHO CONTROL STREET INTERSECTIONS," Toronto Star Weekly. August 10, 1912. Page 7. ---- Live a Life That Is Nerve-Racking - Must Always Be On the Alert. ---- P. C. McMENOMY IS DADDY OF 'EM ALL --- Has Been Ten Years At King and Yonge Hobson and Bolton At Queen and Yonge. --- By G. E. M. IF some eccentric individual were to hold a question and answer com- petition concerning geographical Toronto and make the awards according to the greatest number of correct answers per minute, the honors would doubtless fall to certain men among the police traffic squad. There are four men in particular who occupy, so to speak, the butt end of the human interrogation point, and the manner in which they rattle off the answers reminds one much of a schoolboy reciting "Lucy Grey."

The two busiest corners in the city being the intersections of King and Queen on Yonge, it is naturally expected that the constables who regulate the traffic at those points are the most adept on the force. As a matter of fact, they are, and the things they know about the city are surprising. Perhaps at the same time they are the four best-known policemen on the force. It may be that they are not known by name, but at least they are by figure and gesture, for they have their mannerisms which one cannot forget. Any person who has traveled this city for any length of time will recognize all the accompanying photos, and doubtless he will recall times when the same bluecoats have been obliged to be authoritative when the same traveler was in an auto or other vehicle.

One of the men is W. R. McMenomy, commonly known as "Bill" or "Mac," and he enjoys the distinction of being the longest-service traffic regulator in the city. Of a rather sturdy figure, with a deliberate, emphatic gesture, The will be recognized by all as the man who rules the little kingdom at the corner of King and Yonge. He can't help being recognized, for he has been there ten years now, and is the day- duty man. Occasionally he has a day off, or takes the evening shift, but he's the rather dark man who could, if he would, nod to half the motor owners in town.

A Rather Likely Man. IN the days when it first occurred to the police to handle the street corners, "Mac" was brought up from Division Four as a likely man who would know where to find his own head in a case of emergency. At that time McMenomy had one year's experience on the force, so he still had his laurels to win. In due course the emergencies cropped up, and to know where "Mac" was at those times you have only to remember that he is still meeting them. An emergency, roughly defined, is a combination of facts thrust upon the officers-without a moment's warning, demanding a solution, and with the life of one or more citizens depending entirely upon that solution. For instance, there was a big skyscraper being built adjoining McMenomy's domain not many months ago, and one day a big plank fell from a scaffold way up. Out of the corner of his eye "Mac" saw the plank falling, and he also saw a teamster driving across the corner, straight under the falling weight. He could have folded his hands and shouted, but he didn't. Instead, he stopped the horse. It looks simple, yet it was a case where the seconds counted. That is only one instance of a quick wit in explanation of why a police constable may remain on one corner regulating traffic for ten years. The post is of too great importance to takes chances with inexperienced men.

Still, McMenomy may get his skill from heredity. It is to be recalled that at the time of "Mac's" birth his father was a police constable in the city of Ottawa, so the training has been there from the first. He is a young man yet, only thirty-two years of age, and his prospects of promotion are bright.

Hobson and Bolton. FARTHER up Yonge, at the other important crossing, Queen street, there are to be found two men, almost as well known to the general question-asking public, who alternate their duties during the busy hours. They are Ernest Hobson and Herbert Bolton. The first, who passes as Ernie, joined the force in 1903, and he takes a double-sided view of his position. Instead of claiming to be an educator of the public, he believes he is an absorber of knowledge, because of the chance he gets to study the general public. In the four years of his service at that post he has doubtless answered a hundred times the number of questions that the average citizen would answer in the same time. They pour in from morning till night, and so well does he know the city, its buildings, streets, etc., that very rarely he has to refer to his book of knowledge. He is a type of the collected officer, quick and firm, bit, as all other officers, he has a graded gesture. It is only human nature to expect that the style of gesture depends entirely on the tone of for some time might stand on the side- walk and know just the degree of humbleness or pride with which the questioner approached.

Like a Game of Chess. If the officer cuts away with a sharp, quick jerk, and doesn't waste any time over his words, all of which is in the regulations, you may know that somebody has said something like this: "Hi, Con., where's Queen street?" If the gesture is slightly prolonged, accompanied with the least bending of the neck, you can fancy something like this: "Officer, could you tell me where I could find so and so?"

Officer Hobson was once heard to remark that the position was something like a game of chess, as the man must keep his mind on the fact that somebody is depending upon his every move, that a false move is little less liable to leave him in predicament than it is the other person. For instance, the pedestrian public has learned to depend upon street cars being brought to a stop at just such a point every time, and, knowing this, they will take the chances of running in front of a moving car. Suppose the officer gave the wrong signal, what would happen to the citizen, and what would happen to the officer? Fire apparatus are always hard to handle, but it is astonishing how quickly one of these officers can clear a crossing of all vehicles and cars the moment he hears that clarion gong. A few months ago Officer Hobson proved his ability by leaping into a passing automobile which had knocked down a woman, arresting the driver, and forcing him to drive the injured person to the hospital. For this he obtained a merit mark, and he has three such marks to his credit.

A Veteran of the Navy. OFFICER BOLTON came to his duty on the same corner with a peculiar record. For five years he was a stoker in the Royal Navy, serving on H.M.S. Juno in the Mediterranean Sea, also at the coronation of King Edward at Spithead. He also served on H.M.S. Drake at the North American and West Indian Stations, and H.M.S. Iphigenia on the China Sea. At the time of the Russo-Japanese war Bolton did service on a torpedo-boat destroyer in the war zone, witnessed some of the engagements, and afterwards helped to clear away some of the broken mines and wrecks of Russian ships along the mercantile route of the British trade. In 1906 he joined the local force, and for the past three years has been on duty at the Queen street crossing.

The absurdity of some of the questions which are being hurled at him daily is one of the things which helps this officer to look cheerful. For instance, if somebody didn't come along about once a day, stare straight at the sign "Queen street," and ask him where they could find Queen street, he would not be happy. Also he doesn't in the least mind a citizen telling him there's a baby crying in front of Knox's, and would he mind going over and quietingit. One thing, however, which is aggravating is to be asked if he knows where Frank Jones lives. The helmet chin strap gives him trouble, the American visitor being the chief offenders, who cannot understand its use.

Study New York Methods. JUST how important the traffic regulation is being looked upon by the superior officers is shown by the fact that Chief Grasett has said that two men must go to New York soon to study methods in operation there. At the same time, it would seem that suggestions from the traffic squad themselves, the men who are in the midst of it for eight hours a day, wouldbe the most valuable.

It is to be recalled of Ernest Hobson that he was once called "Roosevelt the Second," the title being gained about two years ago when he shot a black bear not far from the corner. This last statement is not clipped from "The Star."

Image captions: SUPREME IN AUTHORITY AT TORONTO'S PRINCIPAL STREET INTERSECTIONS Left: POLICEMAN MCMENOMY who directs traffic at King and Yonge Sts. Top centre: Where Police Cons. McMenomy Lives

Bottom centre: Police Constables BOLTON AND HOBSON whose post of choice is at Queen and Yonge Streets