CAUSE
Report of the General Superintendent of Police of the City Council for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1911.
Mounted Squadron.
The number of horses used by the Mounted Squadron up to December 1st was 49, at which time 6 more were added. It is intended during the coming year to largely increase this number so that the territory covered by the Mounted Squadron may be greatly extended. This is. absolutely necessary in order that the traffic conditions may be improved on account of the congestion in the loop district. The street car tracks must be kept clear and this may be done only by increasing the number of mounted police officers.
The work accomplished by the Mounted Squadron under trying conditions during the past year has been very gratifying.
ACTION.
Chicago Commerce Magazine, May 19, 1911
Studies In Traffic Congestion Regulation
The accompanying photos, supplied by Capt. Healey of the mounted police, suggest how pressing is Chicago’s problem of transportation, and how well the traffic difficulties of the business district are met by the efficient service of both arms of the police department. The many great sky-scrapers projected, each housing a small town, do not contribute any simplifying factors to this problem. Upon the other hand, Chicago is showing as never before competency to cope with this situation.
At the Right Things Are Moving Comfortably at Clark Street Bridge; but Something Butts in from the Ample Supply on the Left or from the Unseen Far Right, and There You Are.
For Five Minutes the Police Refrained from Regulation of Traffic at Randolph and Dearborn Streets, and This Situation of Confusion Confounded Resulted. (Mounted Officer and other Policemen can be seen on the bottom of photograph.)
There Is Aways Plenty Doing on the Four Streets Bounding the Federal Building, But You Never Fully Realize It Until Something Goes Wrong
The Police Were Removed from This District, State and Madison Streets, for Three and One-Half Minutes.
Flow of Traffic One Minute After Blockade Shown in Above Cut Had Been Lifted,
In This Situation, State and Randolph Streets, a Blockade Has Been P ermitted to Form by the Momentary Withdrawal of the Police. The Currents Are Resuming Their Normal Flow in One of Chicago’s Confusing Traffic Centers.
A Normal Situation Preserved by Due Regard for the Rules of the Road. That is to Say Teamsters Changing Direction at Crossings Keep to the Outside, and if No Breakdowns Occur Traffic Moves to the Whistle in Uninterrupted Harmony.
RESULT.
Report of the General Superintendent of Police of the City Council for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 1912.
Traffic.
Congestion of traffic in the loop district has been given our most serious attention. I believe that the control of pedestrians at street corners is a step in the right direction. The plan to regulate traffic in alleys should be adopted, and, I think, would materially assist in relieving congested traffic. Provisions should be made to take care of automobiles in the loop district during the day.
Mounted Squadron.
On January 1, 1912, the Mounted Squadron was composed of 77 men, including officers, and 59 horses; the territory covered was the business district from Kinzie to 16th streets and Canal street to Michigan avenue. Today the roster consists of 158 men and 136 horses, and the territory covered during the year was extended along the principal thoroughfares such as Milwaukee avenue, Clark street, North avenue, Blue Island avenue, Harrison and Halsted streets. In addition to this extension of the mounted service, mounted officers have been detailed at seven of the outlying precincts to perform regular patrol duty as well as to regulate traffic. This branch of the service has been favorably commented upon by citizens and I believe that it should be increased at least 50 per cent.
Intersection of La Salle and Monroe streets in 1912 reflecting the popularity of the automobile and the always growing need for traffic control.