DIN IN NEW YORK

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 34, 30 January 1930, Page 12

DIN IN NEW YORK

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELIEF,

;The Commissioner of Health for _.JJew York City has issued the following suggestions to combat the myriads of city noises that make New Yorkers the most highly-strung people on earth:"—

. For Automobiles.—-(1) Look to the brakes on your car; squeaking, brakes cause a large share of the complaints received! during the year. (2) Don't toot the horn unnecessarily. Tooting to attract the attention of - your friends ,in the house is lazy and selfish. Tooting during traffic waits accomplishes nothing, but increases the nervous tension of ihose waiting in line arid irritates everyone within earshot. " (3) Is the muffler-loose on your., car. The accumur lated sound caused- by loose mufflers creates much :of ■ the unpleasant pounding and, jarring of traffic, also causes louder exhaust cut-oats. (4) Equip all possible trucks with pneumatic tyres.

For. KadicT Owners.—(l) Don't let loud-speakers in shops and dwellings /rise above the natural loudness of the human voice. It is as inconsiderate to penetrate into,, other's dwellings and places of business with the magnified .tones of radio loud-speakers as if would be to enter and shout. Also, it is just" about as likely to get you into trouble.

For Householders:—-(1) Give the children the quietest rooms in which to sleep. (2) Use sound-absorbing rugs, draperies, screens and shelf-linings-— especially in bedrooms—to overcome noises entering, from the outside. (3) Don't give parties often enough to get on the neighbours* nerves. (4)' Don't indulge in loud music, laughter and conversation after the children have gone to bed) unless their rooms are insulated .against noise from the rest of the house. (5) XJse shack-absorbing ashcans. A mat of hemp or rubber fixed to the base of the can will take care of this, or mats can be placed on the sidewalk to .receive the cans. (6) Dog-owners should endeavour to keep their animals quiet.

For Office Workers!—(l) Make the fullest use of sound absorbing partitions and screens, both to dull the office caused noise and to absorb street noises. (2) Put noisy machines where they can least disturb everyone concerned, and make full use of mats to absorb sound. (3) Speak directly into the 'phone— there is no need then of speaking so loudly that others- in the office have to hear 'your conversation.

- Etiquette for the Street. —(1). Young." people, should 'refrain from front-stoop" concerts during reasonable sleeping hours for the people in the neighbourhood. (2) Taxi-drivers waiting at allnight stands should refrain from loud

talking. (3) Doormen should use flashlight signals "v>r. number board signals instead of whistles as soon as darkness falls. (4) Milkilren and garbargemen Should refrain from shouting while they are on their .rounds.