MUSSOLINI DECLARES ITALY’S STREETS MUST BE SILENT

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6814, 18 January 1929, Page 3

MUSSOLINI DECLARES ITALY’S STREETS MUST BE SILENT

Since Signor Mussolini has declared the abolition of street noises in Italy different Government departments are now studying ways and means whereby the decree can bo entered (writes the Rome correspondent of the ‘Daily Chronicle ’). Noise is inevitable in a country whore from time immemorial the people have practically lived in the street, have acquired the habit of shouting instead of talking, and arc inclined to burst into song when they have nothing to shout about. Motoring has increased the din greatly, as the “legal” way to drive a car in Italy is to steer it with one hand ancl hoot with the other. One is bound to hoot at every street corner, and one’s enjoined to hoot at every bend on a country road. Large notice boards on highways warn motorists of a corner, adding “Keep your hand and hoot-.” And motorists in Italy do, indeed, go with a blare, as when Matthew Arnold’s noble Roman “drove abroad in furious guise along the Appian Way.” Then, pedestrians prefer the middle of the street when they aro strolling about. If ono happens to be reading & newspaper he does not put it aside when he crosses a street. A certain amount of hooting must, therefore, survive.

It has accordingly been decided to lower the timbre of claxons and horns in order to ensure at least harmonious sounds. Later, newsboys will bo forbidden to “shout” their papers; hawkers will sell their wares silently; and all peoplo will hold (heir street conversations in a low tone and a soft voice. Singing in the streets will cease, and even workmen will not sing at their work. Even in narrow streets, with houses on each side almost touching, conversations between neighbours across the street will not be carried

Bell-ringing has not escaped the notice of the officials studying the noise problem. Special restrictions will limit the timo when bells can be rung. The faithful will no longer be called to prayer by church bells too early in tbe morning; and tho thousands of feasts for saints will not be celebrated as heretofore by continuous boll ringing.

Sound-proof bouses will be built, so that their occupants will not be disturbed by the noises made bv theit neighbours (or vice Versa). Factories will be transferred to the country Carpenters, ironsmiths. coopers, metalworkers, and others will have to learn how to work as the builders of Solomon’s Teriiple worked (“There was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard.” —I Kings vi., 7). All this seems as if it cannot be till the recurrence of the Saturnian golden age of Virgil’s ‘Pollio,’ but Fascism can do miracles, and such is the end tho new laws will aim at.

Above is merely an outline, and incomplete at that, of the measures suggested by the officials entrusted with the study of the noise problem. Anyone with experience of this country realises that noise is as necessary to the average Italian as the air he breathes, and that even Signor Mussolini’s iron will and severe legislation may not make them silent. All the same, tho attempt to deaden noise will be made in the name of the Fascist law.