Down Decibels

Mexico City's noise had got on people's nerves. Last week Federal District Governor Javier Rojo Gomez announced that a five-year-old statute sharply curbing noises after 11 p.m. would be strictly enforced. After that hour cars must not sound Klaxons, streetcars must not use air whistles, jukeboxes must be played only behind closed doors, people must not shout either in joy or in anger, and anyone wishing to give a gallo (serenade) might do so only with police permission.

Just why Mexican drivers use their Klaxons continually has caused much speculation. One obvious reason: the lack of traffic lights and direction at busy intersections. But horns are honked at lighted corners too, and many times horns are honked continually out of exuberance. Said one philosophical Mexican: "It is a form of national egomania. For so long we were without such wonderful material possessions. Now if a man has an automobile or at least can sit behind the wheel of one, he wants to advertise it to the world, just as some of us who have electric refrigerators place them in the best part of the house."

Considerately, the District Government delayed antinoise enforcement until Monday night, close of the three-day celebration of Mexico's independence, noisiest weekend of the year.

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