In the 1920s, traffic towers controlled important intersections along the lower portion of Fifth Avenue.[6] The idea of using patrolmen to control traffic at busy Fifth Avenue intersections was introduced as early as 1914.[7] The first such towers were installed in 1920 upon a gift by Dr. John A. Harriss, who paid for patrolmen's sheds in the middle of Fifth Avenue at 34th, 38th, 42nd, 50th and 57th Streets.[8] Two years later, the Fifth Avenue Association gave seven 23-foot-high (7.0 m) bronze traffic towers, designed by Joseph H. Freedlander, at important intersections between 14th and 57th Streets for a total cost of $126,000.[9] The traffic signals reduced travel time along Fifth Avenue between 34th and 57th Streets, from 40 minutes before the installation of the traffic towers to 15 minutes afterward.[6] Freedlander's towers were removed in 1929 after they were deemed to be obstacles to the movement of traffic.[10] He was commissioned to design bronze traffic signals at the corners of these intersections, with statues of Mercury atop the signals.