Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-04
FAST DRIVING IN THE STREET.
Mai. Moore Answers Some Inquiries
From the House..

FAST DRIVING IN THE STREET.
Maj. Moore Answers Some Inquiries
From the House.
HE SAYS THE LAW AND REGULATIONS ARE EN-
foRoEp-THK sTREKr SWEEPING CONTRACT
DIFFICULTY OF KEEPING THE ASPHALT PAVE
MENTs CLEAN.
The resolution of the House Of Representa-
tives requesting Information respecting the
measures taken to prevent reckless driving in
the streets and the obstruction of streets by We
hicles and for infor nation as to the response
bility for inadequate sweeping Of the streets
was replied to by the Commissioner today by
forwarding a report of Maj. Moore, submitted
to them at their request.
Maj. Moore in his report says that every
possible effort has been made by him to enforce
the police regulations pertaining to reckless
driving. In evidence Of this fact an examina-
ton of the records of this office shows that
from the list of July, 1889, to the LIST Of May,
1870, eighty-three persons were arrested upon
the charge of fast driving.
During the same period there were brought
before the Police Court twenty persons Oh the
charge OF reckless driving. Other arrests aris-
ing from fast and reckless driving have been
made. but upon investigation by the district
attorney were found to be cases of assault and
battery. and as such we're tried and classified
on the police records.
LOOKING OUT FOR PEDESTRIANS.
The police regulations, he says, does not pre-
scribe that the rate of speed shall be lessened
at street crossings, but only when corners are
TO be turned. The police have been enjoined,
however, rigidly to enforce the requirement
that every vehicle shall make way for pedes-
TRANS at the street crossings" but it IL difficult
to carry into effect these instructions for
diately after the addition Of ffty-six men to
the force on the LIST Of July last details were
made at some Of the principal street and
avenue crossings, but only a few officers could
be spared for this purpose. 1t is hoped
that Congress will grant such an
as will enable proper protection to be given to
the more important street Intersections. The
necessity OF doing so is shown by the fact that
the largest number Of arrests for unlawful
driving during the present year has been made
at Pennsylvania avenue and 7th street north
west. where an officer Is constantly stationed.
The smooth surfaces Of the streets are an
ever-present temptation to fast and reckless
driving. Not only are they used by pedes-
trians in preference to indifferentiy paved side
walks, but they are converted into play grounds
by children. and complaint is often made by
those who ride or drive of the annoyance and
risk which they incur, even when they exer-
else the utmost care.
MANY difficulties attend the arrest and con.
victlon OF offenders of this particular police
regulation. The rate Of speed cannot readily
be determined. and it is not an easy
task to identify or overtake an offender.
II he happens to be the coachman Of q
dignitary, the officer receives the insolenoe of
the former and threats from the latter, fol-
lowed, it may be. by n complaint against the
policeman. Nevertheless the men of the force,
as g rule, are keenly alive to their duties in
this respect, and are, ! believe, endeavoring to
perform them"
As to the inquiry az to distractions OF street
the resolution contains the first complaint
made is evidence that the duty of the police in
this regard is fulfilled.
THE STREET SWEEPING.
In response to the inquiry respecting street
sweeping Maj. Moore describes the manner in
which the work is done and supervised. On
our smooth streets and avenues, he says, dirt
which would be hardly dIscernible were they
roughly paved becomes conspicuous,
and after the early morning
travel OF market. ice, huckster and
building operations and for other purposes, il
is difficult to believe that the sun had risen
and g~lissensd on clearly swept th~oroughfares.
Furthermore. the appropriation Is not sufficient
for extending the work daily to interesting
streets. and as a consequence the dirt from
them is carried by hoofs, wheels and winds to
soil well swept carriageways.
The contractor for street sweeping is Felix
III. Draney and the contract, Maj. Moore says,
Is not sublet.
Il am not able" the major says, ''to give
the reasons for the alleged gross and con-
tinued remissness Of the contractors In not
properly removing the sweepings after they
have been swept into the gutter Remissness
OF this or any other kind is. as has already
been explained, remedied with the least DOS
sible delay.
NO COMPLAINT FROM cIrlzHys.
I'm submitting this report it is but Just to my
self to say that so far as I can learn the charges
50 directly made against me in this resolution
are not founded upon any petition or complaint
from the citizens Of the District of Columbia.
! have no reason to believe that my ADMINISTERS
Objectionable to them. It has been my ambi-
! ton and endeavor to make the local police
force in efficiency and discipline worthy the
seat OF government OF the United States. II
In this / have failed, if life and property here
are less secure than In any other city
will cheerfully surrender this onerous
and responsible Office, with the single regret
that l have not been able to accomplish the
unselfsh purposes which induced me to be-
come the head Of the police department Of this
| District.
'The Commissioner are we'll aware of the up-
willingness with which. under their orders, I
assumed charge of the street sweeping and
cleaning service. In every large city
1t is the principal source of complaint,
and here it should be placed under
the control of a single bureau, not ~burdened,
almost without limit, and which tax to the
utmost the activity and intelligence Of the