Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-18
BICYCLES WITHOUT LAMPS
Riders Must Garry Lights or Be Ar
rested.
Judge Miller Expresses an Intention
to Fine All Ofenders-SeveraI
Cases Today.

Bicyclists who ride their silent steeds af-
ter shutdown without the light required by
law had better keep a sharp lookout for
the police, for the officers, or many of
them, are holding the riders to a strict
accountability, and where no lighted lamp
Is shown no excuse Is taken by the po-
licemen, but the wheelmen have to appear
in court and explain their conduct. And 1t
takes a good explanation to affect the
court in such matters. for the Judge real
ICES the danger to pedestrians resulting
from the moving of unlighted bicycles af-
ter shutdown. A number of persons have
been ridden down and injured and some of
this class of cases have found their way
to court. as well as those for not display
ing light. Recently the procession Of
District offenders in court has been partly
made up by some of the riders who could
when arrested
In almost every case heard by Judge
Miller fines have been imposed. and the
lowest fine provided by law Is IS. More
than one of these offenders was unable to
pay his fine and has had TO wear the
stripes.
Fortunately for those arrested last night
for violating this law all were able to de-
post collateral for their appearance.
One of them was Guy Underwood pri-
vate secretary to an Ohio Congressman,
and when he appeared for trial he plead
guilty and reserved the right to make a
statement.
II had been called out to Florida avenue
on business" he said, land borrowed the
wheel. as I expected to be gone only about
an hour. But / was detained and 1t was
about 10 o'clock when I was arrested"
Lawyer Holland said that Mr. Pugh had
consented to a proposition to take his per-
sonal bonds.
Judge Miller said he thought this law
ought to be enforced. Riders of bicycles
go along at the rate of ten or twenty miles
an hour. A pedestrian can go so fast and
no faster, and If a wheelman has no light
the pedestrian is at his mercy.
The judge said that he would not ignore
the recommendation OF the prosecutor and
took the mans personal bonds.
When Joseph Enrmantraut. boy, was
called on similar charge he plead guilty.
II started out with light" he said.
my lamp was on my wheel, but the light
went out and hadn't noticed it."
This excuse avafled the boy nothing, for
he had to pay five dollars.
John Simpson. a Christian Endeavorer.
who lives at Point Pleasant, w. Va, stop
ped here yesterday on his way home.
Lamps and bells are not required on wheels
at his home and he was told that they were
not necessary here.
Il went out near the cemetery to see
some friends" said the young man. II in
tended to return early, but my friends in
sisted on my staying to supper, and 1 was
delayed"
Judge Miller repeated that he believed
in the uniform enforcement Of the law and
that all offenders should be fined.
Pm glad to hear your honor say that, !"
said Mr.. Pugh. Judge Kimball has been
taking the personal bonds of these people
and gave the police no. encouragement to
enforce the law. People are constantly be-
ing run down and injured by bicycles. and
1 am glad your honor is going to impose
fines"
Simpson being stranger, an exception
was made in his case and his personal
bonds were taken.
Jake Catz was the last victim of the
bicycle law. He got on his wheel on Penn
sylvania avenue last night to ride two
squares to book store.
II had no OIL" he said, land as I was
not going on dark street I thought was
doing no harm"
The next time you go out after dark !
would advise you to have your lighted
lamp Oh your Wheel said the Judge.