Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-05
AFTER THE WHEELMEN
Police Intend to Enforce the Bicycle Regu-
lations.
Riding With Hands on the Bars Al.
lownble-Warrantsf for Riders
Without Bells.

Bicycle riders are to have their day in
court and several hundred dollars are
likely tc be paid into the District during
the next few weeks. Through the columns
of The Star the wheelmen have been noti-
fed Of the laws relating to bicycling, and
those who have not taken advantage of
the warning ore getting in trouble. AS
published in The Star yesterday, the order
TO enforce the law requiring riders to have
their wheels under control at all times
went into effect, and the police were on
the alert all day, but only one arrest was
made. This victim was w. B. Wilson, but
the facts did not present a fair test case
of coasting. He was On 18th street on a
bicycle weighing fully thirty-fiIe pounds.
ana was on ar incline riding with his hands
of at the time he was arrested.
The only question before the court was
whether or not the rider had his wheel
fully under control when his hands were
OH. On his point Prof. j. ID. Hird, who
Is an experienced rider, was called, and it
was his opinion that the man had his
wheel under control at the time of his ar
rest. He said. However, that the rider
would be a a disadvantage should he meet
a fast-noving vehicle If he had his hands
off the har die bars
The defendant claimed that he was an
expert rider, and he thought he had his
wheel under full control at the time the
officer stopped him.
Prosecuting Attorney Pugh cited the evil
dence of Prof. Hird as an expert to the eff
feet that the rider would be at a dsad-
vantage Lrder certain conditions, and
thought the court should hold the defend
ant
Judge kimball took the contrary view.
He thought in this particular case, with
the wheel on an incline. the rider had full
control over his vehicle. In dismissing the
charge the judge said he was not deciding
points involved under the law. in these
cases, he said. the facts in each case would
have to determine whether or not the law
was violated.
While this extra effort on part of the po-
lice to apprehend offenders of the bicycle
law was occasioned by the many accidents
resulting from reckless riding, the officers
will enforce all provisions of the law, and
the result is that today there was a demand
for bells for wheels. This was no doubt the
result of the action of Policeman Boyce,
who was on duty at 9th and + streets yes
terday. He stopped many wheelmen who
did not have bells attached to their wheels
Instead of arresting them he took their
names and addresses, and today he swore
out thirteen warrants against the follow
ing: Seldom NJ. Lee, Edward Eshleman,
Ross Fernow. Maurice II. Jones, Harry T.
Wilder, Harry B. Moore. Mark o. Davis,
John +. Hill. Charles Ford. Rufus II. Ser
Eeart, Frank Halford, Albert White and
John N Webb.
When the news of this officers action
reached the ears of wheelmen some of them
went out last night to get what amusement
they could out of a burlesque. They car
ried with them COW bells, dinner bells and
sleigh bells. There were some who carried
ordinary stable lanterns, while others car
ried headlights almost large enough for a
locomotive. None of them We're arrested,
but the police have been notified that as the
law designates light gongs they are violat-
ing the law as much with heavy bells as If
they were without them.
Several complaints have been made
against xheelmen coasting down Capitol
Hill. and a special watch will be put on
them in the grounds. ..-.....'
The warrants issued today will be returned
later in the week.
Willis j. Edwards was charged in court
today with not having lighted lamp on his
wheel last night, and he forfeited s. col
lateral.
Darlington Gladman was before the court
on similar charge. He admitted his guilt
but claimed that his light had been out only
few minutes and said his lamp was hot
when the policeman stopped him.
What about this sta tement?" Policeman
Conner was asked.
We'll, your honor, the lamp was warm -
he admitted. but the weather was warm
last night, and that was probably why the
lamp was warm
Judge Kimball thought that the young
mans excuse was a good one and suspended
sentence.