New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-04
CARRIAGE LIGHTS NEEDED.
ROBERT wHrrTEMoRE's DEATH ARousEs
MUCH DISCUSSION.
PROTEST AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
Mr.. DREAMER TO BE EXAMINED
on TUESDAY.

on TUESDAY
The death Of Robert Whittemore. the voune
bicyclist who was killed on Wednesday night bv
riding into the shaft OF buggy driven by
Charles NJ Dreamer. at Ninth-ave and Third St
was the subject Of much conversation Yesterday
especially among wheelmen 1t was said many
times yesterday that Whttemore's death was
the result Of an accident, the Ike OF viii n nigh:
happen a dozen times night throughout the
summer. Similar accidents with less serious re-
suits are of frequent occurrence. it is said, on
streets where cyclists are numerous, but they
are rarely reported to the police
Notwithstanding city ordinance which pro-
vdes that all carriages must after dark be pro-
vded with lights. fully three quarters of the per-
sons who take night drives within the city travel
over the roads without a lamp lantern
their vehicles. Bicyclists have frequently
planned that there is justice in the dscrimina-
ton against them in the enforcement of this
ordinance.
No wheelman is allowed at any time to ride
after nightfa without a lighted lamp his
wheel. The extreme point of injustice IN this
particular was reached a short time ago when
wheelman, whose lamp was broken. secured
japanese lantern and hung 1t over his handebar
in order to comply as best he could with the law
While riding home from Coney Island on the
cycle path with his japanese lantern plainly Wis
ibe on the handebar he stopped by po-
iceman and compelled to walk home. The Off
Ger of the law found justification for this demand
in the statement in the ordinance which says
that lamps" must be used. The difference be-
tween lamp and lantern was so great In the
officers estimation that he felt justified in max
ing the unfortunate wheelman dsmount and
walk.
Wheelmen say that II is not easy as might
be supposed for them TO detect the al proach OF
a carriage on dark nights The rule. keep
to your right" furnishes slight security against
collisions, and the noise made by an approach
ing carriage is more frequently than not of little
aid in giving warning. especially on smooth
asphalt pavement
1T is my belief that the ordnance which
saws that all vehicles shall carry lighted lamps
at night applies to carriages and wagons as wei
as BICYCLES" said wheelman yesterday. and
| cannot understand why cyclists are discriml-
mated against Cyclists frequently get INTO
good deal Of trouble by the oil in their lamps
burning out or by strong breeze blowing
their lights ont, for no lamp has yet been manu-
featured which is absolutely wind-proof ana IN
such cases the unfortunate wheehnan is taken
off 10 the station house and made to pay hne
of 81 and sometimes SO ! have never heard
Of a carriage being stopped by an ofilcer De
cause IL carried lamps. In collision be
tween bicycle and a carriage, the plcycie Is
invariably injured while the carriage Is never
damaged to any extent. The cyclist therefore,
who does not protect himself by carrying
lamp is worse than fool
Mr. Creaner's examination was set down Tor
next Tuesday He reluctant to speak about
tho accident when seen by a reporter yesterday,
and seemed to be greatly affected by IT, he
said that he Was driving along Ninth-aVe. al a
moderate rate. when the young man came ooWl
the avenue at a terrific speed, and hao struck
the carriage shaft before he could turn MS
horse out. He said he believed the real cause
Of the accident was that young Whittemore
wac going too fast 70 control his wheel ana
could not recover himself when he saw the car
rage before him.