The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-06-17
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TOPROTECT CYCLISTS
Police and Aldermen Take
Steps for the Safety
of Wheelmeh.
AN INEFFICIENT R
Chief Murphy Earnestly Appeals
for More Patrolmen-Mr. Har-
rison's Suggestions.

Wheelmen appear 10 be engaging the at
teption of the city officials from the Mayor
down to the minor office holders In q
letter to the Street and Water Commls-
~sicners, which 1.-The News published in
fun yesterday, the Mayor recommended
d system of smooth surfaced streets for
The accommodation and comfort of bicy-
eiists. Yesterday afternoon the Police
Commissioners had an inning with
wheellnen, and last night the Aldermen
took action, which will doubtless lead to
the protection OF the rapidly growing
fraternity.
Alderman Moran, at the last meeting
OF the Board, introduced a resolution re-
qResting an opinion from the Corporation
Counsel whether the Board had the right
10 pass al ordinance fixing a penalty in
cases where persons were detected III
throwing sharp substances upon the
streets or roads which would puncture
bicycle tires and otherwise destroy
wheels.
IN a long opinion Corporation Counsel
Blair advised the Board last night that
the exclusive control Of the streets is
vested in the Street and Water Board,
and as a consequence the rigat and power
TO pass such an ordinance as Contemplated
rests entirely with that Board. Alderman
Moran was satisfied with Corporation
Counsel Blair's ruling. and in compliance.
with it. offered and secured the passage
of the following resolution
Whereas, Complaints have been made
ta the Board of Aldermen OF this CITY
relative to the placing OF sharp substances
in the streets whereby the tires OF picy-
cles are punctured and the macnines
themselves damaged. and
Whereas. This Board desires to afford
every protection to the large number OF
wheelmen in this city and 70 aid them IN.
their ~endeavors to procure anG preserve
good roads and pavements; and
"Whereas, The Corporation Counsel IN
his communication to this Board dated
June 16, says that under the act OF 1881,
the Board of Street and Water Commits
ssoners nave the sole power 10 regulate
and control the use OF streets, sldeMaiRs
ard public places in Jersey CITY; there
Resolved, That the Board of Street
and Water Commissioners are hereby re-
euested to take such action in the prem
ises as they may deem necessary
There was not a dissenting voice to the
resolution, and it is understood that q
committee of wheelmen will wait upon ths
Street and Water Commissioners ana
ask them to pass without delay an orain-
ment for such contemplate persons as
delight in littering the streets with tacks
and glass and other, destructive ops.seiss,
Police Commissioners in the afternoon y
likely to be productive of much gooa.
Colonel A slSiEea gom Is lust sssl FeeRey in IN
a bloomer suit has taken Asbury Hark
by storm, and even the stout Mr.. West
is said to be dailying with a veioclpeae
result the entire Board is mucn lnterestea
in everything pertaining TO Wheels Wnen
pers. The wheeling subject was brought
up by Mr.. H. Harrison. who is sup
posed to be the well known artist OF
that name, who wrote to the Board IN
= 3zo.+ f1tC
1T was my intention of meeting you
In person, but having to go out OF town
prevented me from carrying out my orig
about rules governing the wheel-riding
population, so that the safety OF cur fei-
low citizens who make the Hudson Bou-
served. 1t is unnecessary for me to men
ton to- you the numerous accidents Whlcn
on the part of the rider or the pedestrian,
First. the excessive and unreasonable Iast
riding at crossings and otherWlse, the
wheelmen should slacken his speed az tne
approach of pedestrians and Jump from
his wheel if necessary and not Jingle his
bell. I wish to state that I myself ride
a wheel, therefore my criticism Is not
spiteful; hoodlumism on wheels should be
suppressed as it is otherwise, but a gen
orally answered by a slang remark blythe
rider who labors under the impression
that he has the right of a
1.-THE carrying of lights is another fe3-,
ture ignored by many, and I reprimanded
several riders on Saturday one of whom
directed me to mind my own business A
little later l heard a crash and on riding
to the spot found my friend in collision
with another rider who had no light. They
would not tell me their names, and being
larger than I am had the advantage.
Lamps on vehicles should be ordered also.
On the same night the wheelmen collided
a prominent gentleman on the Hill was
run into by a rider who had no lights,
and the hogs, I cannot call them men, had
the impudence to find fault. and they had
then taken possession of nearly the whole
street with their carriage. Such matters.
ought to be controlled by city ordinances,
and those ordinances should be enforced.
A school teacher of Greenyille had her
life endangered recently by two riders
racing on the wrong side of the road. The
lady had d.smounted and threw herself
on the sidewalk to save her life. Another
teacher was recently attacked by a dog
and her skirts torn. / must also call the
attention sIaio ito to the the numbers y r Of young msn
ccngregate on the Boulevard sidewalk
and insult every woman rider who passes
who is not accompanied The supply of
policemen is not sufficient to suppress
these outlaws and men who delight in
committing misdeTneanors. Such dastardly
occurrences on the Hill are almost hourly.
Il would suggest that YOU. gentlemen,
adopt the plan the authorities of Geneva
and Philadelphia and other large cities
have. 1t Is to appoint citizens with police
power to serve as road officers without
salary l would have no difficulty In nam
ing twenty-five or thirty gentlemen who
would gladly serve in thisc capacity. Their
presence would, doubtless, *preserve peace
and order and assist policemen In the per-
formance of their duty. In naming such
road officers, it would be well to make
the appointees unattached wheelmen, as
It would prevent favoritism from being
shown"
The Commissioners regard the sugges-
taon as an excellent one, and referred the
whole matter to Chief of Police Murphy
with power. He is now ready to receive
applications for special police power for
road officers. In naming the special off,
GERS the chief is anxious to have every
part of the city represented on his new
Dtaff of mounted men. As soon as the staf
IS made up a general order will be issued
def1nipg the powers OF the men: Wheel
men will do. well to keep In mind the orr
dars the chief will issue. He has heard
Ut the foodlumdsm on the Boulevard, and
Tor several weeks has been planning for