Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-22

Two ndo Deen caused In dAyngnt. he re-
ferred to what he insisted would be a great
annoyance and hardship to not only gro
cerymen, but also to their customers, by
the arrest OF drivers who might be caught
without lights.
Mr.. A. NJ. Lothrop of the firm of Wood
ward & Lothrop said they have never had
an accident caused by a wagon Of theirs
In the night time. although they have
night Their wagons carry lights inside.
and he could see absolutely TO necessity
whatever for the regulation proposed, par
ticuiariy when no one seemed to have de-
manded it.
Not an Advocate of Lights Present.
Mr.. James F. Oyster called attention to
the fact that. although he has very many
wagons in operation, sometimes running
after dark, no accident has ever been
caused by any Of them through the abb
sence of light on 1t. He spoke OF the
annoyance which would be caused not
only to him, but also his customers, by
the enforcement of the regulation and the
arrest of drivers who might be forgetful
or careless In the matter of carrying lights.
ne also referred to the great expense the
enforcement would necessarily cause bust
ness men, and said he could see no public
necessity for the law.
Mr.. John L. Newbold of the Merchants
Parcel Delivery Company called the COM
missioners attention TO the fact that not
person was present at the hearing to
advocate the regulation. In that connec-
ton he referred to the presence Of as rep
resentative business class in opposition
as could well be found in the District. and
declared that the fact that there appeared
to be absolutely no public demand for the
regulation should in itself convince the
Commissioners that it is neither q neces-
sity nor just or fair law. He also thought
the users of the heavy vehicles are respon-
slble enough now for the conduct of their
drivers.
Flour and Feed Dealers Protest.
On behalf of the flour and feed dealers,
Mr.. Theodore ]. Mayer of the firm of Gal,
& Company said the regulation would not
only be a great hardship on them hut
would also endanger the safety of their
wagons and their contents, as well as their
warehouses. Particularly would that be so
IN case OF hay wagons. and where wagons
carrying lights passed into warehouses
The regulation would cause danger. there
lore, as well as no inconsiderable annoy
ance, and, as the business men of the Dis
trict have, he said. about all they can con-
tend against now, he hoped the regulation
would be reScinded.
Mr. lsadore Saks said that in his thirty
years exI erience no accident has yet been
caused by one of his wagons through the
absence of lights. Those which have oc-
CURED were in the daytime, and were due
more than to anything else to wheelmen.
BUSINESS people could not secure drivers of
perfect intelligence, and as drivers are
often very careless, the enforcement of the
regulation would mean their arrest very
often and the consequent delay in the de-
livery OF goods much to the annoyance Of
the purchasing public and to the loss of
business men. AS one had thought
enough of the regulation to appear in it's
advocacy, Mr.. Saks thought that was the
best evidence in the world that there is no
public demand for it's enforcement and the
best of reasons why it should never have
been made.
Farmers Equally Opposed.
Replying to an inquiry of Mr.. Magruder,
Commissioner Ross said that the regulation
would apply to farmers and to belated
drivers as well, whereupon Mr.. Magruder
said that although the people of the Dis
trict have no Congressman to- protect them,
the farmers would very soon seek the as
s1stance of their representatives in obtain
ing the repeal of the regulation.
Mr. A. NJ. Stabler of Montgomery coun-
ty, Md, explained that he represented the
farming interests in the matter, and en-
tered protest in their behalf against the
enforcement of the regulation.
Mr.. Frank B. Noyes closed the discus
sion, remarking that the carrying of lights
in wagons would not meet the requirements
OF the regulation. for it requires lights to
be displayed as perhaps they have never
been displayed before, and in a manner 10
light yet designed could well answer.
Pertinent Points Presented.
He referred to the absence from the
hearing of those in favor of the regula-
SPECIALLY invited through the newspapers
by the Commissioners. The regulation he !
regarded as not only a reflection upon the
system of street lighting here, but also
decided step backward, with about as
much reason for 1t as there would be
in these days for the ringing of bells on |
wagons In the day time or for Washington |
pedestrians carrying lanterns at night. |
Again, referring to the absence of the ad- |
horn
Mr. Noyes said he hoped that If any argu-
ment should be advanced in favor of it
those opposing it would be promptly ac-
quainted with it, so that they might meet
1t at once.
Remarking that there seemed to be but
one opinion on the subject, Commissioner
Ross adjourned the hearing with the sta.e-
ment that the subject will be very care
fully considered by the Commissioners and
disposed of as promptly as possible.
Among those present at the hearing were
Messrs A. M Lothrop, Isadore saks. Frank
B. Noyes. James F. Oyster Theo J. Mayer,
Samuel Ross T. L. Holbrook, John L.
Newbold, Ralph l.. Gait, John H Ma
gruder, w. s. Knox. Edward Graves. A.
w. H. Moses. A. Geary Johnson and many
others.
Regulation Rescinded.
The Commissioners. after hearing num-
Der Of callers on ether subjects, immedi-
ately took up the question of the regu,a-
tscn requiring lights on vehicles, and, after
brief discussion, decided to rescind The
regulation. Therefore they directed that
the following order be drawn up for their
approval, and it was signed this after
neon:
"Order ed: That in view of the expression
Of opinion at the hearing on this date be-
fore tie Commissioners from so many of
the representative business men of the
District in opposition to section II of
article 10 Of the police regulations of the
District of Columbia, as amended Deem
Der A. 1897. and February %, 1898, said
section II is hereby rescinded."
This action Of the Commissioners will
not, of course. revoke that section of the
police regulations which requires that all
public vehicles for hire shall carry lights
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN.