The times., 1898-01-14
DRop.BAR CASE GOES OVER.
The Evidence of the Defense is
That They Are the Safest

That They Are the Safest.
The arrest of Mr.. Frederick W. Moore
on last Saturday night for the viola
tion of the new regulation promulgated
by the District Commissioners. which
prohibits the dropping Of the handle
bars of bicycles more than four inches
below the plane of the saddle, has been
the chief topic of discussion among the
riders of the District ever since. II
was not surprising then that when the
case came up for investigation yester-
day in the Police Court before Judge
Scott that the court room was crowded
with bicycle riders and bicycle dealers,
all of whom were deeply interested in
the result of the inEeStiga ton.
The story of Mr.. Moore's arrest on
last Saturday night for riding bicycle
with handlebars dropped more than
four inches below the level of his sad
die and the partial presentation OF the
case by the Government has already
been told i'll The Times. When the in
vestigation was continued on Monday
il was stated that the arrest of Mr..
Moore would be used by the bicycle
riders of the District to test the validity
of the new police rule relative to the
riding Of bicycles in the District At
the hearing on Monday the defendant
was represented by Mr.. W G. Reed and
the local bicycle dealers generally by
Mr.. d. s. Mackall. The Government
was represented by Assistant United
States District Attorney James L.
Pugh.
Before offering any evidence Mr.
Mackall asked Judge Scott to rule. first
as To the constitutionaiity of the new
law promulgated by the commissioners.
and second, as to its unreasona bleness
because of its interference with the
comfort and pleasure and personal
privileges of the citizens of the Dis
trict.
Both motions We're overruled by
Judge Scott, and the defense took ex-
ceptions to the ruling
The defense then put up expert tes-
timony to show that the regulation is
unreasonable and oppressive. The
first witness was the defendent. Mr..
Fred w. Moore. who said he has ridden
constantly for ten years, and under
stands fully how to manage and con-
troll a bicycle. When arrested was
using rams horn" bar. He can
control wheel better with a drop
handlebar than with it raised Can see
as far ahead from such bars as any
other, and can go through a crowd
To explain the matter Judge Scott
requested Mr.. Moore TO bring his wheel
into the courtroom and demonstrate his
testimony. Continuing his evidence.
Mr. Moore said that % per cent of the
riders of Washington use the drop"
bar. He also testified that the bicycle
police squads use drop bars. At least
two-thirds of the male riders use q
drop bar. Expert and accomplished
riders have been using the drop bar
for the last seven or eight years The
low handlebar is the best to avoid acci-
dents.
On cross-examination by Assistant
United States District Attorney Pugh,
Mr. Moore said that beginners used
raised bars. He explained that the
high bars gave teacher a better pur-
chase on the learner. The riders did
not protest against the bell and
lamp" regulation. They never came
into court about it unless ''pinched"
F. ]. Marble, for the defense. said
that about one-half of the male
riders of the District use the
drop bar: 1t gives better control of
the wheel without exception, he said
The members of the police bicycle
squad use bars with drop of
from eight to ten inches below the sad
die. The style of bar has nothing
whatever to do with the straight ahead
vision of the rider. He has seen be-
ginners taught on drop bars.
John NJ. Manning. an old and expe-
rienced rider, testified that about
one-half of the male riders of
Washington use low bars; they give
a better purchase" to manage their
wheels and in no way interfere with
the vision to the front. 1t would tend
to the safety of the public TO allow
riders to use the drop" bar.
Mr.. w. j. Prince, clerk. a rider for
three or four years, said that the drop
or rams horn is the safest. The rider
can see over it as we'll as any other.
He said he is opposed to-the regulation
because he can not manage his wheel
as well with a raised bar
Fred II. Ernest. an expert rider. said
the drop bar" is safer than any other
Mr.. F. c. Potts, a rider for fourteen
years, who has ridden all styles of |
wheels, said he considers the drop"
bar the safest of all used On account |
of the new regulation, he has raised |
his bars and has had two accidents
since.
He thinks nine-tenths of the MEM /
Ders of his club use the ..fow, or drop
oar.' Il think" said he, my personal |
privileges are interfered WITH
Mr.. Moore was recalled to show that |
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