Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-07
FOR AVOIDING ACCIDENTS
Suggestions by Major Sylvester, superin-
tendent Of Metropolitan Police. :
Believes Vehicles Should he Desfx-
Bicycles should He Registered.

The recent accidents to pedestrians in
| this city through what is alleged to have
| been reckless driving on the part of coach
| men, or absolute ignorance on their part
! Of the laws of the street, have received a
| good deal of attention by Major Sylvester.
| superintendent of police, and he has deter
| mined something should be done to remedy
! existing conditions. Major Sylvester gave
| much thought to the matter during his
| recent convalescence from illness at his
| home, and when seen by d Star reporter
| today at his office he spoke of the whole
question, among other things repeating the
| suggestions made in his recent annual re-
| port for registering and numbering We
| hicles.
Major Sylvester said:
when you find pavements afford more
inviting promenade than sidewalks, the
chances for injury to the pedestrian are in
creased. The same rule holds good where
street crossings for the footman are not
well defined. Not only do children abandon
an irregular brick sidewalk, when out on
parade, but it is quite natural that they
should select the smooth asphaltum to
"hop-scotch'' and roll marbles upon.
They are nimble, however, and while gen.
orally UNCONSCIOUS of danger, make many
hairbreadth escapes from the passing wag-
on wheels or bicycle.
1t is the fast or reckless driver. usually,
warning will not keep the little one from
pursuing playmate into the smooth as
phaltum roadway. A grown person will
give more attention to personal security,
but, in this city, he is the patron of the
street well as the child. The fully de-
veloped man will patronize the street as
walk and condemn the child for doing the
same thing. There are many infirm, deaf
and even partially blind pedestrians who
venture along the roadways and endeavor
to hurry at the crossings, who should have
attendants when they mingle with the busy
throng.
When an owner drives his team he in
varlably exercises caution, Stacks his pace
at crossings and reins up for a pedestrian,
though the latter often aggravates by de-
Hberately obstructing. l know of case
where woman stopped in front of a team
conveying gentleman and his family at
the crossing, and, with an oath, dared the
owner to drive on her. III sue you fer
damages she cried
Reckless Drivers Hired Ones.
THE fast and reckless drivers are the
hired ones, who frequently stand on the
step of the milk wagon, run into prem
ises, deposit a bottle of fluid, pursue their
wagon, perform the feat of jumping into
the vehicle while it is moving and cut the
poor horse a lash with the whip, while the
reins hang suspended from hook in the
wagon canopy.
Then there is the pole wagon used by
lumber merchants. The driver makes
long, slow haul to deliver a heavy load, and
returns along the weli-paved streets at the
best speed his team can make.
The brickyard driver almost sleeps as
he goes to deliver, but slashes and tears
when in procession he returns with his
empty
There are those who drive the weii-worn
hacks with the societies, in funeral process
sion, to the time of the dead march, to the
cemetery, who race along the avenues for
first place returning. The night liners, too,
need but to hear faint whistle to cause
their full coterie of Rough Riders to dart
forth for the suspected patron.
The hired gentry in livery marshal with
in their clan some few members who would,
at times, run down or whip policeman.
In fact, such is the record. AS a class,
however, these men know the rules of the
road and the consequent damages that will
enSue to the master when unWarranted
mistakes are made.
"Reverting to pedestrians whether deaf,
dumb, blind or aged, an employed driver
usually proceeds the principle let them
look out on the theory that all are con-
scious and careful A woman in crossing
thoroughfare. when she imagines that
horse is about to step on her. will usually
turn and attempt to retreat and an acct
dent follows, while a man, like situated,
will go straight ahead and avoid injury.
Hence the greater proportion of accidents
among women than men under such condi-
tiOnS.