New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-04
M0TOR CARS A NUISANCE IN PARIS.
THE AUTHORITIES ARE UNABLE TO REGULATE
THEM

THE AUTHORITIES ARE UNABLE TO REGULATE
THEM
Paris correspondence of The Pail Mall Gazette.
police court magistrate has been found with
the courage to infict a swinging fine on q
motor car driver who rather than slacken
spe ed, elected to full tilt into the miniature
tramway that plies between the Porte Maillot
and the Geological Gardens. The sentence has
provoked quite Il display of popular enthusiasm
People have written to the papers TO express
their heartfelt satisfaction. and in Paris people
only write to the papers on extraordinary occa-
SiOnS.
sance has assumed intolerable proportions IN
less renediary measures are taken between now
and the Exhibition. positive hecatOmbs OF IN
wary foreigners and beWldered yOhelS are 10
be expected. The craze for motor cars has now
been raging for a year and more with undated
intensity The best known firms are still unable
TO meet the demand for their machines but In
the course of the last twelve. months an enor-
nous number Of the terrible sonveyances' nave
been let loose in the streets.
There is authoritative opinion in support or
the contention that the Partisan cabman, thanks
to his egregious incapacity atd his numerous
instincts, is of the most dangerous enemies
the pedestrian can encounter, but a worse Ihan
the cabman has been found in the person OF
the chauffeur or motor car driver 10 FORM any
idea of the habits of this sCOurge he must ne
seen at work on his native asphalt. His am
bition is that poor folk foot should stand
agape as he passes To this end he acts as IL
all the capital were a racing track He
"scorches" through the streets rule on the
ners; he darts this way and that with the ut
most possible unexpectedness; and he let's OF
tets of steam or arranges a series of imitation
explosions when he sights a timid old man
or a skittish horse.
The authorities are at their wits end. The
police have issued orders, the Municipal Coun-
/ Gil has drawn up regulations, but all TO no pur-
pose. Il being almost impossible to catch the
offenders, they snap their fingers at official in
tel ference Some time ago four inspectors OF
automobiles were appointed. 1t pleasure
/ to read their instructions. They were TO make
arrests on the slightest Infringement of the law
and without respect of persons. Mounted
species of motor car catcher, they might have
| rendered some service but with mode of loco
| motion at their disposal but their legs, they
! doubtless decided from the outset to draw their
! salaries without wasting their breath, for they
| have never been heard Of The lesser authOri-
| ties being hopeless!y nonpIussed. the Govern
ment has taken up the matter The Minister
| of Public Works is studying the problem, or
| NJ Walckna6r, mining engineer, to draw up q
! report the subject NJ Wacknaer is a highly
distinguished mining engineer, a career that
| may may not have qualified him for his task,
/ Should he fail 10 hit effective means OF
| tanning the chauffeur the public will have to
! take the law into its own hands and follow the
example of NJ. Hughes lie ROux. a fiery colonial
! journalist, who. having once been nearly run
over by an automobile. goes about with n
| revolver ready to fire at the first motor car
driver whom he sees careering around to the
/ Dublic danger.