Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-06
Mr.. Editor:

Please give space to the following
adopted by the City Council, to which
! desire to make protest:
See. No portion OF the streets Of
the city shall hereafter be used for the
purpose of displaying or storing car
ringes. wagons or other vehicles. goods,
merchandise, show cases. bicycle racks
or other matter, except iron powder
boxes of merchants who may obtain
permission for placing same on the
street from the Chief of the Fire De-
Dartment.
See. 1.-THE word street in this ordi-
nance shall be construed to include
sidewalks. alleys lanes or other pub
lie places of the city of Norfolk.
This is without doubt one of the
most unreasonable law ever made
No one will deny that there is need
of a law limiting the occupation of the
sidewalks by merchants, but to say
that no portion shall be used for any
thing is go absolutely absurd that
doubt not it's prompt repeal will be
made necessary by n storm of right
eous Indignation from the business
men of the city.
The Stiffness Of the law IS made cspe-
cially apparent by the barring of hi
cycle racks, which any thinking per-
son knows are the only means that
keep abandoned bicycles from being Il
nuisance, to say nothing of their con-
vcnience to riders and protection to
wheels. a bicycle in the gutter is al
ways in the way of vehicles. and in
constant danger of being smashed. 4
row of wheels against the curb form
an impossible barrier to the nedos
TRAN crossing the street. / have no.
tlced this repeatedly in front of Office
buildings. telegraph Offices. etc. From
my observation, L have no hesitancy
in saying that the bicycle rack has be-
to- 81
gent gentlemen say it must go, but
make no provision for the hundreds
of wheels on Main street alone that
are thus rendered homeless, and a
positive nuisance. Say, Messrs. Coun-
cilmcn, what are you going to do about
the wheel blockade? Oh, you hadn't
thought of that! I judged as much
Now, get together promptly and make
your law stand by barring the use OF
bicycles in the streets of the city. 1t
is the only thing to do.
! haven't time to go into the question
as it deserves. 1t is hardship on an
humble class of business citizens who
conduct their trade on the sidewalk
Ii is more than a hardship: 1T is an i'm
position-it is abominable. And then
there are the wholesalers, who must
have 4 force of men at hand to get
everything from the dray into the
house at once before an officer of the
law comes up and arrests the firm for
unlawful storing of goods on the side
walk.
And then the show case people. I
notice many handsome display cases
on Main street; they are not in the
way; are ornamental to the thorough
fare, and give an enterprising city
like appearance to the street. But,
alas, there day is past. There is moth
ing specially against them, but we
must have lots of room for the atmos-
phere to circulate; and perhaps some
time in the future. maybe 1907 or 1908.
we may have q street carnival, after
all the other towns have tried 1t and
say it is good thing, and then these
vain things might get broke. And be-
sides, they are of no use. anyway Adj
vertising is foolish, and a check should
be put on these high-mnded mer-
chants who make such a display Of
their wares.
Verify. this law is monstrosity
How could ouch a nerciless, uncom-
promising. nonscnsical decree have
been enacted? Echo answers, How"
1t is n menace to legitimate industry
and enterprise. and should be recon
sidcred and abridged. LUX.
Norfolk July 4, 1900.