The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-24

The Board today passed upon the bill
drafted by Commissioner Ross relative TO
weight, speed, and size of cars to be used
hereafter upon the street railways of the
District. This matter has been under con-
sideration by the Commissioners ever
since the public conference upon the
subject a week ago. Mr.. Ross was re-
Quested by his colleagues to draft the bill
which was submitted to them for their
consideration today. Only a few amend
ments were suggested by the Board. ard
when these are incorporated the bill viii
be sent 10 the District Committees CT
both houses of Congress with the re-
quest that it be enacted.
The main feature of the bill is that no
cars shall be run upon the street rail-
ways Of the city weighing more than nine
tons after the law goes into effect. ex-
cept that under certain conditions su5ur-
ban cars of weight greater than nine tons
shall be allowed 10 run into the city I'm
der special permits. which will regulate
the speed If the terms of the permit are
violated then it will be revoked. and the
proposed law leaves the control Of the
matter II IlE naI4S OF IIlE COllUl45S4UAtI6 b.
Besides limiting the weight of the cars
it is stipulated in the bill that a speed Of
more than twelve miles an hour shall not
be allowed. In connection with this re-
quirement the bill provides that for viola
tions of the speed rule the president vice
president. and other officers Of the COM
paRy shall be held liable. This penalty
clause viii a. once remove the response
bility Of the fast running Of cars from the
n he pfSpia1 heads nT no pny11-
pany, who are capable. it is supposed, Of
controlling the speed Of II cir cars. II the
new law goes into effect. and a car is run
Gt the speed Of tr-aty-lige miles an hour
as has been tie case it viii be no longer
the lnotoTman urged % take chances by
the iron-clad orders of his superiors to
break the rules. but ii Will be the respon-
sIbIe heads OF the corporation who viii go
10 the Police Court TO answer the charges
Of running cars at unlawful speed.
Another important feature Of the bill
includes the operation Of all auto
vehicles. Their speed is TO be limited also
to twelve miles an hour within the city
limits In explaining this feature of the
bill TO a Times reporter today Mr Ross
said that Il was suggested by the Super
iDtendent Of Police. He said that the
rapid increase in the number Of vehicles
Of this kind in use. with all kinds Of no
tive power. had made them something OF
d menace TO the public upon the streets.
They come up noiselessly and at great
speed and it is sometimes necessary for
the pedestrian to be very nimbie of foot
TO escape being run down BY the autOmo-
biles- As matters stand. Mr. Ross said,
il is impossible 10 identify either the
owner or the vehicle. II a bicycle police
man could catch one il would be neces-
sary TO arrest the operator and take him
of to the station-house, leaving the We
hicle in the street
For these reasons. Mr.. Ross said, the
bill proposes that all mechanical vehicles
shall be registered in the Office Of the As
and that a number shall be placed
conspicuGusly upon the vehicle so that
ii can be Identified by policeman and 9th
er5 This number similar 10 that required
upon other road vehicles shall be OBJ
tanned and displayed in a similar man
ner. Mr Ross stated that he thought
such a regulation sufficient to regulate
the speed OF automobiles and 10 KEEP
their operation within proper limits
Commissioner Macfarland, who has i'm
/ mediate supervision over the Board OF
Education and the Public School system
+ today received the resignation of Presi-
dent c. J. Bell, which was rendered to the
Board OF Education last night, and i'm
mediateIy took action thereon. He moved
: lis acceptance WHICH was dUlImGu Dy Jne
BoaId Of Commissioners Mr.. Macfar-
land then moved the appointment of Gen
/ eral Henry V. BOynton TO the vacant po-
( sitioa- which was also affirmed. In speak
I ing about the matter today Commissioner
Macfarland said
Upon receiving the resignation OF Pres
I ident Bell Of the Board of Education. this
/ morning knowing that his private affairs
/ would nCt permit him 10 remain longer n
/ the board. I moved its acceptance and the
! appointment OF Gen Henry V. Boynton as
/ his successor. and the Board of Commis-
! sioners have approved these recommenda-
! Jions. We are very sorry 10 lose Mr. Bell.
! but We realize that he could not continue
the sacrifice he was making, and We are
! grateful for the good work that ne did.
! General BOynton, 1 am assured. will ac-
/ cept, and the Distinct is TO be congratulate
! ed upon securing his services. He is ex-
/ ceptionally well qualified for this particu-
| lar post. and everyb body knows that he viii
/ fill il admirably"
The Commissioners have received from