The Washington times., 1901-08-11
TO EXEMPT AMBULANCBS.
Popular Opinion Opposed to Re-
stricting Their Speed.
Or brands of Mercy They Should
share the Privileges of Police Pa
trolls and Fire Apparntus-Ame
ment of Regulations Probable.

The publication of the action of the Dis
trict Commissioners in endeavoring to
limit the speed at which the Emergency
Hospital ambulance may traverse the
streets has called forth against the edict
a storm of Indignation.
Surprise has been expressed throughout
the city that the Commissioners should
have lent themselves to the forwarding of
the petty jealousies of some of the OPP
posing institutions from which it is be-
heved that the complaints emanate. The
friends OF the Emergency Hospital ex-
press the opinion that the cause of the
anonymous communication may be found
in the connection of the writer with some
opposing institution whose officers are en-
vious of the wonderful record that had
been made by the Emergency in the saw
ing of life through their prompt and eff
cient service. There is hardly a day
passes but that some life is saved by the
prompt response of the ever vigilant
physicians of the Emergency. and il is not
believed that the Commissioners will feel
inclined 10 take the responsibility for the
death Of injured citizens through delay in
receiving medical attention IL the recent
order is enforced.
Where fire engines and police patrol
speeding their horses. ii is said that TWEEN
ty lives are saved by the promptness OF
the ambulance service; and If one vehicle
is TO be limited in speed 1t is held that
there is no logical reason why the others
should not be.
In regard to Commissioner Macfarland
who received the communication and for
warded 1t to the Chief of Police for ac-
ton, il is believed that his action was but
perfunctory and that he did not realize
the serious results that would ensue from
the action which he was taking. With an
order from his superior there was nothing
for Major Sylvester to do but to comply
with his instructions. and he did so in
letter directed to Lieutenant Amiss, of
the First precinct. in which he called at
tention to the regulations and instructed
that officer to see that they were en-
forced. The bicycle policeman who was
detailed to follow up the case and arrest
those in charge of the ambulance should
they exceed the speed of twelve miles an
hour could lily conceal the distasteful ma
ture of his business in so informing the
hospital authorities, although he of course
made no comment the action of his
superior
The law on which the action is based is
the amendment TO section Is of Article X
approved December IS, 1899, which pro-
ci1es:
No bicycle CT other horseless vehicle
shall be propelled across any intersecting
streets on which there are car tracks in
theacity of Washington at a greater rate
OF speed than six miles an hour. nor at
greater rate of speed between inter
seeing streets and avenues or cross
streets on which there are no car lines
than twelve miles an hour. nor at a
greater rate OF speed On any public street
or roadway outside of said city than hf-
teen miles an hour. Every bicycle in mo-
ticn on a public highway shall at all
times be under the control of the rider.
Inasmucli as safety in passing with rap