Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-20

fear AUTOMOBILES pust slow UP or stop as
The Law In France.
In France the general regulations gov
erning the use of automobiles on the pub
lie highways are set forth in presidential
decree. The decree confers upon the mu-
nicipal aufhpritiess of France the right to
issue additional regulations whenever 1t Is
considered BY them necessary to do so to
further insure personal safety in their va
rious cities especially where the streets
are narrow sand ,the traffic great. Many
such municipal regulations are In force. 1t
Is therefore necessary for an automobilist
Defore starting ION tour through France
to familiarize himself not only with the re-
quirements OF the presidential decree, but
also with the special ordinances issued by
the pfefeces and mayors. The title to the
presldentlal edict Is Decree relating to the
rules for the circulation of automobiles.
ana Is very extensive. covering all phases
OF the question from manufacture down.
Inc requirements as to the machines them
selves are very strict and are set forth in
detail. Particular attention Is given to the
sup1ect or brakes and also to the storage of
gasoline. Each automobile must carry In
characters easily distinguished the name
OF the manufacturer the type, and the Or
DER number in the series Of the type and
the name and residence of the owner. No
one IS permitted to operate an automobile
VINO Is not provided with certificate of
capacity, issued by the project OF the de-
partment In which he resides. on the recon-
mendation OF the government engineers In
some cities these certificates bear the pho
togTaph of the person to whom they are
issued.
The operator must always have the speed
OF his machine under control In no case
shaH the speed exceed eighteen miles an
n Tin IN the open country; or twelve miles
TWO violations Of the law in one year the
certfffcate of capacity may be withdrawn,
the holder having been first heard In his
oefense. Racing is allowed under certain
In the city OF Havre the local ordinances
require that the speed shall at no time
exceed six miles an hour while In turning
corners the speed must be only that OF
walking horses. No automobile can cir
cuiate IN the territory Of the city Of Havre
without being provided with a number. The
size OF the number is also prescribed.
Tho German Code.
Consul General F. H. Mason, at Berlin,
Germany, In his report says the police Of
that city have recently announced very
elaborate code Of regulations. the principal
requirements of which are the following:
All motor vehicles driven in the streets of
Berlin must be provided with an effective
and easily worked steering gear. and must
have two independent and effective brakes,
either OF which is capable Of stopping the
vehicle on asphalt pavement, from the full
permitted speed. within distance of about
twenty-six feet Every motor carriage
must be able to turn around in a street
thtrty-two feet In width. All excessive
noise, smoke, steam or odors are prohibit
ed. This regulation, If rigidly enforced,
says the consul, will probably prevent the
use Of certain types of hydro-carbon mo-
tors, which cause strong vibra ton. are
noisy and leave behind a trail Of offensive
odor from the imperfectly consumed gaso-
line.
The speed within the city limits Of Berlin
must In no case exceed nine miles an hour
and must be relatively diminished at dusk
and at all times on crowded, curving or
slippery streets. Every automobile owned
In Berlin must carry visfbly displayed q
plate bearing number, issued by the po-
lice, also the name Of the maker, owner
and the weight and horsepower of the ma
chine. Machifes owned by non-residents
Of Berlin may be used temporarily pro-
vided their drivers are able to show an
official police certificate from their place
Of residence elsewhere in Germany.
The requirements as to each driver in
volve that he must be more than eighteen
years Of age and have a certificate of
competency fromda driving school or a
public expert and provide that carelessness
or negligence in the use Of his machine
may be punished by temporary or perma-
nent suspension of his license. He is also
nelO Responsible Tor Inc fcond1tl0n. or his
automobile. Where the vehicle is owend
by a person other than the driver the
owner Is held, responsible for both auto
mobile and driver. The latter must be
registered with the machine, and in case of
a change of driver loca ton the owner
must report 1t to the. police. On of the
penalties prescribed for violation is fine
of s14.2S go marks).
The various regulations already cited hold
good, with various minor modfica tons, in
the other sections Of Europe from which
reports have been received.
Sale of American Machines.
Consul ]. F. Monaghan of Chemnitz, Sax
ony, appends to his report an interesting
paragraph concerning the sale of Ameri-
can automobiles abroad. He says:
1.-THE opportunities for the sale of Amer
lean automobiles in Germany are at the
present time limited. on account of the
very severe laws that govern the use Of
such machines. The automobile industry
Is. however, advancing rapidly. and there
appears to be very strong desire on the
part Of the manufacturers here not to have
the bicycle business Of 1S92-1S95 repeated.
It would seem wise for American manu-
facturers to send men who are especially
skilled in the automobile business. and
have them make exact study of the
laws of construction of automobiles. Should
shipments Of complete machines be made
1t will be absolutely necessary to have q
house in Berlin or Hamburg where broken
parts can be replaced. II this part Of the
business Is neglected and the repairing of
American machines is left to German me-
chanics one can easily see what the re-
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