The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-22
The AUTOMOBILE

Some of the automobilists complain that
The newspapers make too much OF the &C
:idents which happen through the fright
ening of horses by the horseless wagons,
and that for the sake of sensation they
exaggerate the facts.
The newspapers probably might plead
with equal force that not half the acci-
dents that occur get into the newspapers.
But the main question is not one Of
whether all the accidents are reported
or not or whether the reports are some
times over stated-the main fact is how
is the automobile to be introduced on the
streets and boulevards and country roads
with the least possible danger to drivers
of horses which have not yet become
accustomed to the newest style OF vehicle
and the noise which some of them make
The automobile has come to stay 1t is
a practical and useful contrivance. the
operation of which nobody has any desire
to restrict beyond reasonable limits. 1t is
evident enough, however. that the auto
mobile must-and may, with care-be
operated with due regard for the rights
of others. The problem is how to make
reasonable rules and secure compliance
with them so that the development of
hostility to the automobile by victims of
reckless, staggering drivers may not
lead to unreasonable and almost pro-
hibitive municipal and state regulations.
The matter is largely in the hands Of
automobilists themselves.
Most Of them are very careful of the
rights of others, appreciative Of the re-
sponsibility which they incur in driving
machines of this character through the
streets and on the country roads, and
take great pains to avoid accidents or
giving annoyance to drivers of horses. :
But their efforts thus far are confined
to regulating their own machines. 1t
would seem that by organization they
might establish such conditions of mem
bership in the organization that would
influence the conduct of all chauffeurs and
eliminate all cause for prejudice or ami
mostly on the part~of the public. Mem
bership in such 81 organization might
be conditioned upon observance OF such
rules and regulations as to speed and
other details Of driving automobiles as
would remove all occasion for apprehen.
sion with regard to them and forestal
the enactment of any unreasonable regu.
lations by state or local authorities.
One regulation which has operated else
where with good results is to require
that each automobile carry on the rea
a plate Of several inches ID diamete,
tearing the number plainly inscribed. Thi
makes the Identification of the offendin,
chauffeur so comparatively easy that b
is likely to bear in mind the possibilit,
Of having his number taken and reporte,
on account of improper conduct in tn
handling of the machine. 1t is a grea
aid to the police in controlling the spec,
of these machines. -'....
The automobile is too serviceable an
calculated to become too general in it
use. to be made the subject of ridiculou
and unnecessarily stringent police regu
lation. But if it is to escape liability t
such embarrassing restrictions it viii
have to be handled with strict regard TO
the fact that it Is as yet worse than a
annoyance, and real source of danger
when carelessly driven on the street
and highways. o.