The Washington times., 1902-09-11
Proposed Encampment
Attraction Meets With
Opposition
MAY RACE ON A LOCAL TRACK
Major Sylvester Believes There Is Dan
ger in Bringing Speedy Machines
Here for Racing in Crowds-Commis-
sioners Approve the Report.

Several days ago the District Com
nissioners received letter from MIR
Barry Bulkley, secretary of the citizens
executive committee of the Grand Army
of the Republic encampment, relative to
the proposed automobile race in connec-
tion with that event. Mr.. Bulkley re-
Quested the Commissioners TO let his
matter, and especially what the attitude
of the municipal authorities would DC
In respect to the race.
The matter was laid before Major
Richard Sylvester, Superintendent of Po-
lice. VINO has submitted the following
report on the subject:
Regarding the request of the citizens
committee for an automobile parade and
race, il occurs to me that the parade
would be very pleasant feature OF the
Grand Army encampment exercises, and
can raise no objection to the automo-
bile race, provided it is held at such
place as will secure the public against
accident.
.'If it is contemplated to bring racing
machines to the city from other cities.
automobile race on our streets, / think
a great risk would be run. II may he
argued that expert drivers have full con-
troll over their machines, but there are
times when the machines get control
over the drivers. as you well know, and
should one of fhese machines, coming
at locomotive speed down one of our
thoroughfares. become unmanageable.
dash on to the pavement. and into a
residence. wounding or manning several
people. it would be sad commentary
on our regulations.
Street to Be Wired.
'.1n talking with one of the members
of the committee l suggested tnat they
might have a parade, and if they rope
Sixteenth Street, and this means wire
roping. which the department does not
possess, a race might be had from the
neighborhood OF Florida Avenue toward
Scott Circle made this suggestion
that the affair should be limited.
s'It does not occur TO me that ii
would be wise to permit race wherein
fast running machines should partici-
pate. This would be a dangerous eX-
pertinent, but if it is proposed to have
q single race down Sixteenth Street for
a short distance by our local automo-
biles. while i am not personally ia
vorable to it. such precaution might be
taken as would prevent accident, SO
far as the regulations of the police are
concerned.
las to the control of motor vehicles. |
we know that up TO the present time |
no unquestioned means has been adopt /
ed whereby that has been accomplished, |
and should race be permitted under |
any circumstances il would be attend |
ed, no doubt, with all the dangers that
are incident and belong to the conduct
of such machinery.
Limit to Local Machines.
81 would not under any circumstances
consent to the use of Fifteenth Street,
or any other narrow street, for such
purposes. and i think that if such race
is to be had, if it is limited to one or
two local machines, on Sixteenth Street,
the minimum risk will be run, but if
1t is to be participated in by fast run
ming machines from without the city
would suggest that Van Ness Park,
Benning racetraek, Brightwood Driving
Park, or the Monument Grounds be Sc
lected"
The Commissioners had a conference
with Mr.. Bulkley yesterday afternoon
with reference TO the matter. The let
ter of Major Sylvester was read to him
and some considerable discussion of the
matter was had. The Commissioners
him that they would approve
Major Sylvester's report. and would
convey a copy of the same to him TO be
placed before the committee.
Mr.. Bulkley stated that he appreciated
the position in which the authorities
were placed, and stated TO the Com
missioners that he would lay. their
views before his committee, when he
thought. il would be decided to aban-
don the race or take it to one of the
driving