New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-11
AUTOMOBILE POLICEMEN
PARIS INNOVATION LIKELY TO BE
TRIED HERE-SOME FAVOR MO
TORCYCLE COPS"

Chauffeur gendarmes have become an established
institution in Paris. and there IS talk that the
lice officials Of this city even now considering
plans for the establishment of automobile police
men here The suggestion has already been made
10 Colonel Partridge and in some quarters yester-
day IL was said that the idea OF the Frenchmen
might be copied The dangerous speeding of fast
automobiles in the streets and suburbs of Faris be
came prevalent that the foreign police found
that innovation must be established in the de
partment TO enable the guardians of the peace 10
handle the situation satisfactorily In France the
big horsepower machines are considerably more nu-
merous than they in this country. where the
little runabouts not capable Of such speed are
more popular
When General Avery n. Andrews established the
bicycle squad in this city several years ago the
innovation laughed except by the riders OF
the wheel. The better element among the wheelmen
and the officials Of the League Of American Wheel
men championed the cause Of General Andrews
and the splendid success Of the idea is now known
TO all. The present administration has shown dis
position 10 crtai the duties Of the bicycle police
man. bur his usefulness is apparent 10 every wheel
man. driver and automobile enthusiast in the dis
triet
The idea Of establishing automobile policemen
will be opposed by those who realize that such
scheme will cost the city government heavily
Members q the Automobile Club Of America who
were asked about the scheme last night were all
unanimous that the scheme was a good one. and
that IL ought 70 be tried at least for time. The
officials n the club are DONG everything III 'i-i'
mower 70 stop reckless driving % automobiles not
only through the streets hut over the public high
wavs and they say that any move which will help
them in their crusade against automobile soorch-
irg will be supported by them 10 a man 49,,
r G Belts. candidate for the vice consul or ne
League Of American Wheelnen- said that Whii!e
AUTOMOBILE policemen would be good thing. No
thought that motorcycle policemen would be bet
ter one II would b dangerous for one big auto,
Tnobiie 10 chase another through the crowded
streets Of this city" said Mr. Belts In other
words two "a cling automobiles would furnish double
the danger 70 pedestrians. Another thlng that
urol,ld have 70 be considered Is that 10 ma ke the
scbeo r7rartcah BE expert rnotorrnen would have 10
be employed. and. while some OF the poISeIa men
could in time master the achines. u would take
time and experience 10 make them what 'heS
shOuId he for such an important ONCE
Nov with a motorcycle the plan becomes nuctl
more feasible 10 my mind. and is less coStIy ana
T1ora rraCrica bile One can learn TO hanoie motor
.-ole = an ircredibly short time and IL does not
take rp much room Its width Is praoucalIy no
more than that OF bicycle, and If the horsepowSr
is high enough IS just fast as the aIIoloo!!e
- rSerIv 81 MOTORCYCLE pa trolmen, l think, are
- Eursn+e6 in This CITY and I believe that II
Iii -or,e ~ mass with the birth Of spring