Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-06
READY FOR 4 CONTEST
Automobile Owners Throw
Down Gauntlet.
OBJECT TO NUMBERS
WILL FIGHT ENACTMENT OF FUR
THEIR ,RESTRICTIoNs.
Secretary Sunderland Of National Capt.
tai Club Has Spirited Talk
With Commissioner West.

rotary of the National Capital Automobile
Club called upon Commissioner West at
the District building this morning and pro-
tested in the name OF the automobiles
against the enactment of any additional
regulations on the subject Of the operation
of automobiles in this city.
Mr.. Sunderland declared the Automobiles
did not intend to allow themselves to be
tagged Hike criminals and would submit
to no regulation which required the placing
Of numbers on their machines. He threw
down the gauntlet to the Commissioners.
He declared the club had taken the matter
to Congress once before and defeated pro-
posed laws. and would do SO again If the
Commissioners persisted in their purpose Of
further restricting the rights Of the owners
Of this class OF vehicles.
Interview Was Spirited.
The interview between Mr.. Sunderland
and Commissioner West was very spirit
ed and interesting one. Mr. Sunderland an
nounced at the outset that the AUTOMOBILE
lists feel the present laws are sufficient.
The only regulation now in effect Is with
regard to the speed of all classes of vehi-
cles.
IF the speed regulations are enforced
said Mr.. Sunderland there Is no need to
do more. The speed regulations will ac-
compdish all the safety that should be de-
sired"
Mr.. Sunderland said that he wished to
strenuously protest against any proposed
scheme of numbering the automobiles. The
owners OF automobiles were influential, he
asserted. and would not allow themselves
or their vehicles to be tagged In the man.
ner stated above He asked what the Com
missioners expected to gain by such a pro-
ceeGng.
"Much to Be Gained" Said West.
There Is much to be gained" replied
Commissioner West. "In the case of an
accident the machine bringing about the
trouble could be easily identified by the
number The person driving the vehicle
might not think the accident Of sufficient
consequence to stop to inquire after the
condition of the victim to the extent
of the injuries to the other vehicle with
which he might have been In collision.
Some one neari at hand would notice the
number of his machine, and he would thus
be brought to account"
Mr.. West added that 1t was the practice
OF many careless automobiles to drive
their machines across car tracks and at
important functions. such as 18th street
and New York Avenue. and 9th and F
streets. at a speed greater than the law al
lows. The railroad crossing policeman has
no means at present of stopping this We
hcle unless he plants himself in their way
and risks his Hfe.l
II they were numbered however it would
be an easy thing to, trace the owner and
notify him to be more careful in the future
In case of fragrant violation he could
be identified for the purpose of serving
warrant upon him.
Means Of Identification.
The purpose 6f the Commissioners, Mr..
West explained. is to secure some means
of identifying the machines and their own
ers When the Commissioner had con-
cluded his argument of the case Mr.. Sun
derland suggested that II might be wise
to be able to identify the machine, al
though he thought the name plate on each
vehicle was sufficient -
Mr.: West said the name plates were so
small 1t would require spy glass to read
them. Mr.. Sunderland further protested
that 1t was evident the Commissioners
were going to insist upon discriminating
against one class OF people
Mr.. West denied that this was So He
called attention to the fact that every
milk wagon in the city is required to have
the number of its permit painted in large
letters upon It, while plumbers are required
to placed over their doors the words Reg
istered plumber in letters not less than
three inches In height.
Such precautions were taken in all cases
where the public health or safety is con-
cerned. He considered the reckless run
ming OF automobiles a menace to the life
and limbs of the people
Objected to Numbering.
Mr.. Sunderland suggested that there
might be some device on each machine by
which it could be identified. Commissioner
West stated that the Commissioners only
desired some ready means of identifying
automobiles. If system of devices could
be worked out and registered so as to
prevent duplication and so painted on the
back Of the machine as to be readily rec
ognized the authorities. he felt, would be
satisfied
Mr.. Sunderland thought the AUTOMOBILE
lists would agree to this. AS for number
ing. however. he declared he would never
number his machine, and he knew of hum
dred of others who would not They would
take the matter to the Supreme Court of
the United States before complying with
any such measure
During the course of the interview Mr.
Sunderland questioned the authority of the
Commissioners to make any regulation re-
stricting the operation of automobiles Mr.
West cited an opinion just rendered by
the corporation counsel, in which he holds
that the Commissioners have such au-
thority.
Considering Regulations.
Mr. West has under consideration as
Commissioner In charge of the police de-
partment a draft of proposed regulations
prepared by the board Of steam examiners
of the District He also has the regula-
lions now in force in other large cities of
this country.
Attention was called to the fact that in
all these cities the Speed regulations are
very stringent and a means of identif1ca-
ton is provided. Licenses are required in
most instances of every operator of an
automobile In Chicago auto operators
are required to. wear conspicuously upoa
their coats a badges such as is worn here
by the public hackmen. This badge must
be so arranged as, not to be hidden eithnc
by accident or lAAsfgn,-
ll is probable that the Commissioners
will soon promulgate series of regula-
tions on the subject of automobile opera
ton in the District. and that a license or
permit will be required of every person OBJ
Grating such a vehicle. Some system of
identifying the various machines will also
be insisted upoa Iewill be provided that
of the regulati92ss awo lamps win be re-
fasten the starfipg lever when the auto is
not in operation
Corporation Counsel's Opinion,
In passing upon the draft of the ragula-
tions prepared by the board of steam en-
gineers Mr.. A. sB.sDuvaH. the corporation
counsel. says: -.
There can be little or no question as to