The Washington times., 1903-04-08
AUTOMOBILE OWNERS
FAVOR RESTRAINT
Many Communications TO
Commissioner West.
STUDYING NEW JERSEY LAW
Statute Requires Taking Out Of Ii
cense and Numbering Vehicles as a
Means Of Identification.

E n Sunderland's savage attack upon
the principle OF restraining the opera
ton OF automobiles in crowded streets
has had the effect OF arousing public
sentiment in favor of the movement. Yes
terday and again today Commissioner
West had numerous callers TO talk
with him on the subject. Many OF them
are owners OF automobiles. and TO
man they are IN favor not only OF speed
regulations. but of placing numbers on
the vehicles 10 aid IN their Identification
Speed Limit Favored.
In addition 10 the callers, the mail of
the Commissioner has brought several
communications. some advocating wise
regulations. and some warning against
rules that might be found drastic and
unnecessary. One correspondent express
ed the belief that only a minority OF
operators were Inclined to go beyond the
speed limit set by law. He thought sen
sible restrictions should be promulgated
and enforced. but be asked the Commits
sioner TO get the views OF experienced
automobilists before framing the regu-
lat.ons-
Commissioner West has been studying
carefully The automobile law now in
force IN New Jersey. and thinks it con-
tains the groundwork Of what the Dis
tr.cJ law should embody.
The New Jersey Law.
Briefly stated this law sets the speed
limit at one mile IN six minutes. II re-
Quires all operators OF mechanical We
hicles 10 take out . license costing 81
The name of the owner of The machine.
q description OF the same, its horse pow
er. and other details are recorded with
the number Of the license. The owner is
given q number corresponding TO that Of
his license, which must be attached to
the back OF the machine. where il is al
ways visible. For the purpose of iden-
tification At night 1t Is prescribed that
the lanterns shall display the number.
other provisions relate to the opera
tion OF automobiles in the presence OF
spirited horses and upon crowded
streets
Mr. West has been informed that the
New Jersey law is regarded as satisfae-
tory by automobilists It's main features
have been adopted in an ordinance re
Gently passed in Philadelphia In that
city mechanical vehicles are required 10
be numbered for identification, and last
week about 800 Automobiles took out
the required licenses.
Careful Investigation.
Commissioner West has reached the
conclusion that the District regulations
regarding automobiles need revision and
amendment. He is giving much time 10
consideration Of the subject before
taking up the matter with his colleagues
with a view TO definite action. MI.
West is determined that proper restraint
shall be put upon the reckless opera
ton OF automobiles. and some means
shall be adopted for the Identification
OF the vehicles so that guilty drivers
may be punished The licensing OF the
owner and the numbering OF the machine
appear % him 10 be the best methods
yet suggested.
Among the letters received by the
Commissioners IS one from former Sen
ator william Z. Chandler who urges
them 10 adopt more stringent rules
governing omobiles and saying that
each vehicle should be marked by num-
Der or otherwise SO il can be easily
identified
Another correspondent, A. E. Merritt.
has sent to the Commissioners q resume
OF the laws on the subject IN Connect
cut. which agree IN their main features
with the New Jersey. regulations.
At the suggestion OF Commissioner
West hA BOARD today znuoiTg+aa n b
lie hearing for Tuesday. April Il. at
II clock, when an opportunity viii be
given for all interested 10 give their
views 10 The Board