The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-04-25
1T SUITS CHUFFERS
New Law Regulating Use Of Autos
Is q Fair One Say the
Owners. ..
Motor Cyclists Find Many Things to
Criticize Object to State
I License.

# Minneapolis chauffeurs express salts
faction with most Of the provisions of the
new law regulating the use Of automo-
}biles, but the owners Of motor cycles have
a kick coming. .z
The new law fixes the speed limit for
all automobiles, motor vehicles and motor
cycles, at eight miles an hour in the
Sthickly settled or business sections of
any city or village in the state; twenty
five miles an hour elsewhere, and four
miles over crossings when any person is
upon such crossing. Drivers or operators
on any street OF highway when signalled
by drivers of horses, must stop until the
other vehicle has passed. Both. auto
mobiles and motor cycles must carry bells
or horns, and lamps after dark. Owners
of autos or motor cycles must secure
license from the state boiler inspector in
their county, the license fee being 81. The
number of each license must be painted
in a conspicuous place upon the back of
the machine, in letters at least four and a
half inches high Autos or motor cycles
which are licensed by the municipality in
which they are owned, however, will not
require state license.
"chuffers" Pretty Well Satisfied.
:, "The speed limit provided by the law is
reasonable, said L. II. Fawkes to-day.
Eight miles is fast enough on the bust
ness streets, and twenty five miles in the
country is fast enough, too. The limit of
four miles over crossings when any one
is on the crossing may be nisconstrued,
but it is a reasonable provision when en-
forced with judgment. T. .z;s.s.e f., ~
1T is reasonable to require chauffeurs
to stop when passing a team, If <signalled.
1t Will prevent accidents caused by horses
taking fright at autos. It is possible,
however, that drivers may take advan-s
tage of this section to cause trouble for
chauffeurs. If drivers only signal when
their horses are likely to take fright this
provision is all right I'll e >-z@-..s..:;
s"All automobiles should carry lamps
and horns. It is just as much a protec-
ton to the chauffeurs as to pedestrians or
drivers Of teams.
''The feature Of the law which will be
most distasteful to automobile owners
is that which requires the number of the
license to be painted upon the back of the
machine. Most chauffeurs will not want
to mar the appearance of their machines
In this way. A neat plate would serve the
same purpose, I think, and would look
much better On the whole, however,
the law is fair and reasonable. No statute
could be framed that would satisfy every
one"
! Should Not Be classed Together.
II do not see why our legislators persist
in classing the light, narrow motorcycle
with the broad, heavy autocar," said H. s..
Haynes. mo law can be satisfactory
which makes the same regulations apply
to both classes of vehicles. Why should
| motorcycles pay state license? I do not
see a necessity for requiring a motorcycle
rider to post a big number on the back of
his wheel. ! have talked this provision
over with motorcyclists, however, and I'M
! til the courts rule otherwise, we shall hold
that the cycle path license tag issued by
the city exempts us from this provision,
as it is stated that the state license is not
required where the vehicle is licensed by
| the municipality. 9 4 ~ - I'M ss
! 1.-The speed limit is a. reasonable one.
Most 1notorcyclists will not object to any
provision which is deemed necessary for
| the safety Of pedestrians. Bells OF horns
should 8be= carried, of course, # and lamps
also after dark. If the section requiring
| lamps is enforced to the letter, however,
| it may work hardship. Many motorcy-
! clists will start into the country for a trip,
expecting to return before dark, and if
| they are delayed. they may be caught and
fined for not, carrying a light before they
can get home to attach a lamp.
THE provision requiring the use of muf-
| flers is all right. A motorcycle with a
muffler makes hardly any noise, and the
noise of the machine is what most persons
object to-. Wheelmen would never have
| tried to keep Sthe motors off the cycle
paths If some riders hadn't taken off theil
muffers and frightened nervous riders
The provision requiring riders to stop
upon signal when passing a team is likely
| to be abused. There is prejudice
against motorcycles in many quarters
drivers may signal riders or chaffeurs u1-
! necessarily and cause them great annoy
ance. If drivers are reasonable there will
be no trouble, but I do not think such a
regulation is necessary for motorcycles.