Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-07
A Word for the Motors.
% the Editor Of The Evening Star:

To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
When the first steam cars came out great
opposition was encountered, and each train
was proceeded by a flagman on horseback
to warn people out of danger. We laugh
at the recollection of this requirement as
we speed along in luxurious modern train
Yet just as foolish regulations are being
enacted relative to modern things. 1t is
a natural law that all human progress is
opposed, even by sane and reasoning people.
Our beautiful asphalt streets were bitterly
opposed; the trolley cars were attacked; the
bicycle was handicapped by the most ridic-
ulous set of regulations ever passed by our
Commissioners The cyclist must not ride
too fast; he must ride only on certain parts
of streets; he must carry a bell; he must
carry light: he must not have his handle
bars too low, nor his saddle too high, and
even his position on the wheel is the SUBJ
ject of police regulation.
Now the automobile is coming in for its
share Of batting, and though it's unreason-
able and uncalled for. it is not unnatural,
and is to be expected-because it's new, not
because it's a public menace. In the four
years it has been on the streets of Wash
ington not single death has been attribu-
table to it's use This can't be said of any
other class Of vehicles using the streets in
as many months.
Automobiles are handled with the greatest
facility; they glide in and out among teams,
anything. They are under the most abso-
lutte control, both as to course and speed
The horse becomes unmanageable and runs
away, causing death and destruction OF
property. The automobile never runs away
To be sure, pedestrians haven't got used to
them yet, and howl, mentally if not orally,
not because they're hit, but because they're
startled. They did the same when the cy-
cleS came into use. but no one cares for
them now. So it will be In a little while
with regard to acknowledgements will be-
come accustomed to their appearance in
the street and will accord them mea sure
of their just deserts. The American people
rapidly develop the spirit of fair play to-
ward any new thing, and the automobile
will prove no exception,
Automobiles are Clearly; they leave the
streets as clean as they find them the
pavement is never in need of repair because
Of them: they take up but half the space in
the streets that horses and vehicles do, and
because they go from place to place In half
the time they occupy the street but half as
long. Their use should be ENCOURAGED in
stead of discouraged. No single thing OF
equal moment will add so much to Wash
ington's beautiful streets as the use of au-
tomobiles.
There's regulation enough surely. No au-
tomObile is driven through the streets faster
than a cycle policeman can ride At least
no policeman has so reported. THEY'VE
killed nobody, done no harm to persons or
property why tag them criminals? Are
some driven too fast? So are horse vehicles.
street cars, BICYCLES Automobiles are gov
erned by the same regulation. If its en-
forcement is sufficient for other classes
mentioned. why not for automobiles? Au-
tomobile owners don't ask special fayors
but simply fair Iand equal treatment with
other users of the street.
&c. FRANCIS JENKINS