Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-19
AUTO BOARD NAMED
CoMMISSIoNERW WEST ANNOUNCES
THE EXAMINERS,
Five District Officials and One Automo-
bilist Incmded-E. F. Vermil-
hon NadG Chairman.

Commissioners West yesterday recon-
mended to his colleagues on the board OF
District Commissioners. as stated in The
Star. the personnel sof the board to be ap-
pointed in pursuanca of the new automobile
regulations.
In pursuance" he says, "of article "a OF
the police regulations. recommend that
E. F. Vermillion. Henry Boesch and Daniel
johnson. now composing the board of ex-
aminers of steam engineers; Walter c. Al
len, electrical engineer, D. c.; w. A. Nc
Farland superintendent of the water de-
rartment and Charles E. Foster, vice presi-
dent Of the National Capital Automobile
Club. be appointed board to consider ap-
plications from persons who desire permits
to operate motor vehicles of any kind, ex-
cept railroad locomotives and electric cars
in the District of Columbia; that Mr.. Yer
million be designated as the temporary
chairman of said board for the purpose OF
hiking the time and place for the first meet
ing OF the board. when its organization
shall be effected: and that said board shall
after due examination make report to the
Commissioners of the District of Columbia
as to the competency or incompetency OF
each applicant.
II also recommend that H. NJ. Woodward
permit clerk of the District of Columbia, be
designated to issue the permits when APP
piications have received the approval of the
missioners."
Mr.. West selected Mr.. E.. F. Vermillion,
Mr.. Henry Boesch and Mr.. Daniel johnson,
the three members Of the board of exam
liners OF steam engineers, as. under exist
ing law. this board must license all per-
sons desiring to operate steam engines of
any description in the District. Mr.. Vermil-
lion is the boiler inspector of the District
and by law is the chairman Of the board OF
examiners of steam engineers. He is also
a bonded designated
as temporary chairman of the automobile
board until a permanent organization is eff
fected.
OF the other members of the board, Mr.
Walter c. Allen is at the head of the cleo
trical department of the District; Mr. w. A.
Mcfarland is the superintendent of the
water department and most competent
an-around engineer; and Mr.. Charles E.
Foster is vice president of the National
Capital Automobile Club and a patent at
torney All of the members of the board,
with the exception of Mr.. Foster, are con-
nected with the District government and
their new duties are to be without compen-
sation. The members of the board Of ex-
aminers of steam engineers have already
examined numerous operators of locomo-
bfles and other machines run by steam, sc
that they have gained considerable expert
ence which will be of value to them in con-
nection with the practical operation OF
other machines.
Mr.. Fosters Selection.
Mr.. Fosters selection was due to Mr..
Vests desire to have some one on the
board who would represent the automobil-
lists. Mr.. Foster is q believer in proper. reg
ulations, and yet interested in seeing that
the rights of the automobilsts are protect
ed. He consented to service without COM
pensation at the personal solicitation OF
Commissioner West. and his appointment
has already been received with marked ap-
prevail by the automobilists.
Mr.. H. M. Woodward, the permit clerk of
the District. will be the official through
whom. with the approval of the Commits
sioners, all permits will be issued. The
board will be called together within a few
days to organize and to arrange the times
and place for the examination of the ap-
plicants.
In speaking of the new regulations Com
missioner West said that they had only
two objects in view.i first. the competency o.
the operator. and, second. the identified ton
of each machine. He; said that in the in
forcement of the regulations there would be
no attempt to impose hssrdships upon the
automobilistS, although at the same time,
IL was intended to fully protect the lives
and property of the individuals who use the
streets. II am gratified," he added, Fat
manifested by the autonobflists since tho
revised regulations were published and l
feel certain that there will be no friction.
shall always be ready to give any inforina-
ton upon points which may not be clear, IN
order to remove all possible causes of mis-
understanding.
The regulations become effective June Z
and all automobiles must be registered
within thirty days thereafter.