Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-14

strunents used by the bicycle policemen,
and said that conviction might be made
through mistake or misunderstanding.
Mr.. Sunderland in conclusion declared there
have been very few accidents in the District
wherein automobiles were concerned. Most
of these were to people in the auto cars.
Commissioner Macfarland said the Com
missioners proposed no new regulations as
to speed or rights in the road. Their prin-
cipal object in framing the proposed regu-
latfons was to secure the Identification of
those Automobiles who break the law.
Mr.. Sunderland objected to the numbering
of the vehicles. He said an officer would see
vehicle going along at what he consider
ed an unlawful speed, would take down the
number and swear out warrant.
How" he asked. lis the officer to sub
stantiate his statement as to the unlawful
speed?'
Mr.. mcfarland answered that the ques-
ton OF speed would be one for the Police
Court to determine. The Commissioners
were DESTROYS of identifying the vehicles
and their operators.
In response to questions by the Commits
sioners Mr.. Sunderland said there were be-
tween 200 and 800 members Of the Automo-
bile Club in this city. All of these did not
object to numbering their machines. There
had been no recent meeting OF the club, and
views. Mr.. Sunderland said he thought
the speed limits here were plenty high
enough. He admitted that some operators
do run their machines over the limit, and
added that they were the people the Com
missoners, and the automobilists as we'll,
would like to see punished. Mr.. Macfar-
land said that was just the point-the
means of Identifying such lawbreakers.
DR.. Hasbrouck Speaks.
DR.. H. M. Hasbrouck spoke next, saying
the Commissioners were wise in many Of
their proposed regulations, but he desired
to object to two or three things about the
restrictions intended to be placed on auto
mibilists. DR.. Hasbrouck objected princi-
pally to the proposed numbering Of autos
He also objected to being required to show
his license to every inQuisitive policeman
who might demand it.
II might be stopped twenty times day."
he declared.
Commissioner West asked DR.. Hasbrouck
If he really believed that such thing
would occur. Mr.. West said the question
of license would come up only in cases
where some suspicion might have been
aroused in the officers mind. Milk deal
ers. peddlers and others are permitted to
conduct business without molestation, as
they are supposed to have license. That
much is taken for granted.
DIR. Hasbrouck admitted he had met many
sensible policemen. He vowed however,
he would not stop for any policeman If he
were responding to an emergency call, and
it was question of life or death with the
patient.
II would see him further first" the doc
tor declared.
Major Sylvester, who was present
throughout the hearing, arose to state that
If the regulations were adopted all police
men would be supplied with a list of
licensed vehicles and their owners and
could readily tell at a glance whether or
not the machine and its owner were author
lied to use the streets.
Objected to Numbering.
DR.. Hasbrouck said he objected, as the
owner of private property, to having that
property numbered.
Our automobiles" he said, "are costly,
choice affairs. How many of our citizens
would consent to having their 5000
barouches or other types of carriages num-
bered? There are more runawayS of horses
In week and more accidents caused there
by than automobiles bring about in
months
The doctor admitted the proportion OF
horses and carriages was far greater than
automobiles He also admitted that fewer
horse vehicles Travelled the speed of twelve
miles an hour than automobiles. He also
said he was in favor Of speed restrictions.
Mr.. mcfarland asked him how the police
were to identify the breakers of the speed
law.
Now you've got me-" responded the doc
tor. Il have not given the matter much
concern. I do object to numbering, dis
figuring our vehicles. When I was christ
ened the clergyman gave me a name.
object to being numbered like a convict at
this time of my nfe.
DR.. Hasbrouck also objected to numbers
on side lamps. He would not object to
numbers on the head light. Mr.. Macfar-
land said this would not suffice. A rapidly
moving vehicle would pass before the
policeman had time to note the number on
the headlight, while the darkness would
prevent his reading the number painted on
the rear of the machine. The Commits
sioner asked how could Identification be
had under those circumstances. DR.. Has
brouck said he would like for Dr. French
to answer that question.
DR.. w. B. French then arose and said:
Let the policeman get on q trolley car
and overtake the automobile"
Ths answer ELECTED much applause from
the automobilists present. Mr.. Macfarland
said
Asked for Serious Answers.
1.-THE Commissioners would like to have
serious answers to serious questions I
would like for DR.. Hasbrouck to respond
to the question"
Dr. Hasbrouck said he did not know how
the matter could be arranged.
c. Francis Jenkins declared he thought
the present means of chasing and identi-
fcient. He objected to taking out a num-
Der just as owners of dogs do for their
animals. He did not object to placing in
itials on his machine
i
to number automobiles and thus put a
stripe around one leg of the auto owner.
branding him as a quasi criminal before
the public.
The Rev J. A. Aspinwall spoke from a
more conservative view. He said he had
owned automobiles for the past four wears.
He did not feel that to number his ma
chine would stamp him as a criminal or
class him with law-breakers. He would be
willing to do SO If the Commissioners de-
sired Or he would just soon place his
initials on the vehicle
Mr.. AspinWall suggested that the night
reading Of numbers might be provided for
by fixing a small lamp at the rear of the
vehicle which would throw a light on the
number or initials as the case might be.
He thought too many lights, front. back
and side, would be confusing
Mr.. R. B. Caverly requested that the
present speed laws should not be disturbed.
He also urged that the clause providing
for the revocation Of licenses be stricken
out.
Jumped on to the Press.
M ]. Foss, manager of a local automo-
bile house, declared that the newspapers
give but small accounts to accidents
caused by runaway horses. whereas they
would spread the news over a column and
comment editorially upon it if the automo-