Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-29
THE Law INFORCE
HoRsELEss VEHICLES REQUIRED
TO BEAn NUMBERS.
Time Limit for Regulations to Have
Effect Expired at 12 O'Clock
Last Night.

The amalgamated association of automo-
bile dodgers, which includes In its MEM
bership almost every person in the District
who does not own or have an interest in
q or-propeled vehicle, excepting street
cars and locomotives, breathed with free
dom today, 1t is presumed. for the first
time since the smooth asphalted streets OF
the nations capital became the stamping
ground for the devil wagon. After many
months of patient waiting on the part Of
pedestrians the powers that rule in this
Jurisdiction have proclaimed official war
on the scorchers and have promulgated a
regulation which became effective today.
and which requires the automobilist to
have a license and some visible means Of
Identification.
A glance at the rear of any automobile
will disclose to the interested observer a
number: painted conspicuously in letters
mot less than three inches high and the
strokes not less than three-eighths of an
inch In width" This is the tag by means
Of which the automobile catcher will be
able to distinguish the licensed from the
unlicensed vehicles.
Text Of Regulations.
, Just what the District government re-
Quires OF the automobilist is shown in the
following regulations, adopted for their
guidance:
Sec. l. It shall be unlawful for any per-
son or persons with the exception hereinaf-
ter named, to operate any motor vehicle of
any KIND, the motive power for which shall
be electricity, steam, gas, gasoline, oil,
naphtha or other similar source of energy,
whether such vehicle be used as public
hack, truck or for hire, or for private use,
for pleasure or business, except railroad
locomotives and electric cars, until such
person has first made application in writ
ing and presented himself, or herself, for
examination before a board of examiners
to be appointed by the Commissioners of
the Dtstri0G of Columbia, who shall exam
Inc such applicant as to his or her com
potency to operate the specified vehicle
and make a report of such examination 10
the said Commissioners, who, if they are
satisfied the applicant IS qualified to op-
crate the specified vehicle, will issue a per-
init therefor. Persons licensed by the board
OF examiners of steam engineers previous to
the adoption of these regulations will not be
required to undergo another examination,
but within thirty days from such adopt on
each such person shall register his or her
name with the secretary of the board of
Commissioners in order to receive the per-
NIT number mentioned in section two of
these regulations: Provided, however,
That these regulations shall not apply to
any person learning to operate motor We
hicles, in case such learner is accompanied
by licensed operator, who shall be held
responsible for the strict observance of
Shall Bear Name and Address.
Section Each permit issued hereunder
shall be numbered, and shall contain the
name and address of the person in whose
favor 1t is issued, and shall describe def
nitely the kind of vehicle to be operated
hereunder. Each machine shall be identi-
fed by a number. which shall be conspicu-
ously displayed upon the rear of the vehicle,
so as to be plainly visible, the figures to be
separate Arabic numerals not less than three
inches HIGH and the strokes not less than
three-eighths of an inch in width. Num-
bers shall not be transferred from one We
hicle to another. nor shall machine num-
bers be loaned from one person to another,
nor shall fictitious numbers be used.
Section 3.-Each vehicle to which these
regulations refer shall be equipped with at
least two suitable lamps, to be approved by
the Commissioners of the District of Column
bia, such lamps to be carried at the front of
the vehicle, one on. each side. There shall
also be a lamp attached to the left side of
the rear Of such vehicle. SO as to throw
white light upon and thus make plainly visi-
bic the machine number, and to show red
light to the rear. The said lamps shall be
kept brightly burning from one-half hour
after sunset as long as the vehicle Is used
at night.
Section 4-Each vehicle to which these
regulations refer shall be provided with
lock suitable to lock the starting lever,
throttle or switch by which the vehicle is
set in motion, and no person shall allow
any motor vehicle operated by him, or by
her, to stand or remain unattended on any
Of the streets, avenues, roads, alleys, high
ways, parks, parkways. or other public
places. without having first locked the lever.
throttle or switch by which the vehicle may
be started.
Sec. 5-Motor vehicles moving north or
south shall have the right Of way over
motor vehicles moving east or west, but
this right of way shall not be construed
as relieving the operator Of any motor
vehicle having such right of way from
exercising due caution to prevent collision
with other vehicles or with pedestrians.
For Safety Of Pedestrians.
"Sec. 6-No person shall operate or at
tempt to operate any motor vehicle while
such person is in state of intoxication or
Is i'll other respects incapable of properly
and safely operating said motor vehicle.
Sec. mo person shall operate or at
tempt to operate any motor vehicle on any
of the streets, avenues roads, alleys, high
ways, parks, parkways or other public
places, in a careless or reckless manner
so as to endanger the life, person or prop
erty of any other users of such public
places
Sec. S-Each person shall exhibit his or
her permit to any police officer or to any
member of the above mentioned board of
examiners when demand for such exhibit