Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-20
MOB|L|STS DEFIANT
Propose to Test the New
Regulations.
AN APPEAL TO COURT
DIR. W. B. FRENCH INDUCES IN
CAUsTIC CRITICISM.
Declares That the Commissioners
Adopted Rules Aimed at Wives
AN APPEAL TO COURT
Declares That the Commissioner
Adopted Rules Aimed at Wives,
Sisters and Daughters.

A number of automobilists gathered at
the residence of DIR. w. B. French, 5o6
East Capitol street, and organized for the
purpose of resisting the automobile regu-
lations recently adopted by the Commits
sioners and becoming effective June Z. 1t
is stated that fund of 5000 was sub
scribed for the employment of lawyers to
take the matter into the courts. Resolu-
lions were adopted and speeches made de-
mandatory of the laws.
Several of those present at the meeting
last night We're among the most defiant
speakers at the hearing granted by the
Commissioners some time ago. Dr. French
at that time declared he would disregard
any policeman who endeavored to stop
him while on his way to a patient whose
case was urgent. DR.. French also declared
last night that the regulations were adopt
ed for the purpose of allowing burly po-
licemen to stop pretty girls in autos and
engage in conversation with them.
THE Commissioners have seen fit" said
he, ito draft this obnoxious regulation.
1t is aimed directly at our wives, our
sisters and our daughters. None will be
safe from insult. When this law goes
into effect policemen will be allowed, even
instructed, to stop our automobiles, de-
mand to see our license and in other ways
make themselves Objectionable.
"a policeman, seeing pretty girl in an
automobile, will be able to call upon her
to stop, and can make her stop, and en-
gage in conversation with her. This tag
ging regulation is an outrage which We
and speak for the combined automobile
users of the city-wfll not submit to. 1t
is aimed at our freedom.
1.-The next thing the Commissioners will
do will be to tag every man, woman and
child in the city, and for what? Why, in
order that work may be made easy for
he 10 fn In hQir Unrlx
and make arrests when they see violations
of the law they will now have us all
tagged. They will make US suspected
criminals and brand us.
No Objection to Speed Laws.
I'VE do not object" added DR.. French,
Ito regulations regarding the movement of
automobiles. AS to speed laws, we are salts
fled to have limit set and to abide by it,
but we do object to have our carriages dis
figured by huge signs and numbers. We
object to the Commissioners giving to po-
licemen the right to stop us at will, demand
to see our license, and subject our wives
and daughters to insult"
Another of those present last evening was
Erskine NJ. Sunderland, secretary of the
National Capital Automobile Club, who
visited Commissioner West in his office
prior to the adoption Of the regulations to
throw down the gauntlet and assure the
the automobiles would never permit such
regula tons to remain in force. Mr.. West
assured his caller in return that the Com
missioners would adopt such regulations as
they should see fit to protect the public
safety, and that the automobiles would
have plenty of opportunity to take the mat
ter to the courts if they wished to test the
laws.
At the meeting last night new organ
ization was formed, to be known the
National Capital Automobiles Associa-
ton, the officers to be elected at future
meeting. So far as is known the National
Capital Automobile Club has taken no ac-
ton in regard to the regulations. Several
of the members. of the organization spoke
at the Commissioners hearing and de-
clared their willingness to comply with any
rules promulgated by the authorities.
DR.. French presided at the meeting at his
residence, and his speech condemning the
new law was followed by others in similar
vein.. Judge Kimball of the Police Court
came in for denunciation because in reply
to an inquiry from an automobilist the
Judge had stated he would impose fine of
$3.50 for violations Of the regulation If
the Commissioners stipulated that maxi
mum sum.
Resolutions Adopted.
The resolutions adopted declared that 1t
was the sense of the automobilists assem-
bled at the meeting that all and every
just and impartial police regulation gov