The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-05-13
DEMONSTRATIONS WERE GIVEN
CITY OFFICIALS DECIDE SPEED
LIMIT WAS PLACED TOO LOW.
Automobile Club Took Large Number
of Guests to Riverside Park Yes
terday Afternoon.

The Automobile club of Wichita yes
billions at Riverside park that it was i'm
possible 10 run their machines at the
maximum speed prescribed by the city
council at a meeting a short time ago.
Four of the councilmen were present on
the trip. and all agreed that the speed
rate was too low.
The council as body claimed that the
machines were being run at such rate
as to endanger the welfare of pedes-
trians and passed an ordinance regulat-
ing the speed at six miles an hour in the
parks. a storm of protests went up at
sonce from all the automobilists of the
city, with the answer that the machines
could not be run at such low rate of
speed, due to their mechanical construc-
ton. The owners of automobiles there
fore formed themselves into an associ-
alton for mutual benefit and pleasure. and
incidentally to endeavor to perfect plans
whereby they might secure what they
deemed a more equitable speed limit
a few days ago invitations were issued
20 the business men OF the city for an
automobile ride, as the guests of the
Automobile club. The excursion was to
take place yesterday afternoon. About
noon the weather turned cold, and
threatened rain, which mao the effect
causing most of those who had Intends
to go TO stay at home. However. about
fifteen representative business men gath
cred at the City building at $50 p. m,
and automobiles enough to accommodate
them We're provide.
The party repaired to Riverside park
where exhibitions were given that thor
oughly convinced every one present that
the club was in the right in claiming that
the speed limit had been placed too low.
Scott E. Whine gave speed trials with
his fine machine. ranging from twelve
to thirty miles an hour. Other machines
also gave exhibitions from ten 10 twenty
miles an hour. The lowest rate any ma
chine acquired was seven and one-half
miles an hour. The fact was established
that an automobile could not be success
fully operated at a less rate OF speed.
But four members Of the council were
present yesterday. but they We're unani-
nous in the opinion that a new, ordi-
nance should be established placing the
limit from four to six miles per hour
higher
The following opinions were expressed
by these gentlemen after d personal in
spection yesterday:
W. VI. Paugh; II think the limit should
not be lower than ten miles hour. In
my opinion that is the least that could
be reasonably expected from machine
owners
w. F. Pierce: After an inspection Of
the construction OF the machines, there
is no doubt in ny mind but what the
speed limit has been placed too low.
think about twelve miles an hour would
be very reasonable"
Chief OF Police Burt was also pres
ent. ana conceded in the opinion that the
rate was too low He said last night:
I think the limit should be raised 20
eight miles on the streets OF the city.
and from twelve T. fifteen in the parks
and outside Of the city limits. At that
speed practically all danger Of accidents
would BE eliminated and al the same time
would give the machine operators a rea-
sonably fair range OF speed
Mrs Shields. police nlatron. was also
one OF the party during the exhibit
zion. and became imhued with the enthu-
siasm az the automobIist- She Was
greatly in favor OF having the rate
changed to at least fifteen miles an hour.
Il is probable that in a short time the
city ordinance will be changed and the
limit arranged in a way more satisfactory
to the Automobile clah and private indi-
viduals outside Of the club.