The San Francisco call., 1905-03-05
Measure Regulating Speed
Of Vehicles Propelled by
Other Than Muscular Pow
er an Aid to Railroads
is NOW IN HANDS
OF THE GOVERNOR
Proposed Law Would Give
Transportation Companies
Rights Beyond Control of
Boards of Supervisors
spes.sI ps.p..eh to n. en-

SACRAMENTO, March l,-In the
hands OF Governor Pardee for his
Signature is a railroad bill that ts
crowded with bugs bigger than the
clnOsaur OF ante-Adzrn DAYS. This
biz went through both houses OF the
legislature, finally passing the As
sembly last night, without the slight
est suspicion being aroused as to its
import Il was only after il was safe
beyond recall and the happy smiles
q rs proponents led to a closer study
q It's broad principles that the truth
oawned upon the microscopists Of the
lower house and they found that for
once they had been outdone.
The bin IN question is designated
An act 20 regulate the operation of
motor vehicles on public highways"
end carries an appropriation OF $7o,-
coo 70 provide the machinery for its
enforcement 1t is certain that when
the truth Of Il all dawns upon the
Boards Of Supervisors Of the big Cal-
tfornia cities and the street railway
employees comprehend the measures
significance they VIII start for the ex-
eCuuve's Office on bug" killing raid
that VIII rival the 5ackrabbit drives
CA EeEQC pioneer days
In the first paragraph Of the bin II
exposes It's purpose. that is, If closely
studied. This says: The words and
phrases used IN this act shall, for the
purposes Of this act, be construed as
follows: Motor vehicle shall include
al vehicles propelled by any power
other than muscular power" There
can be no question but that in this
definition street cars, propelled by
their own or other power, and even
Locomotives, are included. The hand
car and the WheelbarroW are alone too
poor 70 find reverence in the measure.
Going q little further the bills says:
Chauffeur shall mean any person op-
Grating e motor vehicle as mechanic,
euploye or for hire" Plainly this
definition includes not only gripmen,
rnOtormen and conductors, but the
mechanics that clean and repair the
cars. electricians, oilers or any one
whose employment is directly or In
directly connected with the operation
Of the street railways. If not the trunk
systems OF the State.
Now here come the purposes Of the
measure: In the first place, the bill
intends 10 take from the Boards Of Su-
pervisors Of incorporated cities the
right 20 exercise its police powers and
regulate the speed OF cars operating
within their limits and TO overcome
al the efforts OF unions 70 nlonopolize
the business OF railroading.
Il is plain that one provision in the
law makes the minimum rate OF speed
and owners Of motor" vehicles are re-
cJired TO operate the same ten miles
an hour. This rate OF speed may be
maintained in the most densely popu-
lated sections OF cities and else
where" wherein the vehicles may be
operated al q speed OF "one mile IN
four minutes. or fifteen miles an
hour. II this bill becomes a law the
street railway companies Of San Fran
cisco may snap their fingers at the or
6lnances OF that city compelling q
much lower rate OF speed
The fact is admitted that the growth
CT san Francisco has resulted IN great
congestion Of traffic during the morn
.rg. noon and evening hours. There
were only TWO things for the company
10 Go. obtain the right 70 operate it's
cars II greater speed and have the
law with il IN the damage suits that
would surely follow or buy new cars
and employ more men at added ex-
pense that would amount to thousands
cf dollars month. From a business
standpoint for the company the first
scheme was the better and here 1t is
In this bill.
Not only does this bill prohibit
Boards Of Supervisors from interfer-
Ing with the speed limit, but II con-
uains another Joker" It compels
municipalities. at their own expense,
70 plaster the streets with signboards
telling. under the speed limits fixed by
the bill, what speed must be main
tasned over the particular section Of
the road covered by each sign.
In the bill any man. without exarni-