The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-05-03
AUTO SCORCHERS
UNDER The BAN
ALDERMAN WEsTPHAL PREPAR.
ING A NEW ORDINANCE.
Regulations Meet Approval of Members
of Minneapolis Automobile Club in
Regard to Wind Shields and Snail
Pace at Crossings-Club Will Assist
in SURPRISING Reckless Driving.

Every possible restriction on reckless
automobiling that can be conjured up
will be included in the proposed ordi-
nance which Alderman G. A. Westphal
has under his hat 1t will first of all
regulate the speed, and besides estab-
fishing districts for various rates, will
reduce the maximum permissible under
the state law. The alderman is con-
WINGED that a speed Of twenty-five miles
an hour should not be tolerated any
where within the city limits, and will
miles an hour. In this he will have the
support of the Minneapolis Automobile
club members.
The "thickly settled' district with
in which the rate of speed must not ex-
coed eight miles an hour will be de-
fined. The boundaries proposed are
| Franklin avenue on the south, Cedar
avenue on the east and Twentieth ave-
nue. on the north. Washington avenue
may be included along its entire length.
At crossings the autos must not go
faster than human beings can walk.
Three Numbers Wanted.
The license numbers must be exposed
in triplicate, one appearing on the rear
of the machine and the others on the
!
night. The numbers must be perma
nently attached or painted The prac
tice of having the number on small
sign which is hung from the car by
hooks will not be compliance with the
ordinance, for, according to Westphal Z
idea, the device is contrary to thu
spirit of the requirement that the mum
Der must be "displayed. - 1t is sim
pie matter when a driver gets into
trouble to unsnap the number plate ant
conceal it, unless it be firmly attached
to the car.
Most radical of all the many pro
visions which Westphal purposes to in
clude is one prohibiting glass wind
Gus is not generally known, but he say
he has had an experience with then
that convinces him they should be pro
hibited. They brighten horses, he says
even more than the appearance and thu
noise Of the machines. =. z
What Drivers Say.
"The only thing about the ordinance
to which I would object is the reegula
Asa Paine, prominent, automobil
driver, today. "That talk is rubbish
If enforced, it would call for the re
moval Of glass from coupes and othe
vehicles If we are to have number
at all, no one should object to havin!
them on the lights and fixed SO tina
they can be seen without trouble. Thi
is an eastern idea in vogue for som
time. The automobile club member
are in favor of a strong ordinance reg
ulating speed in the thickly. settled ten
ritory. We have been working with til
officials for more careful driving an
: think it has had a good effect. Their
5 is less scorching now than last year.
/ favor slow speeds in the downtown dis
I tricts and the automobile drivers 0
t.. Minneapolis will assist in every wa
8 possible in making the streets safe fo
t ALL
f Something must be done to regulat
g speed,' said F. M. Joyce. SThe clu
committee has consulted with Mayo
Jones and is working with him. Th
eight-mile an hour speed on downtow
streets is all right, but [ do not fave
the three-mile an hour regulation as
T. crossings. Look at street cars and ca
r riages of every description on crossing
A driver going at eight miles on hol
j. can stop his car dead within ten fe'
: or less. We are just as anxious to re-
v ulate speeds as Alderman Westphal an
o the drivers of Minneapolis will he
). enforce the law. It is foolish to tai
e. of doing away with wind shields. TIL;
l think is unreasonable and it wou
meet with objection. The drivers
q not object to any reasonable action al
= will help enforce it. The work of SUI
re pressing scorching undertaken by mel
L. bers Of the club has already Dor,
is fruit -