Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-04
WITHIN CRY LIMITS
POINT IN POLICE REGULATION
DISCUSSED.
Maj. sylvester's Response to Conn
plants Regarding Locomotive
Whistles In Suburbs.

Does railroad engine, blowing its
whistle In the suburbs, violate the lawf
This Is the point raised by Major Syi-
vester In q report submitted to the Com
missioners yesterday afternoon, In which
he took up at length the question OF the
footing of locomotive whistles both within
and without the city limits. The whole
problem was brought up at this time as
the result of complaint made by resi-
dent Of Southeast Washington. published
in The Star few days ago. and as the
result Of editorial comment IN The Star.
Attached to Major Syivester's report was
copy Of the editorial. headed Police
Initiative" printed in The Star January q
Only one individual complaint about IL
legal blowing of locomotive whistles was
made to the police department during 1906
Major Sylvester declares, and one other
complaint. made by citizens OF Brookland.
was found to be founded on whistles which
were sounded outside the District. In
Maryland. but carried over the city shrilly
by prevailing northeast Winds.
The Regulations Discussed.
After giving these details, the superin-
tendent of police goes into an analysis Of
the regulations, stating that 1.-THE police
regulations provide that no bell or whistle
shall be struck or sounded In any of the
places mentioned In section /, article 8 Of
the same regulations, which refers to any
street. avenue, alley, highway. footway.
sidewalk, parking or other public space in
the District OF Columbia, excepting sleighs
or other vehicles On runners, or to animals
drawing the same, cycles bicycles. tricycles
and carts for the collection of ashes
and ambulance services"
IA question arises continues the major.
whether the railroad outside of the city IL
a highway, for section Of article 10 pro-
vides that every vehicle on a public high
way shall keep on the right side thereof,
and switching Is done on both the right and
left. If 1t Is a highway for the purposes
Of the police regulations the blowing Of
whistle thereon would be in violation Of the
section herein first referred to. This ques-
ton would have some bearing on the en-
forcement Of the regulations in the suburbs
Or outlying sections of the District
Major Sylvester details the several points
at which engineers of locomotives are in the
habit of sounding their whistles In the SUBJ
urbs. and says:
The locomotive whistles must be
blown while 1t Is on a street, highway,
alley or public space in order to be vio-
lation, which makes the police effort diff
lcult, as Will be readily understood. It
Is absolutely necessary to secure pedes-
TRANS, horses and wagons against acct
dent in the suburbs where the wagon
roads cross the railroad tracks. The rec
ordS show numerous cases of lost lives
at these crossings In the absence Of
other sufficient alarms or notifications of
approaching trains shall the present
whistle signal be proceeded against at
the danger points?
In Sympathy With Citizens.
The major and superintendent is in
full sympathy with the effort to keep
down needless noises. The force has en-
deavored to keep down the locomotive
whistles and other noises covered in any
way by the police regulations as the few
complaints would indicate (three in one
year as to locomotive noises), and re-
newed efforts under orders of this depart
ment are being made, but the question of
interference at the outside, suburban To-
calities. to which 1 have referred, is
very serious one and worthy of careful
consideration to the end that the au-
thorities may not be held responsible in
any way for injury to life or property.
II the suburban locomotive signals must
be stopped the railroads should be re-
CURED to provide some safety substitute
that is effective"