The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-15
ECHO DEFIES UNCLE sam
WILL ENF0RCE SPEED MULES ON
AUTOMOBILISTs.


WASHINGTON, July A.-Wben a little town
right at the doors Of the national capital
defies the whole Government Of the Unit 4
States 1t is evident that something inter-
estin& is going to happen. Glen Echo, the
Maryland suburb OF Washington, noted for
its boy Mayor and its automobile chasing
town marshal, ms refused to accept the de-
cision Of Acknowledgement Bona arte that
the CONDUIT road. the towns principal high
way, belongs to the nation and cannot he
regulated or controlled by municipal author
tiles.
The Federal Government has a bear by
the tail and doesn't dare let go. There are
international aspects Of the case also, for
Glen Echo's marshal held up a royal duke
and an ambassador and fred his revolver
at the motor car of a representative of a
great foreign Power, and the Government
nay conclude that unless il follows the
Attorney-General's rulings diplomatic en-
Parrassment may follow. The Attorney
General said that all this was illegal as well
as indiscreet, for the rea son that Glen Echo's
rulers have no authority over the Conduit
Isroed. incidentally the Attorney General
held that the heavy fines paid by automo-
bilists to enrich Glen Echo's treasury were
collected illegally
Last night the Glen Echo Town Council
held a meeting to consider the opinion Of
Attorney-General Bonaparte. AID the up
! shot was a determination to stand pat on
the towns war ON Automobiles. Mayor
Garrett made a speech full Of ginger. He
ridiculed the Attorney Generals deduc-
tons. With the exception OF one OF two
clauses the decision. he commended, fol-
lowed the lines OF the petition OF the WASH
ington Automobile Club. which was denied
by Judge Morris OF Baltimore. and a brief
which had been overruled by Gen. Davis.
the Judge Advocate Genera of the army.
II there was no restraint imposed, the
/ u Mayor asserted. the Conduit road
woul become a hotbed Of crime and the
lives and property OF citizens would be in
danger constantly.
The council was SO impressed with the
Mayors argument that it decided to uphold
him.. IL went even further. 1t reduced
the speed limit on the conduit road through
Glen Echo from twelve to six miles an hour
along all the principal t~horoughfares lead
ing to Glen Echo and ordered that every
person arrested for overspeeding who
had deposited collateral and failed to ap-
ear for trial should be rearrested and
punished. it was ordered also that all The
delinauents who we're not brought before
the Mayor by November should be certified
to the county Grand Jury for indictment
and their appearance obtained through
~extraditiun. The list of those who deposited
collateral but failed to appear for trial
contains 162 names. According to Attorney
General Bonaparte these coIlRterals we're
lille gally collected.
The Maryland authorities are behind the
Glen Echo officials in their intention TO en-
force the town regulations. State At
torney Robert Peter has promised legal
assistance and funds to Mayor Garrett in
his fight.
Charles Collins, the town marshal, has
reconsidered his intention to resign. He
had originally decided to go into vaudeville
but has changed his mind. Then he ten
dered his resignation and was going TO
Philadelphia 20 engage in business with his
brother. When Attorney General Bona
parte rendered his opinion that the Conduit
O arrests made by Collins we're illegal
Collins withdrew his resignation and will
take part in the fight to prevent the Federal
authorities from assumining control over
trafic on that part OF the Conduit road
which runs through Glen Echo.