The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-09
LAWS WILL De
ENFORCED To STOP
HIGH SPEEDING

Automobiles will be interested In the
following correspondence. in which the
police commissioners interpret the laws
relating TO automobiling. and why pros
ecutions have and should be made.
The correspondence is between Charles
Russell. treasurer OF the Rhode Island
Automobile club, and the commissioner.
the first letter being that OF MIR. Russell
as foffo ~. -e~ NJ.
''in view OF the approaching automo-
bile season and the increase in the mum.
bera using the same, | write to ask what
In going TO be the Interpretation of the
police department as TO the speed around
the city.
interest. as / desire to keep within what
ever. the authorities decide Is proper
secondly. az treasurer OF the automo-
bile club, / would like TO be In position
10 report to the club what the interpre-
tation OF the law will be by the author-
ties.
the club work towards harmony as be-
tween the people and the automobiist
recognize fully that the same rate or
speed f. not safe under all conditions, as
a man driving on wide street would be
quite safe at a speed that would be abso-
lutely dangerous on more congested ols-
trict"
In reply to this letter the police COM
Ynissioners this morning mailed the fol-
lowing answer:
Regarding your inquiry as TO the In
terpretation of the laws by the authori-
ties, we can only refer you TO the enclosed
parag graph taken from the law. AS you
must realize. a rate OF speed that might
rot be considered dangerous on straight
roads in the outlying sections OF tho city
would be unsafe in the business sec
tions. Realizing that the city council
adopted an ordinance some years ago
regulating the speed OF street cars as fol-
lows: on Westminster street, east or
Jackson. Washington, east of Walker,
Weybosset Dorrance. Exchange. Mathew
son, Market square, South Main street,
rUrth OF Transit. North Main street,
south CT Haymarket street, Mil street
and Charles streets, south OF Randall
street not faster than six miles an hour;
Francis street, Elmwood avenue, north OF
Adelaide avenue, Broad street between
Trinity square and Public street, Prairie
avenue from Public street To Broad
street Eddy street from Public street
TO New York avenue Manton avenue,
Gladstone avenue, Admiral street,
Branch avenue New York avenue and
Mary land avenue, not faster than 10 miles
az hour; Broad street, south OF Public
street, Smith street. west OF Oakland
avenue, and North Main street. north OF
Sexton street, not faster than IL miles an
hour; any other highway or street, or
pOruOn or street not ADONs eIuilltTdleu,
not faster than nine miles an hour.
''In all cases OF prosecution by this de-
partment II has been proven that the
ma chimes were being driven at an excess
OF Is miles an hour. and the trial justice
Is TO decide what is a common travelling
pace and what is dangerous rate of
speed
The board believes that in the past n
has taken a conservative position in this
enforcement OF the law prohibiting the
speeding OF vehicles on the public streets.
and wTfl continue I'm the future TO apply
the law In a manner best calculated TO
protect the citizens OF Providence. with
due regard 10 the rights and privileges
of owners OF automobiles, and the laws
regarding the registering and numbering
OF machines is very clear. and we believe
that violations are due to careleSsness
rather than desire to evade the law.
The board can see no reasonable excuse
for any omission to comply with the re-
ouirements In regard 10 numbers
The board, I'm it's communication, ex-
presses ITS belief that a large majority OF
thc automoblists desire 20 observe the
law and cooperate with the authorities
but that the board has been compelIesi
20 act because OF complaints made OF
automobfllsts who do not seem 10 care
sbout the law.