The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-22
LAW SHOULD SEND
SCORCHERS TO JAIL
Continued from Page one.)
JOHN SHEPARD, JR.


Rhode Island Autumobne club-"This
speeding OF automobiles in city streets.
or wherever there are people passing 10
and from. is an outrage. Everybody real
lies that 1t has got to stop. The only
place for such practices Is on some such
road as the road TO Taunton. where there
are few crossroads and no people.
person is liable TO step off the sidewalk
at any time. No automobile should be al
lowed to go so fast that Il cannot be
stopped within a quarter OF its length.
THE place for racing chauffeurs is In
cell. Filming them will not do any good.
Tho punishment should be made TO III the
crime People can he killed when drivers
are careful. There is a strong feeling
against speeding on the streets all the
officers of the automobile club are against
II. and I am certain the members are
willing to do anything they can to assist
the police In stopping &C."
CHAIRMAN LUTHER.
Chairman William H. Luther OF the po-
lice commission-"Thism matter OF automo-
bile speeding Is one OF the most serious
things with which the police department
has 20 contend. Last spring the depart
ment started a determined fight for the
enforcement of the law. which makes II a
penal offence to drive through the streets
faster than n common travelling paco.
The board took a most uncompromising
position on the matter and gave all to
understand that If apprehended they must
take the consequences.
During the spring and summer there
were probably 100 arrests made by mem-
bers OF the department. We let every case
go up TO the court, making no discrimin-
alton In favor of anyone. The way In
which the court sustained the efforts of
the department and our persistence in
following up known violations OF the
speed law undoubtedly had the effect OF
reducing the speed OF automobiles in the
city.
For some weeks past we have had to
use the patrolmen in other directions, so
that the crusade has not been so closely
followed up. and the result is that condi-
tions are not so satisfactory as they
were.
"A few Jail sentences would have a
good effect, in my opinion. There are a
lot of reckless chauffeurs and a few reck-
less owners Many owners know little or
the operation of their machines, and they
are so far dependent upon their chauffeurs
that IL the latter are arrested for over
speeding the owners will pay the fine. The
real offender thus does not feel the pun
ishment, but IL a jail sentence was i'm
posed 1t would fall where 1t belonged.
'tThe automobile club officials have con-
ferred with the commissioners on this
matter in the past, and at one Time ar
ranged to appoint committee OF mem
bers who would be sworn In as special
constables and watch for cases OF over
speeding. This proposition was reconsid-
cred. however.
.~rhe need of more men in the depart
In
Others. think that law providing for
a revocation of the license I'm aggravated
cases would do good. ] think a chauneuf
who is under the influence OF liquor while
driving should get Jail sentence"
CHIEF OF POLICE EGAN.
Chief Of Police Patrick Egan said: IT
takes at least three men TO set trap.
one at either end OF the measured course
TO take the time and the third TO stop
the offender.
1--WE have to change our plans contin-
ally for IL does not take long for motor
lists to become aware of the fact that
we are keeping a watch at a certain
place. We have some men out on this
duty practically all the time
WILLIAM PENN MATHER.
William Penn Mather, president of the
Rhode Island Automobile club, said: "The
american Automobile association has
been for some time trying TO have fed
eral law passed which. among other
things. will call for the licensing of all
chauffeurs. We are making s'rpnI
fight for this thing in particular. ~
matter has been discussed considerably
i'm this state. and practically every one Is
in favor OF such "A law
CHARLES p. BENNETT.
Secretary of state Charles i Bennett
said: There Is altogether too much
recklessless i'm the driving of automobiles.
~, ~K1l.uI al. Cor lie iG n
damage must be borne by the owner,
whether he be the driver or not. Chauf-
feurs take out the cars and feel compar-
atively safe because they VIII not be held
responsible for damage.
Most of the recklessness Is caused by
young men whose fathers buy machines
and let their young sons run them. II
would be n very good thing to license
the drivers. Then we could make then
carry their badges and papers. as they
do I'm Massachusetts,.
AN act I'm amendment OF sonc one oi
tho acts regarding the use and driving
OF automobiles might be introduced into
the General Assembly with good results
There seems TO be no doubt but that 4
would be acted upon in a short time"
ELLIOT FLINT.
Elliot Flint. one OF the members OF tn
race committee OF the Rhode Island Au
tomobile club and dealer IT have beei
Obliged 10 discontinue tho services of sew
eral OF my first-class mcu because the.
werc speed-crazy. am opposed TO fas
driving in every way shape and form.
believe the public 10 be inexcusably care
! less many times, but that does not Civ
the possessor of q powerful piece of me
chanism the right to use that mechanism
| to anyones injury. I believe no one hn-
| a right 10 become a nuisance, and II |
man drives his car in a reckless way 81
that he may injure the public he Selouk
| be stopped one way or another.
IF we could license our drivers as W.
do locomotive engineers and indorse theil
licenses when they have an accident. and
revoke that license altogether for reck-
lessness. we might be able TO stop all this
fast driving. hope tho public will be
| lenlent TO any driver who has an un-
| avoidable accident The public is very