Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-30
MAYORS ULTIMATUM
CHAUFFEUR BELL MAY BE Elk
TRADITED FOR TRIAL.

The incident at Glen Echo. Md, week
ago in which Chauffeur Bell. operator Of
an automobile for Mrs. Theodore p Shonts
and the Misses Shonts, was principal, took
on a more serious phase this morning, when
Mayor John A. Garrett of Glen Echo an
nounced his ultimatum. Mr.. Garrett ex-
planned the situation to a Star reporter,
stating that Chauffeur Bell has not yet ap-
peared to answer the charge Of violating
the speed law of Glen Echo. He then said
mo decisive action will be taken probably
until Tuesday morning, but If Bell has not
decided by that time to answer tn charge
of which 1t is confessed he Is guilty-'violat-
ing the speed law'-I will apply for requisi-
ton. Violation of the speed law may not be
an extraditable offense, but assault with
intent to do bodily harm does come within
the law by which an offender can be
brought from the jurisdiction of the Dis
trict of Columbia, and warrant based
upon the alleged attempt to run down Town
Marshal Collins will be issued for this pur-
pose. "a
President Robert B. Caverly of the Au-
tomobile Club of the District of Column
ba has taken considerable interest in the
case in question because of the breach 1t
threatens to the amicable relations be-
tween the automobilsts of Washington and
the authorities at Glen Echo.
The speed limit in Glen Echo Is now
only six miles an hour, said Mr.. Caverly,
but, largely through the assurances OF
cooperation between the club and the au-
thorties of the Maryland town, a new
ordinance has been written on the books
increasing the limit to twelve miles an
hour, and this goes into effect April l. On
its part the automobile club has promised
to do all in its power to induce offending
chauffeurs and car owners who may have
been released on promise to return or VINO
have escaped arrest to return to Glen
Echo and stand trial. and 1t Is on this
principle only that l am interested In the
case of last Saturday.
Rights Of Others.
In the New England states. Massachu-
sets particularly. the Automobiles have
learned the best way to gain privileges on
country roads Is to respect the feelings
and rights of others, and 1t is this spirit
which the automobile club is seeking to in
culcate here. 1 wish to see Chauffeur Bell
go to Glen Echo and stand trial, so that
others may be deferred from following
his example. If automobile parties out for
a lark persist in riding over the roads and
over the laws of surrounding Jurisdictions
the time will ="rely come when Verltable
barrier of drastic speed regulations Will be
erected about the capital city, to the loss
of the law abiding and the law -defylng
alike
by moderation and consideration the
Massachusetts automobiles have succeeded
in having the speed limits on country roads
eight miles an hour. BY excuses the car
drivers and owners in Washington may
very easily provoke a spirit of retaliation
which will react upon all.
According to a statement attributed to
Miss Margaret Shonts, the party with
Chauffeur Bell driving was halted once
last Saturday near Chevy Chase by Police
man Trenis of the seventh precinct who
reported they were running at the rate or
thirty-dve miles an hour. AS result OF
this arrest collateral was deposited at the
seventh precinct police station and subse-
uuently forfeited. Miss Shonts' statement
about the occurrence in Glen Echo was that
the chauffeur pointed out man approach
ing on a bicycle as Marshal Collins. and
the automobile was "speeded up under In
structions of the party not to permit Col
Inns to catch the car. The same tactics were
followed on the return trip.
Alleged to Have Fired Revolver.
About the claim that an effort was made
to run down Collins, Miss Shonts' declara-
ton was that Bell swerved neither to the
right nor left in passing the policeman.
Instead she declared, Collins fired a shot
from his revolver directly at the car.
1t is reported Mr.. Shonts. in letter from
New York, said he would have Chauffeur
Bell go to Glen Echo for trial and pay for
| him any fine which might be imposed Bells
| failure to appear before Mayor Garrett, 1t
| Is also stated. is due to instructions from
| Mrs. Shonts. who has been quoted as say
| ing she would not have Bell stand trial un-
n. i,aSta or