Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-14
OPPOSITION TO
BROAD TIRE BILL
Hearing Today Before District
Commissioners.
NONE PRESENT FAVORED 1T
Business Men Give Vigorous EXPIRES
sion Of Views.
PROBABLE COST OF INNOVATION
More Than Five Thousand Vehicles
Would Be Affected, Including
Fire Department Apparatus.

Zens' associations were represented and OF
Tered objections to the proposed measure
ments would inflict an undue hardship upon
the merchants and business men OF the
District was the chief contention.
1t was pointed out by several Of those who
addressed the board that more than 5000
vehicles would be affected and to change
the tires would necessitate the placing OF
new axles at large outlay OF money.
Chief Belt stated that practically every We
hicle employed by the fire department would
be affected by the proposed law. He stat
ed that with few exceptions all OF the fre
vehicles weighed more than 4Ooo POUNDS
and that their tires are less than four
inches in width. The new law would
mean not only the extra expense of alter
Ing the tires and axles but 1t would tend to
make the vehicle heavier and retard It's
speed.
Apparatus Of Fire Department.
The chief stated that there are sixty-two
pieces of apparatus in the fire department
that would be affected and each Is SO con-
structed that none will sustain a four-inch
tire.
Gas each piece" he explained. carries
one extra front wheel and one extra rear
wheel. it will be seen that it will be neces-
sary to purchase six wheels for each piece.
making q total OF 372 new wheels to be
bought. At least seventy new axles would
be needed. In addition the tracks in the
fire houses would nave 10 De 10TH up anu
replaced by tracks OF sufficient size to prop
erly accommodate the new wheels.
In answer to a question by Commissioner
Macfarland. who presided at the hearing.
Chief Belt said that the changes necessary
should the bill be enacted would cost ap-
proximately $35. 761.
IT think, gentlemen" Chief Belt c0nclud-
ed, that the installation Of the suggested
broad tires would be an impeachment to this
department rather than an aid"
In opening the hearing Commissioner Mac
farland asked If there was any one who
favored the BILL saying 1t was the custom OF
the Commissioners to hear the affirmative
side first, but there was no response, much
to the amusement Of the large assemblage.
Commissioner Macfarland read letter from
A. F. Kinnan, president of the Brookland
Citizens Association. In which he advocated
the measure with a view Of preserving the
good condition Of asphalt streets.
The first speaker in opposition to the bill
was William s. Knox of 143I Pennsylvania
avenue northwest. He said that the DILL
was an unnecessary and unjust one. and
that he hoped the Commissioners would
report adversely upon it. Mr.. Knox added
that he operates $50 wagons for his express
business. and that more than 100 OF them
would be affected by the proposed law. He
said the wagons generally weigh, without
a load. from 1900 to $500 pounds. and that
the tires seldom ever measure more than
~ or inches. THE law, 1t was pointed
out. would prohibit the interchange of
wagons between cities.
Sometimes. when we are rushed here. we
borrow wagons from Baltimore, and when
the merchants of that city are busy they
borrow from u.s. the speaker said. This
law would do away with this convenience"
Number Of Wagons Affected.
Mr. Knox was unable to give the Commits
sioners an accurate idea Of the number of
wagons in the District that would be af-
fected by the law. but said he imagined
-, <Lo,~
read prices showing what the changes
would cost.
How would it suit to make the limit
g. 600 pounds" Commissioner Biddie asked.
1T wouldn't help bit,'' Mr.. Knox an
the broadening of the tire and installation
of heavier spokes and axles would necessi-
tate US putting on four horses on all OF our
wagons affected A set OF four-inch wheels
more than $4,000"
Mr. Knox concluded his remarks by SUBJ
the dealers of agricultural implements Of
Washington In opposition to the proposed
This bill. if enacted. viii take from the
more than 81. 00O, Co.," Conrad Syme of coun-
sci for the Business Mems Association de-
clared. Gentlemen, we want you to save
us from this vicious legislation. It Is just
H.
ing our young business men out of the city.
1t Is impossible to get dollar invested in
business interests in this city because Of the
extreme powers of Congress. The legisia-
In answer to a question by Col Biddle.
Mr. Syne said it would be useless to at
tempt to modify or amend the bill.
The only thing .;v we want. he added. "s
Mr.. Syme concluded by reading letters
from the Brennan Construction Company
and the Crawford Paving Company. who, It
is said. do practically all the street paving
for the District, in which they stated that
the installation Of broad tires would not
tend to preserve the asphalt and that they
opposed the bill.
Objections Of Mr.. Newbold.
The next speaker was Mr.. John L. New
bold Of the Merchants Transfer Com
pany. He was vigorous in his objections
and went into details in explaining to
the Commissioners why the bill should
be disapprOved.
'"The bill If enacted would put a num-
Der Of business men out Of business" Mr..
Newbold declared More than 5000 wagons
would be affected. and to make the nee
essary changes and alterations would cost
the local wagon owners more than 81 .000,-
900. There is no other city in the United
States with such a regulation as this pro-
but never became operative. ''All laws In
England regulating width Of tires have
been repealed. as have such laws Of other
European countries"
In answer to questions by Commissioner
mcfarland Mr.. Newbold said compare
lively hght-framed wagons would be COM
PEELED to put on broad tires. because they
often carry more than 1900 pounds.
How much would II cost to change each
wagon. on an ayerager' Commissioner
Mcfarland wanted to know.
Il will say about 800 or $500" Mr.. New
bold answered
At this point Chris. Heurich OF the brew
ing company Of that name said the re-
quirements Of the law would cost him more
than $4,000
Mr.. Macfariand announced that the Com
missioners must have more definite figures
and statistics on the question In order to
properly report to Congress upon the bin
II would say offhand," Mr.. Heurich re-
marked. that 1t would cost me 800 .
wagon to make the necessary changes be-
cause Of this law and think that would
be the average throughout the city,"
Sales Have Fallen On.
''since this agitataea over the broad