Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-04
Men on Duty Say Women scorchers
Are Harder Than Men to Catch.
Have No Fear Of
Danger

NJ dozen CITY officials than seek to run
down one woman in whose dainty auto
mobile cap the speed bug Is buzzing.
At best the work of an automobile po-
liceman Is no sinecure. Tne duty re-
ouires the greatest of judgment and
nerve as well as a display of GOODNESS.
Each day when the motorcycle police
men leave the station they know they
are taking their lives in their hands ana
that before they return at night they
will be compelled to risk death dozen
times Flying along crowded streets at
a speed often as high as forty miles an
hour while seeking to run down some
speed maniac who is breaking the law,
the men know that a single slip on a
street car rail, or even a collision with a
stone, means certain death.
Unaffected by Danger
Yet the men start out with laughs on
their lips and joke for their comrades.
Down First street to Broadway go the
two officers, and south to Pico, one of
the favorite speeding places in Los An
geles.
Several blocks ahead of them they see
a cloud of dust which they know hides
a rushing automobile.
Instantly the chase is on. Mile after
mile is burned up, the policemen lean
ing far over their handlebars to guard
for obstacles, and at the same time keep
ing close watch on their speedometers in
order to have evidence sufficient to con-
yict at the end of the chase.
In the front the chauffeur of the speed
ing car turns and spies the forms of the
policemen. He knows that he is the
object of their mad ride and that If he
is overtaken it will mean trip to the
station and a payment OF a $50 nne.
Should he succeed in keeping far enough
number or overtake him, he VIII escape
both the trip and the fine.
Every human being with sporting blood
enough to run an automobile delights in
a struggle The chauffeur turns on full
speed.
May Be Blocked
Still the officers stick to the chase. 1t
| is possible the supply of gasoline in the
tank of the automobile may be running
| low and will cause the chain gear to
slacken speed. Perhaps his way will be
blocked and they will be able to over
| take him before he can get clear.
| This last happens.
| "Wait a minute" comes the voice of
| the motorcycle policeman. 1.-THE captain
wants to see you at the station"
| The chase Is over.
| Suppose the pursued is woman-one
| of the kind who delights in driving a
give even the most daring male chauf-
feurs a run for their money.
Things are not so pleasant then for the
motorcycle man. AS a usual thing he
is compelled to listen while he is called
names he never heard before. and is
given instructions such as his captain
never dreamed of.
Miss Ollie H. Bennett, a well known
young society woman of Los Angeles,
and an experienced chauffeur, was ar
rested in June. For weeks Humphreys
sought to overtake this young woman,
but each time his motorcycle proved too
slow and she got away from him.
At last he overlook her and warned
Miss Bennett that her next offense
would mean an arrest. With a merry
laugh the young woman turned on her
power and drew away from the patrol
man. who, knowing how fruitless it was
to follow was compelled to let her go.
Caught with Watch
| A few days later Miss Bennett again
broke the speed ordinance. Again Hum
phreys saw her, and this time decided he
would break her of the habit for good.
For several hours he waited and at last
saw a large red car tearing toward him.
At once the patrolman's watch was in
his hand. and as he watched the speed
ing machine he found that the young
woman was driving through a crowded
street at a speed little greater than
twenty-five miles an hour.
That night Humphreys swore to war
rant for Miss Benefits arrest, but she
at first refused to obey 1t. She sent her
uncle to the court room, but he was
informed that If Miss Bennett did not
appear in answer to the warrant within
a short time an officer would be sent to
bring her in.
When she appeared before Police JUS
tice Chambers she was compelled to pay
SIS fine.
And as she left the court she threw
glance filled with scorn at Patrolman
Humphreys and in a voice of intense
anger said "Mean old thing!' But even
this must the bicycle squad take.
According to the members of the squad
1t is seldom the driver of the long, low,
rakish appearing racer who breaks the
law. Instead it is the driver of the
meek, quiet appearing car. These cars,
as a usual thing, look as If meant to
carry none but quiet, modest old per-
sons, whose last wish would be supposed
to be fierce and wild races. The motor
cycle policemen have come to look with
suspicion on the quiet appearing cars,
while little attention is paid to those of
the racer type.
There is another side to the duty of
the motorcycle man. Some drivers, in
addition to recklessness and speed mad
ness, appear to have become so heartless
that the sufferings of human being,
even If that being is one of their own
victims, do not affect them.
During the last month three persons
have been severely injured by the driv-
ers of automobiles, and in each case the
chauffeur drove away without as much
as a passing glance at the injured
One of these men, poor laborer, is
still in the county hospital suffering with
fractured hip, while his wife and three
children are in destitute circumstances.
1t will be several weeks before he will
be able to return to work, and his work
is trying to secure funds to provide for
the family's wants by taking in washing.
Recently woman was stopped by the
motorcycle policemen after she had run
down a lame old man at Seventh Nand
Broadway
why, l footed my horn for him and
he never paid the least bit of attention."
said the woman. Afterward 1t was found