The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-12-10

The work of the Rhode Island Automo-
bile club, which is agitating for more
effective speed law, is being supplement-
ed in the several towns. notably In War
wick by the town councils, which are IN
structing the officers to do their full duty
in apprehending violators of existing
ordinances and relying upon the judges
OF districts courts TO do the rest.
A, its meeting yesterday the Warwick
town council unanimously adopted the
following report made by Town Solicitor
Frederick A. Jones and signed by ths
solicitor and George j. Holden:
THE committee finds strong sent!-
ment within the town against the contln-
ued use OF the highways of warwick by
automobiles In utter disregard of the
rights OF others, feeling which the
COMMITTEES believes. Justly exists ana re-
suits from continued speeding py iarse
number of automobilists.
''rhe committee Is confronted rlth
many difficulties In making recommenda-
tions TO prevent the continuation or the
speed nuisance.
''The state law regulating the speed OF
automobiles is inadequate In its provi-
sions and should be changed Convic-
tions under the present law are hard TO
secure and the penalties provided are IN
adequate
LACK OF PROTECTION.
Another difficulty is lack OF an ap-
preparation for police protection. Se"ur-
ing necessary evidence upon which 10
base a complaint of violation of the law
regulating the speed of automobiles is
much more expensive than securing evil
dence of violation of most laws To Sc
cure the necessary evidence OF the rate
of speed travelled and To make the ar
rest require two or three police officers
working together. The city OF Providence
In On
a paid police force the town of Warwick
finds a great deal OF difficulty In secur-
ing the necessary evidence to secure con-
viction.
"Your committee would make the fol-
lowing recommendations:
"1 That the chief OF police be instruct
cd 10 employ necessary assistants IN Sc
curing evidence OF violation OF the law
regulating the speed OF automobiles
"2 That the town solicitor be instruct
ed To endeavor TO secure jail sentence
I'm cases where conviction is secured or
violation OF the law regulating the speed
OF automobiles.
"3 That the senator and representa-
tives from the town of Warwick 10 the
general assembly be requested 10 secure
at the next January session the passage
or n law which Will more effectively reg
ulate the speed OF automobiles
ASSEMBLYMEN'S VIEWS.
IfONlufntt NSStHnlN Ulfn anu ItHItS'n-
tatives-elect express themselves as fol
lows on the necessity for curbing the
scorchers:
Senator Rathbone Gardner-T'he matter
has been brought 10 my attention. but ]
have not had time 10 investigate II thor
oughly. I am I'm favor of on act that will
stop reclxlessness and fast driving. and
will support such law IL II seems TO me
to be just meaure.
Representative Lewis a Waterman
will most certainly favor bill
hch will tend 10 regulate the opera
tion Of automobiles and will do away
with reckless or fast driving through
the crowded streets | believe that mex
perienced drivers should be under bet
ter control than they now are. | do
not think that the present laws are lived
up 20 by the autoists. and for that reason
their real value cannot be seen. Another
thing. | believe the state should exercise
control over automobiles that como into
this state from some other. There are
automobiles that bear numbers different
from those on record at the offcc of the
secretary of state.
Representative Thomas y. Koarncy-I
believe in the regulation OF automobiles.
So that we can az least protect human
life. Those drivers who overspeed with
IT, city limits knowingly aid In commit
ting murder. They must know that an
ordinary human being cannot get ont OF
/ the way of their high powered and fast
moving pieces of mechanism. Any act
that will tend to regulate the ovcSpccding
within the city limits viii receive my sup
port. l believe that law providing
| for tho licensing of every driver, whether
owner or professional chauffeur. would
| help I'm this matter l would favor prohi-
biting automobiles on certain Of the city
roads and believe that automobiles should
not be allowed 10 enter or leave cities over
| tho congostcd thoroughfarcs. a iail SEN
| teuce. with a linc about equal 20 the value