The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-04-30
AUTOMOBILES
Who Scorch in the State
Capital Are to be
Placed in Cooler.
MOVE TO LIMIT SPEED
(By George U. Marvln)

Columbus, Ohio, April 2S.-Automo-
bilists who persist in hurrying along
the streets of Columbus at breakneek
speed, endangering both the life and
person of pedestrians are to be
checked. A police motor cycle squad
has been organizedf for the express pur-
pose of giving this class of motorists
chase and landing them before a po-
lice judge for hearing, and, II guilty,
sentenced. The motor cycles are here
and .he task is now to find policemen
with the courage and experience to
operate them. 1t has been found that
a good cycle when geared up to the
highest speed and running at its full
limit can skim along at something
like sixty miles an hour, which is said
to be sufficiently fast to overtake the
fastest automobile In town. A test
was given them in the outskirts Of
the city the other morning, and while
In some regards II was disappointing,
In others the result was highly sat
isfactory. IL proved beyond a doubt
that well managed cycle can ac-
quire a speed equal to that OF lin
tied express train, but 1t likewise
demonstrated that It takes a man OF
steady nerve and knowledge OF me-
chanics to operate one satisfactorily
either to himself or those in the Inn
mediate vicinity OF where the demon
stration is being held. Several Off
GERS after skudding along straight
piece OF road for a considerable dis
tance, anG at hurricane rapidity, sud
denly found themselves called upon to
make quick turn, the idea being, no
doubt, that an automobile might thus
branch OFF at an angle and the pur-
suing cycle should be competent to
follow. The result Of such expert
ments was, in most instances, hardly
calculated TO inspire the strongest
hearted man with a desire to operate
a motor as a means OF permanent
livelihood. In nearly every instance
the attempt to diverge from a straight
line found It's elimination In a sepa-
rated cycle and driver with consider
able damage to both. With that per-
verslty which is said to actuate mani
mate objects the motor cycles refused
to obey either the steering wheel or
the apparatus put on to be used IN
stopping. Therefore the velocity
about the curves was no less than
straight away. Riders were thrown
into ditehes and against trees, stop
ping with n suddenness which was
neither dignified nor pleasant. The
machines kept on their mad career
until either run down or stopped by
collision, in some instances colli-
sion with an interested spectator.
The police surgeons are now busy
and the hospital has more than it's
quota OF patients, but the fact has
been established that a motor cycle II |
operated correctly and not disturbed
In its course will oyertake the swift
est automobile that is made and thus |
Is the law again vindicated.
II is a fact which cannot be gain |
said that some check Is needed to |
keep the speed mad automobiles with
In bounds. They almost literally ride |
over everybody and everything. Not
more than half a dozen nights ago a |
young man speeding along East
Broad street ran into a carriage con-
taining the county coroner. The cor
oner Immediately wanted to hold an
Inquest, and was willing to furnish
the subject. Cool headed friends pre-
vented him from attacking the chat
feur, and the latter, together with the
other occupants OF the automobile,
Will now answer in court.
When the auto cycles are well un-
der control and the policemen fitted
to control them. the auto nuisance in
Columbus may be at an end. The
next thing for pedestrians to learn
Will probably be how TO successfully
lodge a cycle, but as they are less
leavy, a collision with one would
prove less hurtful. So there is some
hing to be thankful for after all,