The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-04
POLICE JOTTINCS.
Mr.. SOuthwick Protests Against
High Auto Fine.
Owners of Cars May Organize to
Oppose Ordinance.
KEEP UP CRUSADE.
Judge Urmy Resents Suggestion
of Banker.
Big Raid is Made But Most OF
Victims Escape.

The Topeka Automobile association
will have to rise to arms and with
their influence regulate this police
court business. That is the opinion
of M. F. Southwick given this morn
ing when he pleaded guilty for his
son, Franks, speeding and was
fined s25.
The pop pop cop" came on duty
Monday after a three weeks illness
and the cycle was busted off and the
gasoline tank filed. Tuesday and
Wednesday saw five arrests of drivers
exceeding the speed limit which re-
suited in five fines of $25. G. Davis
paid his yesterday morning, H. NJ.
Miller and NJ. V. Kistler paid theirs
in the afternoon and two more were
caught last night who paid this morn
ing These are c. NJ. Hill. whose son,
II years old, was running the ma
chine up and down the grades of
Sixth avenue at the rate of 25 or so
miles an hour. and NJ. F. Southwick,
whose son, Frank, crossed Kansas
avenue at Tenth at the speed of 20
miles an hour. All have ten days in
which to appeal to the district court
but none have evidenced their inten-
tion to do so except Mr.. Southwick-
This gentleman appeared at the
court this morning for his son and
dLIeT taking TO Lne gaSOllne ponce
man and learning the facts in the case
pleaded guilty before the Judge. When
handed the customary fine of $25 he
became quite perturbed and began
lengthy argument with Mr.. Urmy. He
was very indignant that he and his
boys, reputed careful drivers, who
have driven more than $4,000 miles
without a single accident to anyone
or single fine should be classed with
the reckless colored drivers who drive
for other owners, or with those own
erS who are known to be careless. The
case of Watson was cited as a case
of a fast driver. and known to be so
who when he appealed his case to
the fine reMitted. If Watson could
get away why not others who are
careful and it is likely Mr.. Southwick
will appeal But as he sat down to
the judge at the reporters desk, warm
words went back and forth at a rate.
Among the hot things from Mr.. South
wick was the intinla ton that perhaps
better regulation could be effected by
the automobile vote at the next cleo
ton.
The judge entered a strong protest
trying to control his temper and ex-
planning that the city ordinance did
not mention any certain prominent
bankers or others who should be
immune from t1e fines to be imposed, !
neither did it, stipulate that any in
vestigation should be made as to how
far a driver Had driven without ac-
cident nor how careful he was, but it
did state, and that only, that anyone
exceeding the speed limit as pre-
scribed should be fined from to SO |
dollars and he as judge was merely |
doing his duty to the best of his
ability. The ordinance was read and
the conversation continued in a calmer
tone.
on 10 Q
miles. which to a cheaper machine is
almost 5n inpossibility as cutting |
down the engine to that speed will |
often choke it to death. The hope of |
owners who are now so numerous and |
prominent in the city, will combine in |
an endeavor to have the ordinance
changed so as to allow a reasonable |
rate If speed.
Yetthey can never hope to be allowed |
to run twenty and thirty miles an hour |
which they take the liberty of doing !
wheA they see a smooth piece OF paving |
ahesd Many complaints have been |
sent into the police station concerning |
automobiles which would indicate that |
the lives of men, women and children
a~4 in imminent danger every day in |
cr5ssing> the street. Child drivers are |
atother dangerous permissal which |
sTould be abolished according to the |
rslice Judge and the chief of police. |
Ffhe Hill boy arrested last evening was !
irivers guide the big machines around |
the streets who are really incompetent |
20 manage the autos in a pinch
Judge ITrmy, when the autoists first |
began to be brought in. fined then s., |
then after months and many fines |
which were laughed at he began to feel |
that SO would secure better results. |
still they did not hinder the drivers /
materially but the judge would not
break over the mark until very re- |
Gently when it seemed that something
had to be done and he set about the |
sos fines. Now the fines are felt even
nv those who can afford automobiles |
and the Judge is being censored for en- |
forcing the ordinance 1t is we'll to re
member that the ordinance permits |
him to double the largest fine yet i'm
nosed and he might do it.
seVVhether a man comes in here wear |
ing overalls. and with lime on his |
boots or comes in dressed in broad !
10th I consider him to have equal
rights before the law and the enforce.
ment in TINS coure et,. WI +Ie he Sra, sme Saiie
What a picture; policeman and an