The Washington herald., 1909-08-26
CAR RACING SCORED
Mt. Pleasant Resident Com
plains of Speed ManiacS.
COMMISSIONER TAKES ACTION
F. w. Fitzpatrick Writes Most Wig
orOusIy TO the Commissioners, De-
claring that AutOmObiIists Render
Fourteenth street, Near Piney
Branch, Unsafe by ReckIessness.

Declaring that Fourteenth street from
Park road out to Piney Branch road. along
which there is no walkway or pavement.
has been made a speedway by auto
mobilists and street car motormen. and
that in disregard OF all law and public
safety DRUNKEN speed manlacs in motor
ears race over that thoroughfare. F. w.
! Fitzpatrick Of 1900 Piney Branch road.
yesterday fled a vigorous protest with
the Commissioners. asking for protec-
ton.
He not only asks the speed maniacs be
made 10 conform to the regulations, but
that narrow trail or footpatb be con-
structed for pedestrians.
Commissioner Macfarland believes that
action should be taken to relieve the con-
dltions which Mr. Fitzpatrick describes.
and has begun the matter by asking the
Engineer Commissioner 20 consider what
remedy he can apply. and will also ask
that the Major and Superintendent OF
Police be asked to say what he can do
about It,
A Vigorous Protest.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick in his protest says: II
have suggestion to respectfully sub
nit. 1t concerns an important matter.
and am profoundly interested in II. is
a fellow may well be when the lives OF
his children and friends and his own de-
pend upon your decision in the premises.
Fourteenth street. from Park out
here. has become a major thoroughfare.
There is absolutely no provision for
pedestrians: they have to walk on the
tracks or in the mud
The road has become popular with au-
tomobilists. The allowed rate Of speed
for them and for street cars is excessive.
twenty miles. and is more often exceeded
than not. 1t is a speedway, and leading
to the clubs. as il does. many drivers are
eXtra-stimulated 10 wondrous efforts In
that line. I've seen them travel at fifty
miles an hour and over.
Accidents are common, and the car
company is not exempt. for some OF the
motormen are as wildly reckless as the
drunken speed maniacs in motor cars. II
is only question OF time when an ap-
palling slaughter will occur. and the Dis
trict government will be party to ii and
deserve blame for not having at least
made an effort 20 prevent what is in
eyitable under present conditions
Lower Speed Rate.
II there is no appropriation for clear
ing and maintaining al least narrow
trail OF a footpath at one side or the
other OF Fourteenth street. then reduces
the speed limit 10 the city rate, and then
enforce It. One mounted officer with sew
eral square miles OF beat is utterly pow
erless: a bicycle officer constantly on that
street. for at least awhile, might do some
good.
"Or II Il be deemed polite and COM
mendable 10 give the street over to the
automobile club and street railway. then
/ Please hurry along the macadamizing OF
Sixteenth street extended and let us
use the half of Piney Branch bridge that
is completed for driving and walking The
/ contractor can at little trouble do his
work on the other half without cutting
off that possible route for another seven
months
This is no idle plant or croak. but a
serious prayer. The conditions are intol-
cradle and can be remedied. For the au-
thorities TO remain inactive in the matter
will mean, am convinced. nothing short
Of wholesale butchery, to which the city
will be a party through contributory
negligence.
Il know that you will act, and vigor-
ously."