The Washington herald., 1909-06-14
Editor The Washington Herald:

AOA N4c ElBntS OF the autOmODlliStS-
was one Of the pioneer bicyclists here,
and remember quite well when the silent
steed' first appeared on the city streets
how they hedged US about by rules as
TO speed, lamps, bells, and the height OF
the saddle.
The bicycle craze has died out, and We
can see in retrospect that many Of the
rules promulgated. enforced. and later
abandoned were useless or only partly
effective, but IN most cases wrought an
unjust hardship on the wheelman The
truth is that each new mechanical in
novatiou brings with il new conditions
that the public must face before being
taught TO dispOrt itself in accordance
with the new conditions. but I see no
reason why those who introduce the
novelty should be the subject OF unjust
attacks on their rights and liberties,
while the authorities are experimenting IN
an EFFORT 70 ind regulations satisfactory
20 all.
The Right of Way.
Our courts have ruled that pedestrians
have right OF way in the streets at
crossings, but the public crosses our
streets anywhere and is indignant If
heavy vehicles jeopardize it's safety while
thus utilizing that part OF the highway
where the vehicle is legally supreme
Moreover. pedestrians are as erratic when
"honked' at as they used to be al the
tinkle OF the bicycle bell, for on hearing
the alarm they Will stop and look around.
then dodge forward as If 10 proceed. then
dodge backward as II 10 retreat, and
meanwhile put the driver az his wits end
70 know what 10 do and leave him only
the choice OF stopping-if he can DO so in
time.
Our speed regulations are doubtless
wise, and although probably a higher
limit Is permitted than In bicycle days.
we are living now in a faster era: but
the mere factor Of speed is Just as
dangerous in one vehicle as another and
ought TO be applied 70 all alike There
Is one limit for street cars. various limits
for automobiles at different points. and
practically no limit for horse-driven
vehicles unless the horse is obviously be-
lng speeded
Although understand why quiet ma
chine should have lights at the front, do
not see why an automobile must have a
light at the rear any more than a car
riage- Apparently there is some reason
why lights are required on all public
vehicles, but I cannot see that il con-
Germs the safety Of pedestrians or that a
private vehicle is less dangerous 10 life
and limb than one which is for hire Sim
ilarly, 1 can understand why a quiet
vehicle needs an audible alarm. but It (
seems almost foolish 70 require that the /
alarm shall be either a harsh ''honk" or
a discordant bell. while the soft and mu- 4
sical Gabriel horn so extensively used on I
automobiles in other cities and countries 4
is prohibited.
Wear of Streets.
AS to the wear on our streets. 1t would /
seem obvious that a rubber-tired vehicle /
Injuries them little, If any, and on our /
suburban roads what dust is sucked I'd l
as now argued in theory can hardly pro-
duce the same damage that a metallic 4
tire OF narrow width will do. especially
II the roadway is wet
The authorities are sprinklinE the roads /
with oil TO lay the dust regardless Of its
effect on tires OF rubber: while the police /
are arresting autOnObilists II they spill
oil on concrete streets. where il does no
harm. and winking al the oil between rail-
way tracks and at the deliberate daily
application OF grease 20 railway curves.
From financial standpoint. the POSI-
ton Of the automobilist is even worse.
The price Of a car is made to include
the overhead" cost in the manufacturing
plant This means that II the maker paws
5000 for a lathe to turn out a certain
part OF the automobile and makes a hun
dred machines each purchaser must pay
$50 net 20 reimburse him for the cost Of
that lathe.
Pay Price OF Patents.
So also the first few consumers nav the
price Of all patents he buys and all ex-
periments he tries. even though discarded
and some companies boast that they have
built OF enlarged their factories on the
proceeds Of the first few years of busi-
ness
Hence, the initial cost to the autono-
oilist Is excessive. and especially so In
these days Of high prices. When the ma
chine reaches the city the agents com
mission is % per cent and as soon as he
becomes an owner and driver the auto
moDil1st is considered a millionaire for
that very reason. whereas he Is usually
poorer than his nelghbor This Is shown.
for instance. in buying a tool or a part
for the machine, as the cost IS double or
treble II the purchaser acknowledges that
ne wants It for an automobile or rides I'D
In front OF the store to buy it. How far {
the prices OF other articles are enhanced
by the fact that the consumer Is seen in /
his own auto has no place in this comrnu- I
lication. !
The automobilist suffers most. however
n the attitude OF the District authorities |
oward him Like everything else, he has !
10 pay personal tax on his car. but I
rom the fact that II Is used as A luxury {
'ather than es a necessity he has 10 nav q
! higher rate OF tax. Well let that pass. 7
Next he must secure a personal permit ! a
% operate his automobile. whereas no r
me gets permit to drive a horse any c
more than he would ask permission 10 I
walk 7
Next he must license and pay for a s
ag which. Ike the poor dog must be n
'uolicly displayed in order 20 give Il the a
light to exist believe drivers OF public g
'ehicles are tagged, and there NAV be II
ONE sense in requiring that the tag be o
isplayed on The machine. although / see II
zone IN emitting TO require that CORE =
ponding tags be placed on all other We II
icles- y
Seating Capacity. p
But to crown his misery II Is now pro-
osed 70 make the automobnist pay FOR ,
he seating capacity of his machines. >
or the front seat, accommodating two 3
lus So each for every other riend who o.
an be seated. II this is not dlscriaina- G.
on against long suffering and already h
eavily burdened citizen with an indus p
y (or toy. II you PLEASED that is with us =
stay, ana IS aTording amusement and :,
leasure to thousands Of owners and N
leir friends. and a high rate Of profit 70 Z,
very one connected with the business. r,
not know what discrimination means. | CO
my tax the seating capacity OF an auto IN
loolle. already taxed and licensed and "
'stricted In all sorts OF ways, when the is
satlng capacity OF g horse-nronelled rn | v,