The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-08-10
NO SPEED LIMIT
 SET FOR AUTOS
Can Go As Fast As They Can if Driving Is Not
 Reckless
POLICE ARE DISCOURAGED

"No person shall operate motor vehicle on the public highways of this state recklessly or at a rate of speed that is not reasonable and proper, having regard to the width, traffic and use of the highway, or so as to endanger property or the life or limb of any persons" Thus reads section II of chapter 221 of the Acts of 1907 This is the law of Connecticut which proved very effective for the prosecution this morning in one case and worthless in a second Three victims fell into the meshes of the trap maintained by the police on Fairfield avenue about one quarter of mile east of the Ash creek bridge yesterday and two of the cases were Heard this morning in the city court
 Under the name of Percival H. Smith. a New Jersey man. whose car guilty to the charge of reckless driv- ing and was fined sum, which with the costs, amounted to S25.97.s Smith, accompanied by his wife. was on his way to New York from Boston and speeding at a rate of about 60 miles an hour westward on Fairfield ave nue. He slowed down to about 40 miles an hour. He was signalled to stop by the officers which he did Smith was very courteous, both at the
 
 quarters. He explained to Superin- tendent Birmingham that he had no money with him to post a bond Smith offered a. valuable gold ring which was accepted by the police. The ring had three settings, two of medium sized diamonds, and a large black pearl.
 smith last evening went to New York, but returned with his wife today in time for court. He departed after paying his fine, wishing the second victim his lot.
 The second case was in direct dis t1nction to the first, as a nolle was entered. James, J. Reynolds, a chauf- a brother of A. l.. Riker of this city, the designer of the Locomobile engine. was arrested yesterday afternoon in F'airfield avenue in. about. the place represented today by Attorney John s. Pullman who put Sergeant Hazel through a gruelling examination on the stand The road was clear when was standing on the side of the road, and the machine passed him with eight feet to spare. It was proved by the officers stop watches that the car was going at least 35 miles an hour. Not withstanding the fact that only one side of the road is available for. traf- fic at present because of repairs which are being made on the north side, and that 35 miles an hour was the speed of the automobile, the court saw fit to nolle the charge because there was no evidence that the car was not un- der control and because there was nothing to show the car was being driven recklessly. -sE
 After this decision the police feel that their efforts are in vain Ser geant Hazel was of the opinion that the people who have complained that the machines have passed their resi- dences at a rapid rate of speed do not realize the elasticity of the law, which sets no absolute limit at which a driver can travel, provided he has his ma less. z-l-eFS
 Tn third case was that of R. J. Casey, who after depositing a cash bond of s100, continued on his way to Long Branch. He telephoned Prose cutting Attorney Redden today that he would like his case continued until to- morrow. Casey covered the one eighth of a mile in eleven and three fourths seconds, but the police feel that there is no evidence against him other than that he was travelhg at fhiS excaSSiuo