The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-20
Twelve Miles an Hour on Kansas
Avenue Loosens Old Limits.
MAXIMUM FINE is S25
A Fairer City Law Easier to
Enforce.
Many Other Changes Provided
i'm the New Ordinance.

other night that will, if passed, make
change In the speed limits in this
! city, also reduce the police court fines
! and make autoing more a pleasure
than a luxury. The ordinance was
| introduced by Councilman Horn, the
only member of the city council who
owns an automobile, and one of the
free thinkers" of the council cham
oer
The ordinance provides for a twelve
mile an hour limit on Kansas avenue
instead of an eight mile an hour law.
This is to be enforced on Kansas ave
nue., from Tenth street on the south
side to Gordon street on the other
side of the river. 1t also applies to
Sixth street between Quincy and Jack
son streets and Thirteenth street be-
tween Buchanan and Lane. The rest
of the city will be left open for the
motorists at a twenty mile an hour
clip with slow down of twelve miles
or speed of eight miles an hour
for an eight hour limit on Kansas
avenue and a fifteen mile speed on the
reSid ence streets.
The old law has been in effect for
some time but due to the recent pur-
chase of a motor cycle by the police
department and the installation of a
mounted police force followed by the
capturing and filming of several of the
most prominent motorists in the city
the Topeka Motor league has followed
the advice of several of their members
and approved the ordinance as stated
above.
There are a few other changes from
the original ordinance that will affect
the automobile enthusiasts as well as
the receipts at the police station The
above law applies to everyone who
owns an automobile, motorcycle, loco
mobile, etc, except a member of the
police department on duty or physi-
clan or surgeon who is on urgent
business. Then there is another ex-
ception that is of great interest to the
Motor, league. All test cars and
demonstrating cars Will be free from
the clutches of the law If they use
their little boundaries between the
end of the city limits and the south
line of Tenth street on Kansas avenue.
This is the favorite speeding ground
in the city and it is. customary for an
agent or manufacturer to take his
car on this strip of pavement and
make it go through its actions for the
benefit of the supposed buyer who
lclings to the hand holds with one hand
and his hat with the other.
The new ordinance will cause a new
humber system on the rear of the cars.
The old numbers were collapsible affa1rs
and they have been tied any place from
the rear axle to the head of the cyHn-
ders-it did not make much difference
This new ordinance says that the 'iden-
shall have the word To
peka'' printed upon them together with
the number.
The maximum fine is $25. This re-
duces it from the original sum of $50
which has been turned over many times
in the last few weeks by the auto own
eFs@to the police judge. There is one
dnesof $50 however, that applies to BIZ
cycle or motor races. This is one of the
worst crimes that can be performed by
a driver of a car or a bicycle. The f1ne
clause is one of the most interesting
70 a mr.
the ordinance will be fought with steam.
Still another clause provides for sin
gle number to be used by manufactur-
ers or agents on cars. That is-they are
to have the one number to use on their
cars Formerly it was necessary to have
a bunch of numbers for them or else
send out one at a time. This will in
terest the agents.
When the ordinance came up last
night it was referred at once to the po-
lice committee. Mayor Green said this
that he was in favor of sending
it to the streets and walks committee
but someone had the presence OF NINA
first.
whole proposition. Chief Eaton said
last night that they might as we'll turn
the autoists loose as let them nave an
ordinance like that. 1t gives them al |
together too much liberty according to !
his version The police committee is |
of the same mind as the
chief OF ponce ana Unless lHSIe 10 a lC-
action of some sort it looks as though |
he ordinance would fall-and still there
are several members of the city council
who are going to fight for the new or
linance with all their power and they
are strong men in the council today.
rhe fact of it is the old ordinance needs
-eviSing.
The police committee will make their
-eport on it at the next meeting of the
council and it will be taken up and dis
,ussed at that time. It is expected that
t will bring out as big a crowd and as
Zig a fight as the street naming propo-
;ition.
1t has been found through a thorough
est on the part of a number of auto
mobile users in the city that it is al
most impossible to drive a car at the
ate of eight miles an hour in comph-
snce with the old law. 1t is doubtful 4
f any automobile in the city goes down
Kansas avenue at a rate of eight miles Il
IN hour. Unless under "Slow speed an
must be regulated by an ex-
1erienced man to drop to eight miles
in hour-and "slow speed" would ruin
| good car in a few weeks.
Several, who have been opposed to the
light mile law, point to the laws used Il
n Kansas City and other cities of that
ize 1t must be pointed out again that
Kansas avenue in Topeka is one of the
widest streets in the world and the traf-
lc compared with the constant conges-
ion in Kansas City can not be used as
comparison.