Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-07-14
ALDERMEN HOL0 UP
AUTOMOBILE MEASURE
Common Councils Action Not Con-
CURED IN, and Conference
Requested.
AuToIsTs TURN OUT m FORCE
Headed by Mr.. Barrett, Machine Own
ers Appear Before Board and Reg
lister strenuous Protest Against
Various provisions of Ordinance
Vain Attempt 10 Revive Annexation.

Decided opposition en- the part OF
many OF the automobile owners of the
city TO practically every section OF
Councilman Fellows automobile or
dinance developed last night when the
beard cf aldermen took up the con-
sideratiop Of that measure. aud, AFTER
herring the objections OF on'y one OF
the numerous owners present, inc
beard unanimously adopted resolu-
ton refusing to concur and asking tbs
ccmmcn council to appoint a confer
4, .enee committee to act with commit
tee cf three from the upper branch
In revising the measure. Vice-presi-
dent Caleb ID. West appointed Messrs.
KeIlmm. helms and Read the COM
mittee from the board.
About twenty owners of automI' lies
met at the Newport hotel yesterday
afternoon and decided TO appear be-
fore the board to oppose the adoption
CT the ordinance. Sometime before
the hour set for the meeting Ct the
board, the owners began arriving at
the city hall In their machines and
some OF the aldermen. who were sit
ting on the city hall lawn began won
dering what was coming Off
Would Increase Speed Limit.
The automobiiists took seats In the
Jury box in the Corporation Court
room, where the meeting was held. and
when the board tcok up the ordinance.
Mr.. w. f. Barrett, who acted as
spokesman for the visitors. asked that
he and others be heard Before he
IT,
moved TO amend the ordinance so as
to increase the speed limit TO fifteen
miles an hour, instead OF twelve. and
to fix iine Of not less than $40 nor
more than $2s for the third violation
Of the speed limit section OF the
measure
mr. Barrett then was given the
privilege OF the floor and he pointed
out those features of the measure that
are Objectionable TO the owners of ma
chimes. In the first place he said that
there IS decided objection to that
feature OF the measure which leaves
X to the discretion of the chief or
paifee as to who he will grant per-
nit TO run machine. The speaker
pointed cut that every citizen has n
frtAt W VWb ott autofitDut anu tudl
to refuse to grant citizen the right
to run a machine would be confiscating
his property. He made the same OBJ
lection to the section that requires
that for the third violation OF the
speed ordinance within one year the
permit to run the machine be revok-
ed and not issued again for a period
OF six months.
Continuing, Mr.. Barrett said that
the owners do not think that II would
be q wise policy to require non resi-
dents who keep their machine In this
city for mors than 70 hours to pay
81 for permit He pointed out that
this would apply TO Hampton people
as well as those from more distant
cities. The speaker also said that he
did not think that visitors to Newport
News who bring their machines
should be made to pay for a permit
unless they remain in the city more
than ten days. Visiting automobile
owners. he said. should be encouraged
to come here rs much as any other
visitor Is encouraged.
In conclusion. Mr. Barrett requested
that Messrs. Eddie Dennie and w. s.
: Greene DO heard on the subject, but
Mr.. KeIlum moved that the board re-
fuse to concur Mr.. Read immediate
" withdrew his amendment and sug-
gessed that Mr.. Kellum include in HIS
motion the appointment of confer
ence committee to revise the measure.
MT. kellum accepted the suggestion
and the motion was unanimously
adopted without further discussion.
Wouldn't Consider Annexation Matter.
Mr.. Keilum made several unsuc-
cessful attempts TO bring up the old
annexation resolution. which was pre-
selfed many months ago and later
dropped because the councilmen were
unable to agree on the territory 10 be
annexed.
First Mr.. KeliHm tried 10 bring the
resolution up as new business. but
Vice-pTesideut West ruled II out Of or
der Then be moved to take the mat
ter OF the table. but was Informed
that this could not be done as the
measure should he taken M BY the
lower branch Finally be offered .he
resolution at the roll call and moved
that ]; be taken up under a suspen-
sion OF the rules. The ordinance was
read for the benefit Of some Of the
new members and then the vote on
the motion TO suspend the rules was
taken The motion was lost. three to
four. the members voting a. follows:
Aves-keIium. Lcngan. Petzold. Yves
sons Nays-Nelns. Read. West.
Warts Funds For PARKS.
MI. Abe Horwitz. representing the
Merchants Association. appeared be-
fore the board and asked FOR an an.
pro3riation Of $3.50 Tor the main,en.
ance 81 Washington and circuit
sqnares He said that the association
c,c not have enough money 10 keen
the parks M the remainder of fhe