The Washington herald., 1910-11-24

The first aggressive. step toward pro-
curing a modification Of the regulation
requiring lights on vehicles as promu-
gated by the Commissioners, was taken
by a meeting Of business men held at
the Chamber OF Commerce yesterday aft
ernoon.
With comparative unanimity a decisive
stand was taken against the compulsory
lighting of ordinary vehicles on ordi-
nary streets. except where it is necessary
20 prevent accident. A petition was pre-
pared and signed. reciting the burden and
hardship which the regulation viii i'm
pose upon business interests and prob
ably VIII be presented to the Commits
sloners by a committee OF the whole in
the near future.
John L. Newbold OF the Merchants
Transfer and Storage Company, presided
and reported 10 the meeting the eonclu-
sions reached by a special committee APP
pointed to consider the matter. A reso-
luton presented by Thomas w. Smith
was adopted, reading as follows;
Wise and Necessary.
I'VE realize and appreciate the fact
that the lighting Of vehicles is wise and
necessary. We believe this should be
done without discrimination In regard TO
vehicles whether horse-drawn or other
wise, but only where it is necessary TO
prevent accident
We therefore propose that ali rubber
tired vehicles Of every description should
be lighted on the streets. We further
propose that all vehicles of every descrip-
ton should be properly lighted If on any
unlighted highway or road outside of the
city limits.
We consider the compulsory lighting
of all ordinary vehicles on lighted streets
unnecessary. and would work a burden
and hardship upon the whole community
we are also opposed TO the require
inent OF tags as being an unnecessary
expense"
The fact that rubber-tired vehicles
were excluded from the resolution drew
q protest from certain liverymen pres
Cnt, who pointed out that mnabouts
were not provided with lights, and that
many patrons. especially women who
rent them in the late afternoon. would
probably fail 10 observe the letter OF the
regulation and thus create a constant
source of friction. The rubber-tired We
hicle is not less noisy than others, it
was stated, and consequently its exclu-
sion from the resolution had no good
foundation
In the discussion of the afternoon
Thomas W. Smith, ". s. Knox, p T
Moran, Jackson Ralston, and others were
the leaders. Drastic criticism OF the
commissioners was carefully avoided.
but il was plainly asserted that II some
modification OF the law We're not obtained
IN the near future the fight would be
carried TO Congress
Il. T. Moran pointed out the danger of
lighting hay wagons at night, and pro-
posed that a committee OF twenty-five
be appointed to wait upon the Commits
sioners.
The sentiment Of the meeting was so
unanimous that any extensive discussion
was waived, and beyond the adoption OF
resolutions and the signing of petitions
thefe was no new phase of the question
opened The petition, which is substan-
TALLY the same IN wording as the resolu-
tlon given above. contains the signatures
or some of the most prominent business
houses in the city.
Represented at Meeting.
The following are the business houses
which We're represented at the meeting,
with the number of vehicles which would
be affected in each case:
T. r. Moran. drays: Schneider Baking Com
Iany, 5; White Oaks Coal Company. 80; Grove Lime
and Coal Company. 5; New Washington Brick Com
Iany. O.; a. a +. Tea Company 8; H. T.. pillsbury.
- u. l., Coon 10; Philips a Jueneman. 3: C.
Il. Trunde, 10; ]. ". Preston livery go W b.
Moses & Sons % Iittledeld Alyord 4 Co 500:
= Edward Chapman, 40; George W. Knox ExTress
Company, 49, J, Msury Dove. e.; W. W CRIT
nth. 90 Hoge 4 Mcdowell Il r. A. Steele. 80;
The Manhattan, Toman, Elite Yale Model Cong
ers. and Frazee-Pot0mac laundrils l2y. II NJ
Ihrockman. Z; NJ r. Mayhsld Y; Craig's Exrress.
lO' Stewart & Co. g. Cudahy Packing Company. S;
r. j. N. q. Grace, %; Washington Brick and
Terra Gotta Works, % Z. +. May Hardware Com.
nany. q; Bur BrCs,, %; J. J. Connolly 6: Liurer
Bros, 10; Mount Vernon Stables 60; Robinson sta
bles g. q. Thompson. ID; Bowen and Cairo stables
100; G, ". Bsmes, 9; J. W. Bean. 60: q. Berg.
dou. 30; Potomac sand Company and Gravel Com
pany, 30 q. W. CisSel G: White Cross Milk Con-
pany, 3; Julius LansbUTgh Company. 9: " N
Gailiher Bros. IS; ". j. Hoteman 8. AIer-
rIanfsl Transf.r and otnrar. .. - - -