Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-23
AUTOMOBILE BoARD IN Sc 551or

'iit phiSt VI taItiAItStl
ford in the District building. at o'clock
Before any one can be examined he must
i'll out an application blank with the
secretary of the board who is in the per
init room, directly next to that of Mr.
Ashford. In the operation of this step
the applicant will most likely meet Harry
Brooks the clerk of the office. Mr..
Brooks bears strongly marked on his
countenance the scars of many battles
in repartee, but is still ready to meet
the newcomer in an agreeable manner.
lie passes out the blank which is to be
filled.
Driver or owner?'' Mr. Brooks does
not waste any words.
His instruction will vary according to
the answer of the applicant. An owner
needs only to fill out the blank. stating
the length of time he has had actual ex-
perience In driving a car, which must
not be less than two weeks, the make OF
his machine, and then sign his name. If
he is going to drive for some one else,
however, he must, in addition. obtain the
signatures of three citizens on his APP
plication, who vouch for his moral
character This same course has to be
followed when seeking a permit for a
motorcycle, even though the rider is also
the owner This is because the motor
cycle is considered more dangerous than
the automombile crowded streets. For
that reason the rider has to be more
fully vouched for than the owner of an
automobile.
The application signed. it remains
with the applicant whether or not he
will leave the blank with the clerk. There
is less red tape attached to the securing
of permit TO run machine or motor
cycle than there is to many other things,
and after the blank is filled out properly
there is nothing to do but wait until
the evening of the next examination.
All those blanks left with Mr.. Woodward
are arranged alphabetically, and the
names of the applicant, together with the
make of the machine, is written on an
index card and filed. When an owner
has secured the number for his car that
also is added 10 his card. In this way the
members of the force in Mr.. Woodwards
room have less strenuous work than
when the entire lot of applications have
to be copied the day after the examina-
ton. So far as the age limit is concern
ed, that is left to the automobile board.
Most of the applicants are eighteen or.
over. but If a boy under that age applies
TO be examined they have to be fully con-
WINGED of his ability, and especially of his
trustworthiness, before they will grant
the permit.
On the evening of the examination
there is usually a long line awaiting
their turn. AS they come in the building
they met by the officer on watch at
examinations are conducted on the main
entrance floor. Each applicant must have
his application blank with him or he can
not be examined. When the automobile
board commences work 1T does not take
them long to finish with long line of
walters. Each member takes an appli
cant
DO you know the rules of the road?"
Yes is the answer the majority of
times
"Who has the right of way?"
Those going north and SOUTH" this
possibly after moments hesitation.
when meeting anybody on the road,
to which side do you pass?"
Right"
Following any one and passing them,
to which side do you go?"
Left" These two last questions are
answered readily as a rule.
Then follow questions and answers
concerning the speed regulations in the
District. This is practically the whole of
the examination. The applicant is asked
what kind of a machine he has, or will
operate. His answer closes the subject
unless he says he is running steam
Locomobile, when he has to show his
familiarity with the workings of that
machine.