The Washington herald., 1910-11-24


The first aggressive. step toward pro-
curing a modification Of the regulation
requiring lights on vehicles as pronul-
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
10 prevent accident. A petition was pre-
pared and signed. reciting the burden and
hardship which the regulation win i'm
poEe upon business interests and prob
ably VIII be presented to the Commits
soners by 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 conclu-
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 10
vehicles whether hOTse-draWn or other
wise. but only where it is necessary 10
prevent accident.
I'VE 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 10 the require
inent OF tags as being an unnecessary
expense"
The fact that rubber-tired vehicles
were excluded from the resolution drew
protest from certain liverymen pres
ent, who pointed out that runabouts
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
hlcle is not less noisy than others, il
was stated. and consequently its excIu-
sion from the resolution had no good
foundation
In the discussion Of the afternoon
Thomas w. Smith, W. s. Knox. P. T.
Moran Jackson RalstOn, and others were
the leaders. Drastic criticism OF the
Commissioners was carefully avoided.
but it was plainly asserted that If some
modification OF the law were not obtained
IN the near future the fight would be
carried 10 Congress
i. 7. Moran pointed out the danger of
lighting hay wagons at night and PRO
posed that 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
tnere was no new phase of the question
opened. The petition, which is substan-
tally the same in wording as the resoiu-
ton given above. contains the signatures
Of some of the most prominent business
houses in the city.
Represented at Meeting.
The following are the business houses
which were represented at the meeting
with the number of vehicles which would
be affected in each case:
7. r. Moran. draws. Schneider Baking Com
rany. S; White Oaks Coal Comrauy 50, Cr1Te Lime
and Coal Company 5; New Washington Brick Com
rany. %; a. 7. Tea Company 8; II. T.. Pishury.
p i. L. Coon 10; Philips & Jueneman. 3. q.
H. Irundie- 10; J. " Preston, livery, 800 W. b.
Moses & sons %; Iittledeld Alyord & Co 500.
= Edward Chapman, 40; George W. Knox ExUress
Company. $50: J. Maury Dove. g.; ". ". tirif
nth, 90 Hoge q Mcdowell II: T. A. Steele. 30;
The Manhattan. Toman. Elite Yale Model Cong
ers, aud Frazee-Pot0mac hundries l25. II NJ
Ihrocbman, :; NJ b. NfayieId II. C'rsig's Fxrress
10. Stewart & Co.. g. Cudahy Packing Comranv S:
X. J. n. e.. Grace. %; Washington Brick and
Terra Gotta Works, % f. +. May Hardware Com.
nahN o. BUT Br,s., 80; j. ]. Connolly 6: Liuger
Bros. 10; Mount Vernon Stables co, Robinson Sfs
bles G. 4. Thompson. %: Bowen and Cairo stables
100; g. W. Barnes g; J. W. Beau, 60; c. Berg
dorf. l5oi Potomac sand Company and Gravel Com
lany -; q. W. CisSe e White Cross Milk Com
lany, .; Julius LansbUrgh Company 9; W. T.
Gaillher Bros. IS; W J. Hoteman. g. AIer.
r-anl.- Irau.---- -nl 49,. 60 ~