The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-16
STILL THINKING ApoUr 1T.

The operation of the new automobile
law in Massachusetts, is being watched
with interest in other States. One
of its most important Aprovisions is
that which makes it Enable offence
for an automobilist to disturb the
thickly settled part of any town or
city by harsh. Objectionable or unreal
like unto this. Under the law the cut
ting out of the muffler is absolutely
prohibited. The New York Sun says:
This is. indeed, one of the most try
Ing grievances inflicted upon the COM
nunity at large by inconsiderate driy-
ers. The average hillside along any
much travelled thoroughfare has been
rendered we'll nigh uninhabitable by
the muffled ~exhausts of cars whose
chauffeurs endeavor to take on high
gear AS if this were not sufficient.
there are plenty of high-rolling drivers
who cut out the muffler on level
ground. merely to fill the air with
noise and display their cars at their
grandest and gayest. If man should
set up a gatling gun in farm wagon
and drive along the highway perpetual
the nerve-raoking ordeal for minute.
Yet the banging automobile thrives
without restraint.
"a different question arises over the
matter of signals. If cars are to con-
tinue to be driven along highways at
an average speed faster than is con-
3sidered safe for the ordinary railroad
train on a highly protected right OF
way. some extraordinary signal Is
obviously needed. The power horn
sounding for all the world like To-
comotive whistle, the siren and the
singularly unprepossessing Instruments
of ear torture which emit sounds sus-
FESTIVE of acknowledgement. will un-
questionable be needed If such speed j.
ing is to continue. In short, If our
highways are to become as dangerous
as railroad tracks, the vehicles operat-
ing thereon must give Warming signals
rs loud as those of locomotives.
out II a happier time is to come in
The future. in accordance with certain
present signs, the hideous boots and
walls of the signals must disappear
along with the reckless driving
1t will be seen from these observa-
tions of the sun. the greatest OF all
our sporting contemporaries, that the
evils OF which we have made very
polite complaint in Richmond are not
peculiar to this community. The diff
ference is that in other civilized COM
rnunities the lawmakers have had suf-
ficient courage to provide by law
against the abuse of the whole people
by those who are thinking of their
own pleasure alone, without caring
for the comfort of the public. 1t IS
possibly too much to ask. or expect.
the lawmakers of Richmond to re-
gulate the automobilsts at least, we
must give them time to think about
IT." think about what every other
town in the country with any regard
for its people has thought about to
,the extent of providing means for the
,suppressiort. Of a steadily growing pub
lie NUISANCE. In Richmond many OF the
cars are run without mufflers. ant
always take the hillsides and the up
grades in the streets on the high gear
CITY Council might at least prohibi
the cutting out of the muller Prob
ably, the Automobiles would consent
to that much of concession to tn
public Then, the Council might g
go far as TO provide against the use o
siren whistles and fog horn and cor
net signals without hurting very mucl
the feelings Of any automobilist AM
with advantage to the people. 1t nigh
also insist upon a severer regulation
OF the speed of the cars, at least Il
Z the crowded streets, without depriv
+ ing the drivers of any of their inalien
able rights.
We realize that it is too much to as
Council to PAYS curfew law; but tn
other things for which we pray 70
ourselves and for 100000 other per
sons in Greater Richmond are posi-
bly within the capacity of the Council
for dealing promptly with an impor
,,tant public question. OF course,
4 Council feel that 1t will hurt any
body's feelings BY taking action nov
we would not have 1t to disturb 1t
peaceful administration. II sick me
order that the Council may not b
Hurried or worried, the survivors wi,
have the satisfaction of knowing tina
II those who shall perish could onl
have held out little longer--how muc
longer Heaven only knows.-the Com
mite on Ordinance, Charter and Re
form might have made its report.
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THE REST MAN FOR THE JON.