The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-31
WAGON MEN UNITE
TO FIGHT RULING
Order for Lights Becomes
Effective at Midnight.
ANOTHER HEARING IS ASKED
Principal Delivery Companies of
District VIII Contest Cases in PO-
lice Court Unless Comnli ssiOners
Set Aside Regulation which Is
Claimed TO Be UneaIIed For.

Declaring that the edict OF Commis-
soner Rudolph placing the new vehicle
lighting regulation into effect at mid
night tonight to be not only uncalled for.
hui unjust in that it is certain 10 cripple
the delivery forces Of the city, owners
and managers Of transfer and express
companies yesterday rose up in arms.
Following the announcement that the
order had been issued BY Commissioners
Rudolph, representatives OF several of the
larger companies held conference which
resulted in unanimous decision to fight
the matter m Police Court If their re-
quest for a further hearing upon the
regulation is not granted
Rushed by the unusual demands or the
holiday season. the delivery men declare
that they have had no opportunity 10
equip their wagons and trucks with any
sort Of lights, and that IL viii be i'm
possible To comply with the regulation
FOR some time. 4 request has been Tor
warded TO the individual Commissioners
and also TO the board BY three OF he
largest companies in Washington, but no
reply has been given the communion
lions.
-
II the Commissioners intend TO take
any action on the requests Of the le-
livery men. it VIII have to come to-day.
Commissioner Johnston is in New York.
and Commissioner Rudolph. acting head
OF the board. issued no statement yes
terday as TO the probable course Of the
board.
Although practically all the business
men using delivery wagons have united
TO oppose the new regulation, the firms
OF IIttleheld. Alvord & Co, the George
W. Knox Express Company, and the Mer-
chants Transfer and Storage Company
have been most active in the night, Each
firm has petitioned the Commissioners for
a reh5aring on the regulation. and pend
ing a decision of the conference, have
asked the uonenforcement of the rule for
thirty days.
The Commissioners take the stand that
the regulation was promulgated under sec
ton 10 of the act of Congress, which
gives them power 10 regulate the move
ments OF vehicles on the public streets
and avenues for the preservation OF order
and protection OF life and limb" To JUS
tify their action, "A request was made OF
Hack Inspector Dawson 10 compile list
OF accidents which have occurred through
absence of lights on horse-drawn vehicles
Summary of Accidents.
Mr. Dawson's report stated that from
November, 1903. TO october 81 1910, there
were between the hours of $50 p. m. ana
a. m., SO accidents. OF these . were
between automobiles and horse-drawn We
hicles and four between horse-drawn We
hicles As a result Of the accidents. three
persons were injured sufficiently to re-
quire hospital treatment, and two horses
were killed
Commenting upon the report. the trans
fer owners and managers declare that II
in itself shows the uselessness OF the
regulation. They point out that in the
collisions between hoTse-draWn vehicles
there We're no injuries 10 man or beast
and that in the other division, two OF the
three accidents were injuries resulted
occurred on the Speedway, and could
properly be laid 10 joy riders in autos.
The following statements were made:
The demand Of the Commissioners Is unreason-
able My hm has Do wagons, most Of them con
stantly in use To make the Hecszry changes 70
comply with the regulation VIII take Us AZ least a
month II the ordinance is enforced Monday We
viii have so drivers m the Police COUJ--E. 5,
Alv1rd, Of Ilttieied. Ahord & Go.
We haze been unable 10 eauip our wagons with
lamps on account Of the Christmas rush. We have
ASKED the Commissioner 70 give US a month 70
rFepare oFrseiyes. II our request is not granted
supposa viii have 70 fight it OUT in the Police
Court--W. S. Knox. Of the George ". Knox Ia
press Company.
We intend 10 contest the regulation. We want
better lighted streets not ordinance which VIII
expose oar barns and stables to a constant danger
Of fire IN the handling OF lanterns II the hands Of
cur employees. John l. NeWbod. president Mer-
chants Transfer and Storage Company.