The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-09-03
Lloyd c. Griscom Convicted of Reckless Driving and
 Fined in City Court
Appeal Entered Under Cash Bond of $75- Diplomat Sure Officer Was Mistak- en that He Was Going 30 Miles Per Hour~ All Through Black Rock and West End

Judge Foster of the City court placed more dependence upon the readings of Special Policeman Clifford Gorgas' speedometer than upon the sworn test imony of Former Ambassador I4i1yd c. Griscon, when the statesman was arraigned in the city court today for reckless automobile driving last Sat urday afternoon.
 Represented by Attorneys E. Bart lett and F. D. Keeler Grisoom plead ed not guilty and declared the officer was mistaken. When Judge Foster imposed a fine of $15 and costs, he promptly appealed, posting s75 in cash to insure his appearance in the court of common pleas
 It was case of one mans word against another's, Gorgas swore that he pursued Grtscon from CourtIand avenue, the first street east of Ash Creek bridge, to Clinton avenue, and until GSriscom slowed for a piece of torn up roadway, the speedometer of miles per hour.
 t'The officer is mistaken declared Gr1scom. T slowhd whenever I met a team and when I reached the settle ments on the way into town I slowed.
 Gorgas was the first and only wit ness for the state. When he had told of following Griscom's party, he was questioned as to the traffic conditions. From the railroad to Clinton avenue he said there were several teams, an automobile standing at the Bridgeport rower than west of the tracks. Gris- com's machine held to the middle of the road, he testified
 Attorney Bartlett asked a few quest ions in cross examination tending to show that no one was inperil1ed by the driving of the car, and then ask ed that the accused be discharged.
 'The fact that the car was running more than 25 miles an hour throws the burden of proof that such speed was not reckless upon the accused announced Judge Foster.
 Then Mir. Griscom was called to the stand
 He admitted that he was hIrrying into the city to catch a train. But he said tho officer was mistaken in de- c1aring his speed was at all. time more than 30 miles per hour. He was not clear in his remembrance as to the number of teams or machines he pass ed but could not recall having seen a single pedestrian on the roadway.
 eff I were to tell you that the of fcr's testimony that you never were going less than 30 miles per hour is based upon his actual racing Of his tested every day would you then ad- init that the officer might be correct in his testimony" quer1ed Prosecutor Delaney, who was apparently deter
 q would still say that the officer is mistaken declared Griscom.
 at G Grisconfs Eas refutation of his testi- rnony, and he then said for the first time that Grisconl's chauffeur, who made, stood up in the seat and looked back at him when the chase first began.
 this, and said the first he knew of being pursued was when Gorgas shot past him at Clinton avenue as he brought his car down, and held up his arm disclosing a police shield He at once brought the car to a stand.
 s'Why didn't you stop him before?" demanded Attorney Bartlett.
 if he had slowed down to 20 miles an hour. I let him run an eighth of a n1ile.''
 miles per hour for an eighth of mile as prirna facie evidence of reckless ness.
 Judge Foster summarizing the case, said the attitude of MT. Grfscom in bringing the car to a prompt stop, the fact that in the car were his own peop1e-the testimony was that the car Griscom's mother and another wo- rnan,-whon he might not be expect ed to imperil, should be taken into consideration in disposing of the case:
 Judge Foster significantly observed that the speed at which MT. Griscom was travelling west of the Lviaduct cumstances, but the high rate of speed east of the viaduct where the road was narrow was what he had under consideration.
 He found Griscom guilty, and or dered him to pay a fine of S15 and costs. The former ambassador retired with his attorneys, and at once posted the $75 fixed as an appeal bond with Clerk George R. Burnes.
 MIR. MILLER WILL