The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-18
|AUTO|sTs 60 FREE
IN POLICE COURT
Justice Crutchfleld Dismisses
All Cases With Stern
Warning
ALLEGED SPEEDlSTS
GIVE THEIR VIEWS
One Says Machine is No Good if
"A Man is Not Allowed
to Speed a
Little"

| cAoHS WnOm were number OF
trrcnfnent --cftfxsnS or Richmond,
raigned In Police Court on the charge
Of exceeding the speed limit.
There seems TO be q thorough mis-
understanding about this matter, .
said Justice Crutchfield. disnaissins
the cases. but l want IL distinctly
understood that the ordinance viii
I continue to be enforced
And i want 1t understood fur
ther." added the court. that the
reading Of the police speedometers
| VIII be accepted hereafter whenever
there - any dispute as to how fast
an automobile II going"
Justice Crutchfield thought IL would
be good idea for every automohtlfst
10 have speedometer regulated In
according with those used by the po-
lice.
Friends of the autoists and other
curicus persons packed the court
room when the cases were called at
1859 o'ciock. Outside the city Hall
building more than a dozen big honk
monk wagons were lined up along the
street
Obic<4 TO Spies. ].
In order that all the possible light
might be thrown on the matter. Jus
!
hearing to any Of the autoists caring
to air their views on the speed ques-
ton. HAIR dozen or more autoists
awaiting themselves OF the opportuni-
~, came forward in succession and
expressed their views
Mr.. T. c. Williams, Jr. addressing
the court, voiced objection to the sys-
tenn which allowed plain clothes men
70 act AZ spies" In running down
and reporting autonsobiitsts
To this Police Commissioner Cor
don took quick exception, declaring
that 4 was esninentiy proper that the
police should don their uniforms in
the prosecution OF such work -
General Charles =. Anderson. who
retired from the Office Of Adjutant
General Of Virginia several DAYS ago.
came forward. tall and stately, with
true military bearing
Il am IN automobiles only by
courtesy. he told the court. in tones
modest, but firm.
But you've get enc In the family,
haven't youg" querfed Justice crufch-
field. mindful that the generals
brother was among those on his
docket book
That's true" assented General
Anderson.
Il thought So" said the court
General Anderson then went on to
protest against the custom practiced
by the police of reporting automo-
bilists for speeding, instead OF making
arrests on the spot. AZ in case Of other
violations of the law.
1T seems to me-" he said, that
II an autotst Is endangering life he
should be arrested right there. In or
der that danger might be averted
without delay, A. II Is a man does
not know until some time afterward
that he has been reported and must
appear In court"
Have you~an objection to coming
to COURT" interrupted Justice
Crutchneld. ~ General Anderson pro-
ceedcd
mot at ALL" answered the general,
If properly summoned. explaining
that the ordinance did not provide for
the arrest OF speeders. 1t merely re-
qutred that they be reported and noti-
Ned later. he said. These are not
which arrests must be made" explain
ed the commissioner. they are merely
violations Of the city ordinance"
Mr.. Victor williams. small and short
OF statue, formed striking contrast
to General Anderson as ne followed
the latter In = brief address to the
court
III ! man can't speed iittie." he
said. In voice audible only a few
an automobile"
Mr.. williams was proceeding along
this line when the court suggcsted
that he get . speedometer and regu-
late Il to the poi:Se speedometers
Wanted T1scsn Warned.
Police Commissioner chris Manning,
Jr.. asked the court to dismiss tbs
Autolsts with Q caution TO be more
careful In thefutpre
with costs. did you say,.' inter-
rogated Justice Crutchfieid, putting HIS
hand 70 his ear. being . little hard
Of hearing.
with caution. said" answered the
police COMMISSIONER. speaking louder.
oh. understand" observed the
court. M
Commissioner Gordon, again al
dressing the court. said that II was
not the intention of the police 10 hold
Rntoisfs strictly responsible. exceys
Aicnx the crcwdeh business sectipns,
within reasonable bounds In other
Justice Crutchneid then let II be
known that he had No desire to Inn
pose the regular fne Of $50 on the
Autcista He accordingly dismissed all
The cares. With . stSrn warning against
future tiolattona.
stated that he had been In an auto
but twice In his life. having . natural
Antipathy for such vehtclss. MI avoid
The things" he satI. s~peoau1e I am
alwayss afraid th0y might run over q
shiid while am IN one OF them.
Ruling Applies 10 An
Justice Crutchfold announcV1 that