The Detroit times., 1911-07-31
SQUADRON
VIOLATES SPEED .
LAW, SAYS COURT !
Police Department, Coroners Nor
Ambulance Immune From opsration
of Auto Ordinance, Judge Con-
molly Rules.
Jail Terms Put Curb on speedes
and Number Of oaender q
Drops on.


stitution, the nying squadron IL vio-
lating the speed laws every day. 50
are the auto patrols, the coroners
and the various ambulances, accord
Ing to a ruling handed down BY Judge
Connolly, during the hearing of traf-
nee ordinance. violations, Monday
morning.
Aside from the fact that the ses-
sion developed the cheering fact that
automobile drivers have learned their
lesson, that the streets are not TO be
used as speedways, the judges rub
ing was the most interesting feature.
II came about through Henry Van
Leberghe, the county undertaken, be-
ing hailed to court, from driving his
automobile 22 miles an hour. He was
complained against by Motorcycle OF
ficer Tuttle. Van Leberghe, who was
accompanied by Coroners Burgess
and Rothacher, pleaded guilty.
II was hurrying to coroner's call,
said the undertaken.
I'VE came here to find out just
what our rights on the street are
broke In Coroner Rothacher. The
proposition is just this. II person
is killed on the street, the body lies
until a coroner arrives. II he Is latas
we are criticized because the body
has be enpermitred to lie In the street.
| Ii We hurry to the scene, we are
brought into court for violating the
speed law. What are we to dog"
You have no right to violate the
speed law" said Judge Connolly. II
quito agree with you that II IL UNI
pleasant to permit a body to lie in
a public tsreet. But the ordinances
not exempt you from usingthestreets.
as speedways. Neither does the ordi-
nance exempt the police department,
and the flying squadron and the auto
patrols are violating the laws every
day. The ordinance specifically states
that the police shall have the right
oftway, but II says nothing about
speed. They are bound by the speed
laws, the same as private citizens
AS matter Of fact, the flying squad
ron tears through the streets every
day, on the least provocation.. and 1t
is surprising that the machine has
not killed some people, before this"
i This ordinance was framed TO cut
down the coroners business" said
Assistant Corporation Counsel Penni-
man Being officers OF the law. Il
Il
duty to obey the law"
The argument led to discussion
OF the rights of motorcycle officers
who follow speeders and complain
against them.
asked Coroner Burgess.
Yes, they are" said the court
ANY officer can interfere In q mis-
L A., o. kA 40 .xxxI&
a wrong himself to interfere. For
instance, an officer may be compelled
to shoot burglar. Technically, ht
Is committing homicide. but he may
have been forced TO the act by q de-
sire to save the life OF some person,
whom the burglar was bent on kill
ing"
In view of all the circumstances,
Judge Connolly suspended sentence
upon Van Leberghe. Coroner Roth
acher declared that IL his ofifcers
were to be hailed into court for speed
ing, he thought officers OF the police
department should be subjected to
the same treatment, and now threat.
ems TO complain against the oficera
who comprise the flying squadron.
the first time he catches the big ma
"
The only way out OF the difficulty
seems to be an amendment TO the
ordinance that will exempt the Of
ficials. The coroners have laid the
matter before the police commission
er, who promises to take II up Mt hia
earliest convenience.
Judge Connolly's court was filed
with violators OF the trafic ordinance.
but in the entire throng there was
not one who was complained against
for real, fragrant violation OF the
law. There were no Jail sentences
and, mo fines that exceeded $50.
Bridegroom Hax Hauft pleaded
guilty to going "a miles an hour on
Forest-ave. ~
Judge" said he. I'm just mar.
ried"
"when?"
June g."
That's rather remote" said the
Judge.
Il know" was the reply, but We
haven't had our honeymoon yet"
We'll. IL you promise not TO take
(Coptinued on PAGE ID