The Washington herald., 1911-10-29
TABON CHAUFFEURS
AT HEADQUARTERS
Motor Card Index Contains
Fund of Information.
GREAT VALUE TO THE POLICE
Auto Vehicle Numbers and License
Numbers of Drivers Given in Ad-
Mai. SyIvester's Recommended
tiOns as to Traffic Regulations.

That is a wonderful card index at po-
lice headquarters wherein Is displayed
the motor vehicle numbers and license
numbers of Chauffeurs who have been
warned of minor violations of the regu-
lations covering such offenses and which
in addition thereto gives instances
where collateral was deposited or con-
vIctions had in the police courts for
failure to comply with the speed law
and motor-vehicle requirements.
This interesting cabinet of information
was established not only with a view of
affording warnings to the careless AMI
indifferent operator. but so that the po-
lice department and judges of the court
might be informed as to who among
those enjoying or profiting by the use
OF machines in the District disregard
the legal requirements.
Meaning of Sims Law.
This facility was made necessary by
the statute known as the Sims law"
which provides: And the driver or
operator and the owner or proprietor
riding thereon or therein violating any
Of the provis ons hereof. shall, upon
conviction fer the first offense, be fined
not less than five dollars nor more than
for the second offense within one year
from the commission of the first Offense.
he fined not less than ten dollars nor
more than one hundred dollars. or be
imIrtson'd for not less than five days
a.: more than thirty days. at the discre-
tton of the court. and shall, upon con-
Niction for the third offense within one
Year from the commission Of the first
ofrnse. and for any and all subsequent
fsFf 1.a
collars nor more than two hundred
and fifty dollars and he imprisoned
in the warehouse Tor not less than
thirty days nor more than six months.
1t is doubtful if 20 per cent Of the
owr,rs and operators are aware of the
existence of these terms upon the law
hroEs. and, if collateral had not been
accepted in several cases where violations
of TIM law were CHARGED, it would be up
To he court TO determine how much of
the maximum penalty should be enforced
against those who were called 70 account
Scrutiny VIII Be Close.
The little card index case for the pre-
ceiling year will now go under a close
ruIiny, and those delinquent will stand
oIt i'll the light for the information of
,Me court, largely because of increasing
troubles thc police are having in secur-
irg d reduction Of speed on the part of
many operators at the ''interseCtng"
streets.
The law requires that the speed across
.Iutrrsecting'' streets shall be reduced 10
yight miles an hour. and around cor
Ir.rs'' to six miles an hour. When po-
lic,rnan is present, there is generally
compliance. but out OF sight is out of
IuinG. and Supt. sylvester said, in speak
ing Of the situation.
1t j. surprising to note how many
rnaufeurs and drivers fail to respect the
Law"
II the policy Of accepting collateral Is
made effective. it will throw cases into
court. and tht. results will make it very
unpleasant for many operators Of ma
chimes.
Tendency to Violation.
The police report a growing tendency
on the part of those who make up the
temporary population of the Capital to
violate the law, and, if Il change in at
tftude is taken by the legal authorities,
and cases are put to trial, those who
have been defiant" or indifferent as
to respecting the laws and reSula-
tions. need only blame themselves for
forcing condition.
Additional traffic regulations will be
recommended by Supt. sylvester, 50
that the District code will me a model,
officials believe the will be ineffective
in a degree owing to the street railway
upcration being under the Interstate Com
merce Commission. The superintendent
Of police would like to see the present
speed law superseded by a law authoriz-
ing the Commissioners to make speed
regulations as constantly changing con
dttiuns might warrant, and to secure
graded course where dealers might try
out cars for purchasers. Under the law
there is no place where demonstration
may be made as to speed.