Evening star., 1911-08-27

character. Many citizens are now bit
terly complaining of the activity on the
part of the sheriff and his aids. and are
beginning to tire of the publicity which is
being given that section On the other
hand, the motorists a-e disgusted at the
methods pursued in catching alleged
speeders. Hardly a day passes by with
out the writer receiving . request for
route "omitting Rockville and vicinity
from it.
Efforts are now under way 10 break up
the speed traps IN this section Of the
country, and it is predicted that IN the
near future the one at Rockville will
cease to oe menace TO the motorist-
When that time comes the roads will
be again patronized and business re-
sunned along the line. The state OF New
Jersey started out in the early history
OF the automobile TO establish speed
traps but they were soon broken up
and it is a rare thing TO lind one any
where in the state. SIMILAR ones were
in operation in New Yoth, the same dis
astrous result taking place after strenu-
Gus protests were made BY the citizens.
who after all were the ones really affect
ed by their establishment.
Out IN ST. Louis there is much contro-
versy over the maintenance of speed
traps in the vicinity OF that city and
the Automobile Club OF ST. Louis is ac-
lively engaged in nghting them That
club, like all other clubs, has taken
stand against lawless ana reckless driv-
ing and in no way would sanction the
violating of the law, neither viii 1t sane
tion or tolerate the prosecution of its
members BY unjust arrests and fines by
county officers Out there they have laid
out speed traps OF a half-rnile dis
tance, and arresting motorists for ex-
ceedins the speed limit. Speed for one
half of a mile IS only prima facie evil
dence, il is claimed. \ driver may be
going al the rate OF thirty miles an houI
| in that given space and yet not be ex-
/ ceeding the speed limit Automobliists
| have been advised by St Louis club OFF,
\ cials TO remember this and not give up
| their fines TO the justices of the peace. but
| to appeal their cases. This might be
\ a good point for local motorists TO re-
| member The St. Louis club has re-
/ Gently placed two motor cyclists at the
/ speed traps" to have as witnesses.
Such step has been taken in the
/ state of Maryland by the Automobile
| Club Of Maryland. Two men. mounted
/ on motor cycles, are attired in khaki uni
\ forms with chevrons on the right arm
/ bearing the lettering "a. c. VI. These
| men are sent out every Sunday and
/ every holiday in the vicinity of a
| speed trap 10 warn motorists of its
/ existence. only recently trap was
/ located in Ihe trees at Elkridge. Md.
i The trap was soon broken up and now
/ motorists 90 by unmolested The
i Touring Club of America, one of the
! most active Of its kind in this coun-
/ try, has been most successful in its
| crusade against speed traps in vari-
| Gus sections
| The local branch of the club is now
| engaged in a similar task in this vicin-
| ity. Last Sunday officials OF the local
| branch in an automobile journeyed ont
| to Rockville. where the trap is located
| and as every motorist came down the
| road he was handed a card with bright
red lettering on it containing the fol-
| lowing
| "WARNING TO AUTOMOBILISTS
| SPEED TRAP AHEAD,
DRIVE WITH CAUTION
In addition the officials were pro-
| vided with two large flags. red, white
| and blue in color and bearing the let
| terS IT &. n. which were used in
signaling approaching ears. The tour
| ing club officials viii continue to do
| everything in their power to warn mo-
toriSts Of speed traps" thus protect