Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-24
REGULATE THE AUTO
 WARNING SIGNAL
Sidney S. eorham, the Chicago Auto mobile Expert. Tells the Good Roads Convention at Richmond How His Home City is Solving the Warning Signal Problem.

Richmond. Va, Nov. 2S.-At the Good Roads day meeting in session here under the auspices of the Tour ing Club of America, Sidney $. Cor ham. the automobile legal expert of Chicago, spoke of the good roads out look in Illinois and in especial of what Chicago IS doing to solve the auto
 mobile warning sisnal problem. MT. Gorhams statements were a marked surprise to his hearers. and the facts he detailed created no small interest He said in part:
 The warning signal has been the subject of little criticism and it is urged that it's use in cities should be regulated and it's unnecessary use prohibited. To my mind one of the most important public safeguards is found in the proper use of an ade- ouate warning signal and in the inter est If 5ll concerned every mOtorist should studiousIy avoid making any unnecessary noise with the signal with which his car is equipped. or using it except in cases where it's use is plain 1y necessary.
 Ut will not be disputed that the inadequate warning signal wholly fails to serve the purpose for which il was intended; that the adequate signal must be dependable; loud enough to be heard above the rattle of surround ing traffic: it must be harsh, abrupt. and of such tone as to instantly convey The idea of immediate dan ger.
 T have heard # argued earnestly and with undoubted sincerity that the use of warning signals i1 cities should be prohibited. but I confess that I am unable to follow the reasoning of those who take this position. It frequently happens that without fault on the part of the motorist a situation sud denly arises which demands the in- stant and active cooperation of the driver of a motor car and the person in danger. if serious injury is to be aVerted, and in such cases an ade- ouate warning signal must be used promptly anG it's tone should be SO startling as to compel immediate at tention.
 After weeks of careful. painstalzing consideration of the subject. the mem bers of the judiciary committee of the city council of the city of Chicago, all lawyers of experience and recog- nized ability. have recommended for passage an ordinance which contains among other provisions a prohibition against the use warning signal of any device which will not produce an abrupt sound sufficiently loud to serve IS an adequate warning of dan ger. This section also provides that fl shall be unlawful for the operator of any motor vehicle to make or cause to be made any unnecessary noise with his signal device, or to use it except q warning of danger.
 50 far I know this Is the first instance in which q legislative body has recognized the importance and required the use of a signal which will produce an abrupt sound, and the ordinance as drafted impresses me offering a sane solution of the unnec essary noise problem so far warn ing signals in use upon motor cars are concerned.
 We have Tn a large measure solved the registration and speed problems, but we are still in the constructive period of motor car legislation. and we should all use our best endeavors to avoid arousing hostile public opinion concerning these other questions which yet remain unsolved."