The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-05-16

A majority of the common council
committee on ordinances, Monda,
morning. practically voted for a con
tinuation of the slaughter OF citizens
by reckless automobile drivers by re-
fusing 10 incorporate In the new
vehicle ordinance, Aid. Littlefield s
proposed measure, requiring all auto
drivers to come TO a full stop on ap-
preaching standing street cars that
are taking on or letting of passen-
gers.
Aid. John Lodge, of the First ward,
was the only member who stood out
for the Littleheld provision, and he
will bring the issue squarely before
the council Tuesday night with a
minority report, recommending that
such a clause be inserted Public SEN
timent is so strongly in favor of this
plan OF putting a stop 10 the slaughter
that IL is believed the council will not
dare ignore II.
The members OF the committee who
voted 10 cut out the Littlefield pro-
vision were: Aid Allan, chairman,
himself an automobile owner; Aid.
Hinde. BroZo, Garvey and Schultz.
Instead of requiring drivers TO stop
on approaching all standing street
cars, the majority OF the committee
favored section prepared by Assis-
tant Corporation Counsel Lawson as
a substitute. compelling all drivers
TO keep six feet clear OF the running
board OF a street car in passing the
latter. and, where II is impossible TO
comply with that rule TO bring their
cars to a stop. This would make II
necessary 10 stop on all the narrow
streets where there are street car
lines, but would permit the slaughter
TO go on on Woodward, Jefferson.
Michigan, Grand River and certain
portions OF Gratiot-ave., the very
streets where stringent regulation
is most needed The substitute was
strongly favored by Police Commits.
sioner Croul and Aid. Allan.
City Clerk Nichols called attention
10 the fact that the six-foot regula-
ton had been on the books for two
years and had never been enforced.
In fact, the commissioners had pab'
licly declared that he could not en-
force II. Mr.. Nichols predicted that
the commissioner would meet with
no better success II II were incorpor-
ated In the present ordinance.
Then the commissioner, uncon-
sciously perhaps, paid a high compli-
ment TO the Littlefield ordinance.
The agitation over the Littlefield
ordinance has had mighty good ef'
feet on the conduct of the drivers"
said he They are all growing more
careful. Ny men are doing good
work, too. | have no less than 200
complaints against auto drivers and
there are some OF our best citizens in
the list"
Aid. Garvey moved that the substi.
tute section stand and the motion was
supported Aid. Lodge moved as an
amendment that the Littlefeld pro-
vision be inserted, but there was no
support and the amendment was not
put 10 vote.
Aid. Lodge declared that the indi-
yidual tests that had been made OF
the Littlefeld ordinance were OF little
value In determining how II would
work out II all drivers were compelled
to abide by IT,
The only way to ind out whether
it's q good ordinance is TO put II into
operation and try 1t out for a month
or two" he said IF 1t doesn't work
out as expected Ill be the first man to
take action TO have It changed. think
that's fair proposition
Mr.. Johnson, representing the
chauffeurs' association, thought the
tendency OF the drivers would be to
try to get by cars that were about to
stop. and In this way would be more
apt to strike persons walking from
the curb to the car than under the
six-foot plan.
This and other arguments all on be-
half OF the motorist seemed to carry
much weight with the committee ana
the majority voted for Aid Garvey's
motion.
Next to the cutting out OF the Lit
tlefield provision, the most impor-
tant change in the ordinance made
by the committee was TO amend the
section. limiting the speed OF auto
mobiles 10 10 miles and hour In the
business section, which, in the orig
inal draft. was designated as all that
portion of the city within the four
mile circle. The committee raised
n -