The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-06
AutOmobIIists Rounded up in
 Old Stratford An Even Dozen Violators of Law Caught by State Po- Hcemen on Barnum Ave. Trial Brings Out Misappre- hension of. the Law Con
 corning Rear Lights
Especial to The Farmer l

Stratford, Nov. 6-The town court is richer to the extent of nearly $50 through the activity of State Police man Rowe Wheeler and William Jack son who rounded up twelve automobil- ists On Saturday night for violating the laws governing automobiles. The first victim was George B. Crawford of Bridgeport, who was charged with racing and neglecting to sound his horn. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and argued the matter with the court claiming that the laws of the state prescribed no speed on a straight road. Judge Charles H. Peck who tried the cases agreed with MT. Craw- ford in regard to the speed part of the charge, but fined MT. Crawford $20 and costs amounting to $916 for not footing. The policemen testified that MT. Crawford and another car passed them burning up the road and there were all the appearances of race. MT. Crawford denied this. MT. Crawford announced that hereafter when he wished to go to New Ha- ven he would use the route via Nich- ols and Derby and would be careful to avoid Stratford in the future. He paid up.
 B. J. Todd of Hartford a tire dealer.
 
 of the good roads club of New Haven was halted at 7:05 and shown his rear light which was out. He did not know it. The light was burning at Waterbury and Shelton and it must have been the poor roads this side of Shelton which jared it out He paid S5 and costs of $9.16 and said that he would make it another $20 if the town would fix the road between the foun- tain and the Washington bridge. MT. Todd like many other drivers has been travelling with the idea that electric rear lights are forbidden by law. Judge Peck informed him that such was not the case. MT. Todd said that his car was wired for an electric. rear light but he had changed to oil with the idea that he could not use the electric lamp. Policeman Jackson called up the secretary of the state and ascer- tained that an electric rear light was legal MT. Todd was gratified at the information and said that his rear light would be changed in 15 minutes after he reached home He said that he had travelled 60,000 miles and had never been "pinched'' before. He said the information was worth all it had cost him.
 John A. Csoba was caught at 9:30 riding a motor cycle without lights and also without a license. He paid $14.16 and said that he had sold his motor cycle yesterday and did not want any more.
 ;, Leroy Mix of Bridgeport paid $5 and costs of $9.16 for running up the hill at Il :35 with an open muffler.
 Nathan T. Gregory of Milford paid the same amount for the same of- fense. He, was represented by Attor- ney OmarjW. Platt.
 Christopher Lally of Milford was taxed the regular fee for an open muffler at 10:05. Charles F. Keller of Waterbury was another victim of the open muffler at 10:15 and he paid $1416, also Charles E. Weeks of Bridgeport got the same dose for the same offenSe.
 Thomas A. Collins of East Norwalk was travelling with no rear light and did not know it. He paid $14.16
 There are still three cases to be tried. Harry A. Welch of Bridgeport, charged with the open muffler of fense and A. w Smith of Bridgeport, charged with having only one light in front. These will come up this af- ternoon. A. G. Barrow Of Bridgeport. charged with having only one light in front will be tried tomorrow.
 The accused were all gentlemen and took their medicine manfully and with out a murmur A vote of those fined, however, would probably have dis closed a stern and unbending resolve to avoid Stratford in their future journeys if it could be made possi- ble