Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-01
TO ENFORCE TONIGHT
Lights Regulation Will Be
Made Effective.
ORDERS GIVEN TO POLICE
Exception Will Be Made in Case of
Mail Wagons.
DISPLAY MADE BY DRIVERS
Some Vehicles Illuminated Last
Night, as It Was Thought New
Law Would Then Go in Effect.

One-half hour after sunset tonight the
police will begin the enforcement Of the
new regulation of the District Commits
sioners which requires lights on all We
hicles between the time stated and
clock in the morning. The delayed en-
forcement of the regulation is subject to
another eleventh-hOur halt, however, al
though Maj. Sylvester, superintendent OF
police thinks there will be no further
delay.
1t was expected that the law would be
enforced last night and a number OF
drivers of teams had lanterns on their
vehicles. The display last night was
similar to that of a Saturday night sew
eral Years ago when it was given out
that all vehicles had to be lighted. On
that occasion lanterns and lamps of al
descriptions were brought into use.
Drivers of country teams on their way
home from market used bicycle lamps
tallow candles and even house lamps, moi
for the purpose of lighting their way
home, but in order to comply with tho
regulations. Some of them presented
amusing sights.
Mail Wagons Excepted.
1t is probable that Maj. Sylvester will
partment today directing them to en-.
force the new regulation. Yesterday ar
order was issued by Maj. Sylvester di
rectinS an exception to be made in the
enforcement of the law SO far as mai
wagons are concerned.
For the benefit of the members of the
force. Maj Sylvester sent each of them
a printed copy of a note sent to him by
Commissioner Cuno II. Rudolph. as fol-
lows:
"As there has been some misunder-
standing on the part of the post office
authorities about the lights on vehicles
bearing the sign Il. S. Mail l suggest
that the police do not enforce the resula-
ton so tar as these particular wagons
are concerned until the night OF We'd
neSday, January 4, 1911.
Lights on Private Vehicles.
Each member OF the force has already
been supplied with copy of the regu-
lation, the section dealing with private
vehicles reading:
Every private vehicle. in motion OF
al rest on any public street, avenue, road,
alley or space in the District Of Column
bia, between one-half hour after sunset
and ] O'Clock am, shall display at least
one lamp CT lantern showing a white
the direction toward which such
vehicle is proceeding and to the side
thereof, and light visible for a distance
of 700 feet directly to the rear, which
shall be placed or fixed. unless otherwise
authorized by the major or superinten-
dent of the metropolitan police, upon the
left side of said vehicle and so as to be
plainly visible and free from obstruction.
Provided, however, this regulation shall
not apply to private vehicles when be-
lated not more than one hour and half
after sunset and en- route to their re-
spective stables and if driven not faster
than a walk and provided that nothing
contained in this section shall be con-
strued to repeal any regulation now eX-
listing affecting baby carriages, bicycles,
tricycles. motor cycles or motor vehicles -
Lights on Public Vehicles.
The section relating to public vehicles
provides:
Every public vehicle for the convey
ance of passengers for hire shall display
between one-half hour after sunset and
one-half hour before sunrise, brightly.
lighted lamps so placed as to be plainly
visible from the front, side and rear
thereof, for a distance of 200 feet. and
SO as to plainly indicate it's number at
a distance of twenty feet