Norwich bulletin., 1911-08-09

The town authorities of Westerly determination to enforce the automo- bile law at any cost will have a ten- dency to lessen the speed of automo- piles to the Iegalized limit. If this is done, the town treasury will not be lowered by reason of the enforcement of this law. The town is required to pay all the costs of enforcement, while the fines imposed for violation go to the state. Should the police depart ment decide to employ men with mo- torcycles to aid them in the work, and that is the best method of enforcing the law, it will be done at the expense of Westerly. Not so in Connecticut where motorcycle policemen will be sent to a city or town upon applica- tion, and at no expense to the town, but, as in Rhode Island, the fines col 1ected go to the state.
 Regardless of the cost, the police department has been instructed by the town council 10 enforce the law, to make arrests for overspeeding and to prosecute to the limit. With the fa- cilities at hand unless the motorcycle spotter system is adopted, as there is no state police system in Rhode Is- land the only thing the. police depart nent can do is to resort to the time worn trap trick, which will be known from Boston to New York in "A hours. The autos will travel slowly over the measured trap, but the overspeeders will continue to defy the law after passing the vision of the posted sen tfnels.
 The chasing of an automobile with another automobile almost forces the driver of the automobile in the lead to violate the speed law, as he is of opinion that the machine In the rear is racing to get the lead and leave the other a trail of dust. This scheme was adopted on several occasions near ly TWO years ago, with it's attendant dangers. Two arrests were made and a fine of $100 and costs imposed in each case, but that there was not collision or other mishap is due to luck rather than good management.
 The town council, which now serves ss police committee of the whole, has decreed that something must be done, and done quickly, and puts the matter right up to the police department for action. The police force is composed of a chief deputy chief and three patrolmen, one of whom is stationed at Watch Hill, one on day duty and three for night service. These are members of the town council who seem to be of opinion that with this force there should be strict enforce ment of the automobile law. The man on day duty therefore would be oblig-
 
 each end of the trap and leave the center of the town absolutely without police protection At night three men are not too many to guard the busi- ness center, without doing sentry work at the automobile trap
 If it is the public wish that the speed of automobiles be reduced to the minimum. the chief would be justi- fled in securing the assistance of men with motorcycles. There would be no need of sleuth work or any secrecy.
 William w. Woodmansee, who work ed at carpentering before his retiring from active work, died Tuesday morn ing at his home at Rockville, R. l.. in his s7th year. He was one of the lead ing citizens and a deacon of the sSev- enth Day Baptist church. Mr. Wood mansee is survived by three sons, La Clede of Westerly, and Orrin and George Woodmansee. The deceased had been sick but few days.
 B. Frank Bliven, the ancient fisher man, entertained some of his intimate friends in his market in Main street. Tuesday, on the 77th anniversary of his birth. Mir. Bliven, while claiming to be the oldest man in active business in the town, declares that he is but a