The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-06-13
ALDERMEN SEEM
DISPOSED To GIVE
IN T0M0TOR|STs
Admit New Ordinance Has Stopped
Slaughter In Streets, But Yield
to Autoists' Clamor For
Modification Of Measure.
Commissioner Croul Admits Proposed
"Half Speed Provision Would
Be Sufficient to Enforce.

While most OF the aldermen give
the new vehicle ordinance credit for
stopping the slaughter OF citizens In
the streets, and agree that II has not
been given fair test, the probabilities
are that the amendment to section 90
wiping out the principal safety provis.
lon OF the measure, will be passed In
Tuesday nights session, along with
the other minor changes proposed. The
amendments have been drafted by AS.
sistant Corporation Counsel Richard
l. Lawson In accordance with the rec
concentrations of the committee on
ordinances. and will be reported out by
the committee In the regular order of
business tonight
IF the council passes the amend
ment, I'll eat II up Just as | did the
original section 90" said Police Com
missioner Croul to The Times. Tuesday
morning. In other words, Just as
much zeal will be shown In enforcing
this new regulation as there was be-
fore. have been charged with try
ing to kill the ordinance by over-en-
forcing II, but that Is not true. II the
automobile drivers fall to observe the
six-foot, half-speed rule In the future,
law. the complaints will pile up Just
as fast as they did last week"
but how will your men be able to
tell whether motorist Is driving on
half-speed" the commissioner was
asked.
We'll. OF course, II will be hard to
distinguish between six miles an hour
and eight miles an hour, for instance
hn uAx tAA tlkt,N q aH 4.
reasonable disposition to conform to
the spirit of the ordinance and run his
car at a safe speed In passing street
cars and running intersections, don't
think he should be molested, even
though he may be technically violating
the ordinance think it VIII work
out all right. provided there isn't too
much gear trouble suppose, II a
fellow finds that he can't slow down
to the required speed without lot OF
fusing with his gears he'll be inclined
to speed her up, but we'll get him II
he does. fg
II believe the six-foot regulation IL q
splendid thing and 1t will prove to be,
too, when II Is generally understood. IL
gives the person waiting for car or
leaving car rest zone. where he
can Ieel secure. nat ~ SdCrtu leTTi-
tory and think the automobile drivers
are going to SO regard II. II they
don't. the penalty Is strong enough SO
that think We will be able to inspire
respect for It.
The amendment, as prepared by Mr.
Lawson, provides that the six feet
space be marked of In the street, SO
there will be no need for any confus-
ion of the dead line" It will take
some time to make these markings,
however. and they will be Of no value
whatever in the winter, when the
pavements are covered with snow and
sleet. So II will still be up to the
pedestrian In the street to take his
chances and trust to luck, just as OF
yore. II Commissioner Croul expects
to enfoyce the ordinance to the letter,
as he attempted to enforce the origin
al section 20, he will need the SER
vices of an army OF mathmeticians,
surveyors and big automobile squad
equipped with gpeedometers.
Other amendments prepared by Mr.
Lawson prohibit hitching on autos
without the consent OF the drivers,
compel drivers to stop and render
first aid to persons struck by their
machines and give physicians the
right-of-way the same as police pa
trolls and ambulances, provided their
machines are equipped with metal
(Contfnued on page -.