The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-06
DRASTIC MEASURES NECESSARY.

DRASTIC MEASURES NENES@SAn1s
Need for stringent regulation of automobile
trafnc on the streets OF Richmond is being de-
monstrated more and more each day with the
reporting of an automobilist for speeding with
in a week after his machine was involved In the
killing of an aged woman pedestrian. the neces-
sity for effective regulation and laws Is made all
the more apparent
Councilman Umlaurs tranac plan, which he
proposes Offering before Council, is not at all out
OF season. II should be given the most earnest
and serious consideration, and IL IT is not passed
some equally efectual measure should be adopt
ed Along with the automobile regulations
should be passed the measure providing for thir-
ty additional policemen that the police depart
ment may the better cope with the serious stu
alton confronting it.
With the killing OF six persons by automobiles,
four of them In the heart of the city, within
twelve months. and injury to a score or more
others. the time is upon US to put the curb bit
into the mouth of the reckless driver Of the
horseless machine.
Something has got to be done. We do not
let horse-drawn vehicles run at a thirty to
forty-mile-an-hour clip over the crowded bust
ness and residential streets, should we allow
automobiles. travelling less noisily than wagons
and buggies. to go at any such speed
Mr.. Umlauf's plan is to reduce the speed limit
from fifteen miles hour to eight ON business
and residential streets and four miles an hour
over crossings and around corners. II this pro-
posed ordinance were made law and rigidly
enforced, killings by automobiles in the capital
city would be greatly reduced, If not entirely
obviated The complaint OF the Automobiles
to the effect that such low speed as proposed by
MIR. Umlauf would be ruinous to their high-pow-
cred cars may be justified 1t puts 1t squarely
IN to Council TO decide whether automobiles or
human life are to be ruined.
Chairman Belvin, of the Executive Commit
tee of the Richmond Automobile Club, declares
that the members OF that organization are not
among those who violate the speed law figure
In tragedies. Within the next week the Execu
tive Committee win meet and may adopt a reso
luton calling upon the members of the Rich
mond Automobile Club to report TO the secreta
~ the number of any machine seen exceeding
the speed limit The secretary Will then warn
the owner Oh the uiacHlue, aiu IL Inc huubot lie
reported a second time, the Richmond Automo
bile Club will obtain warrant for the speeder's
arrest, and the member who reported him will
appear in the police court a witness for the
prosecution.
This scheme. known az the honor system, has
worked to the highest satisfaction In Buffalo
and 1t is rare thing for any automobilst to be
arrested for violating the speed law in that city
AS In Buffalo, cooperation between the law
abiding automobile owners and police will bring
about a solution OF the perplexing traffic prob
lem confronting the Richmond authorities
It.ss well to consider all the proposed pani
before adopting any of them, that the best ma,
be selected But it Is certain death and
taxes that the police aad other authorities Of
the city must redeem the streets of the munich
paiity from the 10Y rider" and give pedestri
], ans sesae guarantee OF safety. .-'-