New-York tribune., 1911-12-23
AUTO NEWS OF THE DAY.
CHICAGO Defines Adequate Motor
Signal as an Abrupt Sound.
BARS SHRIEKS AND SIRENS
Unnecessary Noises Contrary to
Law, and Offenders Will
Be Punished.

Chicago has placed the automobile horn
I'm the same class with locomotive and
streetcar signals by creating law forbid
ding it's use save as warning OF dan
ger Moreover, the city has taken another
step forward by defining for the first time
in the history OF municipal legislation, just
what an adequate automobile signal is by
providing that no device shall be used as
a signal OF warning save that which gives
an abrupt sound. This means that no mat
ter how much noise might be made with a
warning signal, to make other than an
abrupt sound will put 1t in the power OF
the court TO fine any person guilty OF
unnecessarily sounding his signal. The
ordinance specifically states that 1t shall
be unlawful to make any unnecessary
noise.
The warning signal proposition Is thus
treated in a section OF an ordinance which
It is believed will check the abuse OF the
muffier ut-out and various other auto
mobile dangers. But the chief feature OF
interest is the warning signal section, be-
cause its adoption sets the pace for the
rest Of the United States. and shows the
way TO the successful solution OF prob
lem that has bothered most OF the cities
and towns of the country for long time
The section reads as follows:
Motor vehicles and motorcycles 10 be
provided with a bell. horn or other signal
device. Every motor vehicle and motor
cycle. while being used upon the streets
and public places Of the city, shall be pro
vided with suitable bell horn or other
device. and it shall be unlawful for any
person to use any device which Will NOT
produce an abrupt sound sufficiently loud
10 give an adequate warning OF danger; ana
il shall be unlawful for any person operat-
ing any motor vehicle or motorcycle to
make or cause to be made any unnecessary
noiS" with any such bell, horn or other
signal device or to use the same except as
warning OF danger.
More than three months were spent I'm
the preparation of this ordinance. and it Is
believed TO be what a lawyer terms boiler
proof'-ihat is, convictions under 1t will
stand a test.
IL is an interesting fact that not one
mcmler OF the judiciary committee that
passed upon the measure is motorst, and
for the first time since the warning signal
question came into the legislative lmeliSht
this Chicago ordinance Is believed to rep
resent inteiGcntly the non-motorng public.
The real inspiration OF the ordinance was
Mayor Harrison OF Chicago, who, when
he took Office. hold the opinion that there
should be automobile regulation that would
protect the motorst and pedestrian alike,
and at the same time put an end TO all
unnecessary noise. This ordinance is the
result OF his idea.
In discussing it's intent and provisions,
Mayor Harrison said:
Yfprv
automobile question, the whole rights of
the public must be respected.
This being the case, It was necessary
TO get the complete points OF view Of all
concerned. ! think we have succeeded. 1t
is wholly feasible to protect the safety of
the public I'm manner that brings no un-
deserved hardship. The automobilist who
makes unnecessary noise is just as much
of a public nuisance as the man who Gre
ates a disturbance on the street. and should
be suppressed with the same hearty good
will. and punished so that he will remem-
Der il and not repeat the offence.
"On the other hand, the public ought to.
as ] am sure it will, realize that the mo-
torist has his rights. which under the law
II is bound TO respect In fact, there must
be cooperation between the motorist and
non-motorist to bring about the right state
Of affairs.
Il sincerely believe that the time Of a
thoroughly friendly understanding Is at
hand. 70 \ certain extent it has existed,
but not wholly. IN the case OF the warning
signal no man is required 10 submit 10
the shrieking nuisanccs that have existed
The law is to put an end to them y
warning signal is a warning Of danger
and should not he used for anything else
Whoever tries TO make playthlnS OF ii
should be given tho extreme punishment
because that is the only way 10 impress
such an individual.
AS far as | am concerned, my idea was
70 first create a good law, a sane law, one
that could be enforced, and then to on
force IL without fear or favor. If Chicago
has shown a light along the right path !
am glad Of It, and | believe that 1t VIII
have an excellent effect as demonstrating
that the more intelligent thought Is bent
upon a civic problem the greater the