The Washington herald., 1912-06-30
MUFFLER CUT-OUT
PROHIBITED IN NY.
Many Cities Enacting Ordinances
Against Its Use-Is the Play
thing of Joy Riders.

| Only a fortnight remains for the new
automobile drivers in New York city
who like TO give the impression that
they are driving racing machines or at.
tract attention by the cutting out Of the
muffier. to forego such practice as the
new mufier cut-out ordinances takes ef.
feet shortly and is sure to bring about
reform in the use and operation OF
motor driven vehicles in greater New
York. which has beep long and urgently
needed
Notwithstanding the publicity which
was given to the unanimous action taken
by the Board OF Aldermen. there are a
great many chauneurs and automobile
owners driving their own cars who had
better accuStom themselves early to the
new regulation and quit this pernicious
practice which the city authorities have
properly Iegislsted against.
1t is expected that Police Commissioner
Waldo will issue orders at an early date
In regard to the enforcement Of the rluf-
fier Cut-oUt ordinance, drafted by the
Technical Committee OF the Touring
Club OF America, and passed by the
Board Of Aldermen which takes effect
on July is next. Arrests will surely fol-
low Immediately for any violation of the
ordinance which reads as follows:
Section l. Every motor vehicle propelled
by an internal combustion engine. when
such vehicle Is on any street road, ave
nue.. alley, park. parkway. or public place
within the city limits shall. when such
engine Is running, be equipped with
muftier or silencer. through which all Of
the exhaust gases from the engine will
escape into the atmosphere
Section .. II shall he uUIa vrFu1 FOr tho
operator or driver OF any motor vehicle
To use any cut-out. fitting or other ap-
paTatus, or device which will allow
the exhaust gases to escape into the At
mosphere without passing through a suit
able muffier or silencer as described in
section l.
Section 3 Any person violating the
provision OF this ordinance may, upon
the conviction thereof by any city mag
istrate. he fined a sum not exceeding SO.
and in default Of payment Of such fine
may be committed 10 prison by such city
magistrate until the same be paid. but
such Imprisonment shall not exceed ten
days
The crusade inaugurated and which
was successfully conducted by the Tour
ing Club OF America against the dlscrin-
mate use Of the muffier Cut-out has
spread TO other sections OF the country.
and legislation has been enacted in sew
eral states. more recently In New Jer-
sey. prohibiting the use Of the muffler
cut-out, which action. II is believed will
sooner or later bring the fact home to
the automobile manufacturers with a
view TO adopting only such muffiers for
equipment upon the cars which will Alb
solutely silence the explosion from the
motor. In fact, several OF the leading
now refuse 10 accept or
iers which specify that the cars must he
equipped with the cut-out
Several other municipalities are plan
ming to follow the action taken bv the
New York City authorities in prohibiting
The Use OF the muffier cut-out. among
hem being Philadelphia. where an ordl-
nance. similar to that drafted by the |
Touring Club Of America in New York
City, Is expected. will he adopted upon
he recommendation OF Director of Pub |
ic Safety Porter AMI transmitted 10 the |
City Council by Mayor BIankcnburg.
The highway commission Of Massachu- |
'etts have taken steps to eliminate the |
use OF muffier-cuts which Is contrary to |
he provisions OF the automobile law.
50 many complaints have been received |
~ the Massachusetts, authorities that |
hey found II necessary to station an in
ipector at points where the law was be
ng constantly violated. taking the num-
'ers OF the cars and notifying the opera
ors who were given sufficient warning
o stop the unnecessary practice.
In the city Of New Haven. Conn,
'hief OF Police Cowles has instructed all
raffic police 20 arrest automoblllsts who
'iolate the city ordinance in regard to
he use OF the muffier cut-out and auto
Mobile tourists passing through New
Haven should comply with this ordi-
ance, otherwise they will be liable to
rrest.
The ordinance passed by the Common
'ouncil OF the city OF Albany prohibiting
he use Of the muLer cUt-out took effect
and the Director OF Public
afety has issued a notice to the effect
hat arrests will be made for any infrac-
Ions OF the ordinance