New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-30
OPEN EXHAUST DOOMED
MuffIer Cut-Out Ordinance Takes
Effect on July 10.
POLICE ORDERS EXPECTED
Many Other Cities and Towns Are
Following Lead of New York
in SURPRISING Racket.

only a fortnight remains for the few au-
tomobile drivers in New York City who
like to give the impression that they are
driving racing machines to attract atten-
ton by the cutting out Of the muffier The
new muffler cut-out ordinance takes effect
shortly and is sure to bring about reform
IN the use and operation Of motor driven
vehicles which greater New York has long
and urgently needed.
II Is expected that Police Commissioner
Waldo will issue orders at an early date
in regard 10 the enforcement of the muller
cut-out ordinance, drafted by the technical
committee of the Touring Club Of America
and passed by the Board of Aldermen. The
ordinance takes effect on July l6. Arrests
are likely TO follow Immediately for viola
tons of the ordinance, which reads as
follows:
Section |. Every motor vehicle propelled
by an internal combustion engine when
such vehicle IS on any street, road, avenue.
alley, park. parkway or public place within
the city limits shall, when such engine is
running, be equipped with muller or
silencer, through which all OF the exhaust
gases from the cgine will escape into
the atmosphere. ..-,...e,,, g.. A.
operator or driver of any motor vehicle
TO use any Cut-out, fitting or other appar-
atuS. or q device WnlCn VIII dilO" the eA-
haust gases to escape into the atmosphere
without passing through suitable muffler
or silencer, as described in Section ].
Section 3. Any person violating the pro-
visions of this ordinance may, upon the con-
VictiOn thereof by any city magistrate, be
fined a sum not exceeding $40, and in de-
fault Of payment of such fine may be COM
mitted TO prison by such city magistrate
until the same be paid, but such impris-
tnment shall not exceed ten days.
The crusade inaugurated and success
fully conducted against the indiscrminate
use Of the muller cut-out has spread to
other sections Of the country, and legisla-
ton has been enacted in several states,
more recently in New Jersey, prohibiting
its use.
Several other municipalities are plan
ming to follow the action taken by the
New York City authorities in prohibiting
the use of the muller cutout among Them
being Philadelphia. where a similar or
dinance will probably be adopted upon the
recommendation of Director Of Public
Safety Porter and transmitted 10 the City
Council by Mayor Blankenburg.
The highway commission Of Massachn-
sets has taken steps to eliminate the use
Of mufiier Cutouts. which is contrary 10
the provision Of the automobile law. SO
many complaints have been received by
the Massachusetts authorities that they
found 1t necessary to station an inspector
at points where the law was being con-
stantly violated. taking the numbers Of the
cars and notifying the operators TO stop
the unnecessary practice.
In New Haven. Chief OF Police Cowles
has instructed all traffic police TO arrest
autcmobilists who violate the city ordin-
ance in regard TO the use OF the muller
cutout, and automobile tourists passing
through that city should be careful to
comply with the ordinance, otherwise they
will be liable TO arrest. The Albany au-
thorities also threaten arrest for the same
offence.