The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-20
NEWSSof THE AUTOMOBILIsTs

The stirring interview given last week by Otto Marx, an experienced traveller, as to the dangers that beset those who walk in Birmingham from either ignorant or careless automobile drivers has created deep impression. Coming from an au- thority, and embodying in his remarks examples of speeding here unrivalled any where are factors of the statement that has caused many automobile owners and officials to take notice as MT. Marx sug- gested shoulu be the case. The recent deaths here and the nlutilation of pedes- trians is generally known. The facts are briefly chronicled for a few days in the papers, they are read and regrets ex- pressed but as yet there has been nothing done to keep down future deaths and fu- ture accidents. MT. Marx suggested that traffic rules be adopted which would tend to decrease the fast driving. Consider able complaint has been heard as to speeding on Eighteenth street. That boulevard presents an almost uncontroll- able desire for speeding, and it is most frequent that the desire is realized. The result is that frequently any one crossing Eighteenth street is liable to get hit by a fast moving car either going south or north. That boulevard was believed to be one of the solutions of the Twentieth street hill dangers. But it would seem that speeding along the Eighteenth street boulevard will soon become as hazardous as Twentieth street ever was. In fact it is known that several automobile own CTS will not allow their cars to go on Eighteenth street or cross cut into that thoroughfare for the reason that the dan gers are so eminent.
 Traffic rules and regulations and strict enforcement seems to be the general idea for the solution of the problem. The lack of police protection accounts for some of the trouble, and it would seem that at this time nothing may be expected to- wards an increase of police patrols. Real izing that as true the automobile owners and other citizens interested will for the time being avoid the most dangerous places and will ask the commissioners to adopt some traffic rules. It has been sug- gested to the commission that absolute enforcement of cross stops, signals to the rear for automobile by front drivers and other regulations should be adopted and strictly enforced.
 While nothing definite has been done in that connection it is taken that the in- creasing dangers here will eventually be ctIrbed by some drastic regulations. In the meantime it should be the realized duty of every driver to exercise more caution at this time than ever as public sentiment is slowly being aroused and when it breaks its greatest fury, as it will surely do. the auto mobile drivers are the only ones that will suffer from the eminent drastic traffic regulations.
 Be careful, that's all.
 The Municipal Garage
 The announced intention of the city to stop automobiles from being parked around the principal buildings, preventing easy ingress and egress from the build ings, has caused a consideration for a municipal garage. It was announced yesterday by l.. A. Whitehead, vice presi- dent of the Highland Garage company, that if the city wanted a garage he would cause one to be erected within two blocks or the business center on Twentieth street The building if erected, would be for storing automobiles during business hours. It is planned by MT. Whitehead, if the city authorizes the deal, to have a checker at the municipal garage, and also n call driver. The duties of the latter will be to call for and deliver automo- piles downtown to those who have no drivers but want their cars in reach of their business offices. President Culpep- per, of the commissioners. and City Engi- neer w. T. Kirkpatrick are working on the deal, and it is probable that some- thing will shortly be done. The reason for the general desire for the garage s the ceaseless protests filed by merchants who claim that customers are prevented from entering their stores on account of the parking of cars along the sidewalk.
 A Vigilance Committee
 In this year of grace 1912 with vast ap- populations for municipal government il is rather unique to chronicle the formation of a vigilance committee to enforce an. laws. It was all we'll and good for Bloody beat 22 when murders were committed