Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-01-10

before him, but the Circuit or Police Cour
of this county.
Further. it was the duty of said Justice
to transmit the papers and collateral ir
each case to said Police Justice, which wa.
not done, but payment of said collateral
has been made direct to the Commissioner
of Motor Vehicles of the State.
Constable Shaw informs me that the
local Justice of the Peace at Chevy Chase
| Mr.. Clarence Dawson. refused to take cog
nizance of any of the cases unless it was
for violation of the speed law, notwith-
standing the fact that said Justice had
been imposing fines and conducting trials
under this law in other cases brought to
him by local deputy sheriff in the en-
ploy of the Citizens Association of Chevy
Chase
If this be true, Justice Dawson is acting
in error in both instances.
| Under the law even he has no right to
impose any fines or conduct any trials for
the violation of this statute, and, further,
he is required to act, under penalty of the
law, to either fix and accept collateral for
the defendants appearance before the
Police Court or Circuit Court for trial or
commit such offender for such hearing and
appearance.
If the Justices of the Peace of this county
will carefully read the amended Police
Court laws of this county, passed at the
January Session. 1912, and the automobile
laws, passed at the same session. their
defined and will avoid many errors in the
execution of same.
The harsh and violent criticism and the
denunciation of the officials of this county
and State have been entirely unwarranted.
Unfair and untruthful reports have been
circulated to the detriment of the county
and State and its officers
Those who are crying for square deal
in these matters are not fair themselves,
and 90 to extremes in their desire for
vengence by the circulation and publica-
tiOl vi uDoOiutCiy idioC
Anyman can get justice in the courts Of
this county and State, if he resorts them.
There has been no occasion for the abu-
sive. threatening and unwananted attacks
that have been made in the past few weeks.
Let every person who is apprehended
appear and contest his case either in the
Police or Circuit Court, and if he then still
feels agerieved the Federal Court of the
United States is always open to him.
1t is to be regretted so much space in
certain newspapers is given to the arrest
or punishment of some person driving an
automobile and such little space is given
where by chance an automobile kills OF
Injuries some Of our citizens,
Those who cannot afford the luxury of
an automobile should receive the same
protection as the man who does and should
at the same time have the ear Of the press
to redress the wrong and injury done him.
1t is not the lady or gentleman driver OF
an automobile that warrants our censure-
it is the joy riders who. by their acts, bring
upon other persons the strict enforcement
of each and every provision of our local
statute.
The Joy rider of Washington and else
where invading our domain are a menace
and are numerous. 1t is the joy riders who
cause these spasmodc Endorsements to
the letter of the law.
1t is the speed fiend that makes ouI
roads vertabe race courses and thorough
fares of destruction.
Kill off the joy riders and speed fiends
and relaxation of such drastic laws will
follow.
If in each city. district. county and ter
ritory, there should be organized an auto
mobile association on broad and compre-
hensive basis, aimed at the adoption and
announcement and use of the automobile
also to protect such users and owners in
their legal rights also to cooperate with
the law-making authorities in the passage
and enforcement of all usual and reason
able laws and regulations; also to protest
against the passage of and contest legal!
when necessary unreasonable and drasti,
laws and regulations aimed at the adop
ton, maintenance or use of the autOmo.
bile also to aid and support movements
tending to the improvement and building
Of good roads and also. where possible,
aid in bringing to justice all violators Of
the laws of the road and all others who
by their wantOn acts tend TO get the auto
mobile drivers or owners into disrepute or
tend to damage them or their property.
conditions would then be better In union
there is strength. In right there is might.
A combination of which will insure to
users Of the automobiles fair play at all
times and at all places.
1t is not my province to defend our auto
mobile law The law. to my mind, is fair,
just and equitable.
1t will successfully stand against the
attack of a few disgruntled non residents
have no doubt that the enforcement Of
1t at times is carried to an extent that was
never contemplated.
There is no trouble with the law. The
trouble is with some Of those who violate
il. and again with those who attempt to
enforce il.
The retaliation threatened by certain
persons residing in the District of Columbia
is not causing any alarm within the con
fines Of this county or State, so far as my
investigation has gone. Retaliation is a
neyer-ending game. Public officials are
not moved by a spirit Of revenge to such
an extent Montgomery county and the
State Of Maryland abhor such matters
There is no sentiment in this county t.
engage in such controversies. Montgomery
county is glad to receive its Washington
neighbors in their automobiles and will in
sure them protection TO the limit Of tn
law when abiding by the same law tina
governs us, but II that law is hagrantll