The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-19


vehicles was amended SO that mufflers
will be required at all times when the en-
gine is running.
Parking Time Is Limited
As a matter of fact, there are certain
places under the ordinance where automo-
bles can be parked as long as is desired,
but the terms of the ordinance in this
regard are so strict that such cars could
not be in the way of any traffic on the
streets, and will at all times be very few
in number. The larger part of the cars
which heretofore have been stationed
along the streets in the business section
Monday morning will have to be parked
outside the danger zone" if 1t is desired
to let them stand more than 80 minutes.
The plea of the doctors for exemption
from the parking clause was refused All
persons, no matter what their business or
profession. are equally liable under the
regulations with three exceptions, as fol-
lows: Drays which are unloading or load
ing, United States mail vehicles and the
vehicles of the police or fire departments
of the city.
The ordinance was adopted unanimously
but Judge Lane first attempted TO secure
the passage of a resolution repeating in
toto section %. which relates to the park
ing of automobiles on the downtown
streets. Judge Lane favored allowing
this part of the traffic regulations to re-
main in the future as 1t is at present, but
his resolution was voted down by the
other two commissioners. The vote on
the two ordinances then was unanimous.
Four Traffic Policemen
Stating that no reflection was meant
upon Judge Lane or the efficiency of the
police department President Exum then
introduced resolution by which four spe-
cial policemen We're detailed to see that
the ordinance is enforced to the letter In
addition to this, Mr.. Exum introduced a
resolution, which was adopted. to the
effect that 3oO copies of the ordinance
shall be printed in book form and distrib-
uted to every member of the police force
and to all citizens and owners of automo-
biles who desire them. The ordinance
unamended, was published in full in last
Sundays Age-Herald.
The ordinance is generally considered
TO ne one OIL lIlt 1lOSI up ~ udlb anu
perfect laws of it's kind ever placed on
the statute books of any city. Traffic
laws of many cities in all parts of the
country were examined and data secured
from them. The ordinance is considered
rather revolutionary. 1t makes some
drastic changes In many things in regard
to the traffic of the city
The best elements of the citizenship
are believed to be in sympathy with it
and the city officials are determined that
it shall be enforced very strngently.
A suggestion was made by Commis-
sioner Weatherly> in regard to the exami-
nation OF chauffuers and other vehicle
operators before license was issued to
them. No action was taken on this mat
ter but it Is probable that a written ex-
animation on the traffic laws of the city
will be given all applicants for a chauf-
fuers license, draymen, cabmen and 9TH
ers who operate vehicles over the public
streets, and who have to be familiar
with the ordinance.
No Parking Place Designated
No parking place as was at first thought
Of will be designated by the city COM
missioners, 1t was said yesterday. 1t was
pointed out that as matter of fact there
would be no use in such action Automo-
biles can be parked anywhere outside OF
the downtown district as defined In the
ordinance. BY the terms of the ordi-
nance itself there will be certain places
alcng the sides of office and public build
ngs where they can be parked down
town, such as the First avenue side of
the American Trust building the Second
avenue side OF the First National bank
building and others, where machines could
be placed far enough from the street in
tersection and where there Is no entrance
to the building. The cars at these places
will have to stand parallel to the curb,
however, and four feet apart so that not
more than four or five could be placed
there.
The cars which get to these places first
will be allowed to stay there as long as
is desired. Others will have to take their
cars outside the danger zone" where the
commissioners realized it would be use
less to designate place, as the cars will
be permitted to park anywhere.