The Washington times., 1913-01-07
CAPITAL JOY RIDERS
BLAMED FOR STRICT
LAWS IN MARYLAND
Relaxation Will Follow Stop
ping of Speed Fiends,
Declares Official.

That automobile Joy riders from wash
fngton are the cause Of the spasmodic
enforcement of the Maryland motor
car law in Montgomery county, is the
contention of John A. Garrett, attorney
To the board of county commissioners, IN
report made today.
XIII OF the joy riders and speed
fiends and relaxation of the drastic
laws will follow" says Attorney Gar
rett. who won the everlasting hatred of
Washington automobile owners when he
was mayor of Glen Echo by the nu-
merous and heavy fines he inflicted on
drivers using the Conduit road. That
he has had a change of heart is evil
denced in his report, wherein he says:
I am aware that automobilists are, to
great extent, not only prosecuted
wantonly, and are frequently victims
OF prosecutions by certain petty Off
Gals who prey upon them for the sake
Of the fees, a system in this county and
State that should be speedily obliterated
for the common good.
Action Regretted.
These spssmodic attempt at the
enforcement of the law of recent date
Is TO be regretted. The sheriff and his
deputies and the constabIes of the
county should at all times and seu-
sons be just as alert and active as
they are at certain times, and in the
exercise of this duty should use dis
creuion and not harass and emDarrdss
every moterist for the most trivial and
iEsignIncant offenses. Each and every
provision Of the law snJulu he en-
iorceo, Dut the meInod OF It's ENFORCE
Inent is a matter Tor the constaouiary
vi the county. II behooves them 10
IL alr L., he
u.sdgreau.e anu most nuIuan anu Be-
sipIe manner without resOrtlng 10 spcSd
traps unfair me:aoas and trivial tecn-
nlcalties Inal make the law q yoke
OF oppression, and its enforcement
larce, bringing INTO Gtsrepule the CHI
Gems OF the state anu its ofncers, VINO
trown upon such tactics.
Attorney Garrett mas suggested tnat
a COPY OF his report be gwen to every
constable OF the county for his future
guidance and direction and tnat they
he informed of the attitude OF the beard
of county commissioners in this matter
TO the end that they will follow the sug-
gestions he has LAID down. Mr. Garrett |
mas also given the automobile owners
something 10 think about by suggest |
ing that automobile associations be or
ganized In various cities and counties |
on a broad and comprehensive basis tor /
the protection of the legal rights Of mo-
tor car owners and to enable them TO /
make effective protest against the pass
age of unreasonable and drastic laws. |
Such an association is about to De
formed in Washington
Makes Many Arrests.
II appears from Mr.. Garett's report
that on December % last Constable
Shaw arrested thirty-eight persons for
alleged violations of the automobile law,
all of whom were taken before Justice
Roach, who required twenty-four of the
number to deposit with him the sum OF
IS for their appearance to answer the
charges before him on December q.
Fourteen We're released on their person
al recognisance to appear on the same
day A total of $40 was deposited for
collateral. One Of those who left col
lateral appeared for trial and fine OF
81 and costs was imposed by Justice
Roach Twenty-three forfeited their
collateral and none Of the fourteen who
were released on their personal recog-
nizance appeared al the stipulated time
or anytime since.
"A majority of the offenses charged
were trivial In their nature" said Gar
rett, land IL more diplomacy and the
exercise of good judgment were used
in these particular cases less strife
would have been encountered and better
results attained.