The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-16
Motor Car Owners in Topeka
Against Ordinance.
Declare City Plan Is Inadequate
and Discriminatory.
REGUlATE TRAFFIC IN 6ENERA[
Motorists Would Include All
Drivers in Campaign.
~Jayo Pedestrians Come In for
Share of Criticism.

Members OF the Topeka Autociob1le
club at a special meeting "Wednesday
night II the main room OF the C"ih'
tnercia: CLUB quarters held that the ne"
automobile ordinance, slated lor ois'
cussion at the meeting Of the city com
mission next Monday, is discriminatory
and inadequate. 1t was the sense q
the meeting that there should De az
ordinance prepared which wouic lesa-
late traffic in general.
This resolution was introduced oy r
L. Overton and unanimously adoT tea
ssResolved. That this body ask the city
commissioners to withhold any acttoi'
en- the autornobile ordinance no" ne
fore the commission. and confer viii
q committee appointed by tne prrs, !,
dent of the Topeka Automobile ciup.
The automobile men expressed tas1n-
selves as being willing to do anything
in reason that will tend to decrease the
number Of accidents In this city, out
they seriously objected to the ordl-
nance as it now stands on the Srf.Ens'
that 1t ciccriminates against tho INC
florists.
Jay Pedestrians, Too.
DR. d. Freeman commented as fol-
lows: From the standpoint OF sa1ety
we are DESTROYS Of doing all that we
can. but what are they going to 90
about the street car lights! Tnere
should be an ordinance regulating
traffic in general.
Later Doctor Freeman referred to the
danger caused on the crowded Kansas
avenue intersections, where groups OF
people are prone to stand and converse.
and scores Of others cut across the
street at all angles making 1t ditncuit
for motorists to avoid running INTO
some one.
And the doctor applied the term
"1ay'' to these pedestrians. He was OF
the opinion that there should be an
ordinance regulating the actions OF
those on foot.
Against Street Car Rule.
There was serious objection made to
the portion of the new ordinance wn1cn
would make it unlawful for an autoist
standing for the purpose OF LOADING OF
unloading passengers.
1t was the opinion of those present
that autos on the crowded thorough
fares would have to stand a large pro-
portion Of the time waiting for the cars
to move. And on some OF the mar
row streets it would be impossible at
any time to pass a car at distance OF
ten feet.
A good deal of fun was made of
the wording. of this portion of the or
dfnance: The city clerk Is hereby
authorized to issue drivers certificates
to all persons of the .'e lir ID sge and
who appear to be sound and colnpe-
tent to drive a motor vehicle" Just
how the city clerk is to determine
whether the drivers are Sound and
competent was a puzrlec to those at
the meeting.
Pole Painting Day.
July 80 will be pole painting day
on the Golden Belt route. The To-
peka Automobile club will be respon-
sibie for the painting of the poles
along the road in Shawnee county
with a big yellow band on that day.
George Caldwell of Salina. secre-
tary of the Golden Belt route, who Is
making a trip from one end of the
road to the other, was in attendance
at the meeting Tuesday night. HI. s.
Putney, president Of the Topeka Auto
mobile club, and several other MEM
bers accompanied Mr.. Caldwell in
autos this morning to the county line.
Caldwell began his trip west from
Kansas City on Tuesday.