Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-15
LAW NOT DEFINITE,
IS COURTS. OPINION
Judge Pugh Believes ReguIa-
tons for Auto Headlights
Should Be Made Clearer.
PERSONAL BONDS TAKEN
IN CASES BEFORE HIM
Difficulty of Determining Sections
Where Dazzling and Binding
Lamps Are Forbidden.


Lamps Are Forbidden.
This regulation as to bright lights on
vehicles Is too broad and can easily be
nisconstrued. It ought to be made def
nite.. declared Judge Pugh In the Police
Court today, in connection with several
vases brought before him of automonil-
.sts having such lights on their ma
chimes
The law said that these lights must
rot be used in the business or congested
sections of the city. Now 1t is ques-
ton of where is business or congested
section. I think the law should apply
that these lights should not be used
within the fire limits. and then there
could be no doubt as to its meaning.
The terms should be more definite. and
the public ought to be advised when the
police undertake to enforce such a regu-
lation. This regulation has been IN
force for a number OF years, but II
has been allowed to remain dormant.
Zone person says one section of the
city is congested, and he has right to
use such lights in another section, while
another person will be brought in here
and say that section is congested, and he
use of such lights ought to be prohibited
" thin the city altogether. They ought
e. ne permitted only on country roads.
TNev are extremely dangerous to pedes-
iaas and other vehicles"
Case Under Consideration.
E!:sha p Taylor was charged with
.y.ng such lights as were dazzling and
ading to pedestrians" on 18th street
IL
-aceman R. F. West
Mr.. TAYLOR declared to the court that
1r number of years Park road has
-ca used by automobiles as the north
y boundary where such lights could
used, and said that if the police de-
rtment suddenly decided that it was
congested or business section automo-
lists ought to be given sufficient notice
the enforcement of the regulations.
The court held, however, that the law
ent into effect some time ago. and, al
-aough ii had remained dormant for some
he, it did not give the automobilists the
ught to disregard it
Judge Pugh said that in view of the
statement Of Mr.. Taylor that Park road
had been used as the northern point
where the lights could be used, he would
take 1t into consideration and ordered his
personal bonds taken.
Not Forbidden, He Says.
Fulton r. Gordon of 2of9 Park road
who was arrested on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. by Policeman C. E. Mansfield on
similar charge, declared that the lights
on his automobile did not come under the
Law. He said that they were sidelights
and not headlights.
Then it 10 a question of what is
headlight and what is a sidelight?' said
the court
on his automobile. but declared they
were not lighted Saturday night when
he was arrested. He said. further, that
The small lamps which he had burning
we're not headlights.
They are headlights II they are the
only ones lit on the front Of your
machine" said the court.
Al In the other case. Judge Pugh held
that sufficient warning had not been
gifsn the automobilists Of the enforce
nent Of the law. and Mr.. Gordon was
allowed to depart after his personal
bonds had been taken The policeman
testified the lights threw rays of about
twenty yards.
Other Charges Heard.
George c. Altemus. charged by Po-
liceman l. v. Cox with having com
mitted = similar ofrense. contended TO
the court that where he was arrested.
at 18th and Meridian streets north
west. it Ia not a eongested or business
section. and therefore did not come
under the law.
fudge Pugh, however, held that there
ere houses in that section and that
streets are used by pedestrians and
'c ser vehicles there. and therefore was
der the meaning of the law He
ain went into the Interpretation of
law and told the defendant that
hz - NvvI~,
uld be to designate outside the fire
-lits for the use of such lights Mr.
-emus was also allowed to go on his
rsonal bonds.
The personal bonds of Joshua Pearson.
colored chauffeur. who was charged
18th a similar offense on PENNSYLVANIA
'enpe. also were taken.
Charles @. Page, who was charged with
We same offense did not appear when
his name was called In court his COL
.ateral of s. was declared forfeited.
Decision Not Precedent.
In Diminishing the cases in the Police
court today Judge Pugh said that It did
not mean that he would allow all auto
mobiles to go free in the future under
milar circumstances. He said that
when such a regulation has been allowed
to remain dormant sufficient time ought
10 % given UoloFc slIlCt SliIoTCtiilSHt ~
commenced. and that in the future such
charges Will be dealt with accordingly.
omcial approval was given this aft
ernoon by Commissioner Siddons to q
plan to prevent the use OF gfaring
headlights on automobiles driven on
any lighted street in the city. Cor
poratfon Counsel Syme will Immediate
~ begin preparation of a regulation
on the subject which may be present
ed TO the Commissioners for adoption
before the end of the week. The regu-
satfon may be included In the revised
traf8c rules which the Commissioners
exnact To promulgate within the next