The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-09
BARBER DECIDES ID CURB SPEEDERS ON STREETS 0F THE CITY
Drastic Orders Issued to Chief Eagan and Re- cOrder Davis Is Asked A
 to Impose Fines

Commissioner Arlie K. Barber ha his ire aroused yesterday on the ques tion of automobile "speeders" runnin down pedestrians, and he promptly die tated statement to his secretary em bodying views on the matter.
 The new commissioner also gay written orders to Chief of Po.aee Mar tin Eagan and Recorder David J. Davi on how they should proceed to stam out the evil of the "speeder." The state ment follows:
 Since my investiture in office l have been confronted with a great many complaints of all sorts about different matters concerning the public welfare, but I have no hesi- tancy in saying that by far tho greater number of these complaints concern the reckless driving of au- tomobiles through our crowded streets. Only about g. week ago one of the most estimable ladies of our city was run down and killed This morning young boy, out carrying his newspaper route to support his widowed mother, was killed on South Twentieth street. The situa- tion has reached sucn stage that some drastic action must be taken.
 am issuing an order to the chief of police to instruct every officer of every sort in connection with the police department of the city of Birmingham to rigidly en- force the city's ordinances with ref erence to reckless driving. I am. also. asking our city recorder to assess maximum penalties In oth- CT words, l propose to break up this practice even if I have to dou- ble our police force to do it, and I call on all owners of automo- piles to cooperate with me in this matter.
 Tt is said that in the palmy days of Rome the patricians drove through the crowded streets in their chariots, caring nothing for the people who were trodden be- meath their horses feet. I know that this is not the feeling of those owning automobiles in the city of Birmingham, but 1t seems the re- suits are the same, and I propose to use every power of my office to see that the rights and safety of the people be fully protected" The orders to Chief Eagan and tc Judge Davis are also brief and to tn, point. The letter to Chief Eagan i. given herewith:
 Dear Sir: The automobile traffic il the city has reached such stage tha feel some drastic steps must be taker to protect the lives and limbs of oul I have had several complaint: about the reckless driving in the neigh borhood of Avenue H and Twentieth street in the evenings. I would sugges that you put two motorcycle men oI duty on the north side of Twentietf street between the hours of and every evening until this practice O speeding and reckless driving is broker up. If you cannot handle the situation with the present force of men at you command, will swear in, if necessary as many additional men as you need am asking the cooperation of the re corder in this matter, and I feel sur, that he will see to 1t that heavy fine are meted out. Respectfully,
 "ARLIE BARBER,
 Commissioner" Following is the letter of instruction to Recorder Davis:
 "To Recorder David J. Davis.
 Dear Sir: l would call your especia attention to my letter-order appende, to Chief Martin Eagan wit reference to the violation of our traf fic laws, which is elf-explanatory. am sure you will give me your heart cooperation in this matter of sue grave importance, and thanking you il advance, beg to remain. respectfully,
 "ARLIE BARBER,
 Commissioner That a stricter enforcement of tn automobile laws of the city is contem plated is assured by the statements o Commissioner Barber.