The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-24
4S CHAUFFEURS ON
WOODS BLACK LIST:
LICENSES IN PERIL
Police Commissioner Takes
First Step in Campaign to
Make Streets Safer.
SWAMI PREPARING TO
ASSIST IN MOVEMENT

yesterday that he had asked that the
licenses Of forty-eight reckless owners
and drivers Of automobiles be revoked.
This is the first step in a crusade the po-
lice officials are waging to make the
streets OF the city more safe for pedes-
trians. The Commissioner said he would
ask that the law be changed giving the
power to issue licenses to his depa rtment.
Az the law now stands the power Is d.
vided and the Magistrates before whom
Offenders are arraigned are not aware Of
the reckless methods OF many defend
ants.
Communications were sent by COM
missioner Woods to Commissioner OF LII
censes Bell, Chief Magistrate McAdoo.
Chief Justice Russell OF the Cour of
Special Sessions and Secretary of state
Hugo. The letters request the revocation
OF licenses as follows:
Nine taxicab chauffeurs who have
been convicted Of driving their cars
while drunk or OF attempting to escape
after injuries to persons or property In
violation of the motor vehicle law; eight
private chauffeurs who have been con-
victed Of like offences six taxicab chauf-
feurs who have been convicted three
times as speeders: nine private chauf-
feurs who have been convicted OF a like
offence; eleven owners who have beer
convicted three times as speeders. and
five owners Of automobiles who w
been convicted Of operating their cars
..htI. I.tt,l. .r rttnntnO nUnr altar in
juries to persons ar property in violation
of the motor vehicle law
Names Not Revealed.
In the cases of the taxicab operators
Mr.. Woods asked Commissioners Bell Il
revoke the licenses issued through tn,
~latter's department. In the cases Of the
private chauffeurs he asked Secretary
Hugo To revoke the licenses. Ia othel
cases. where the convictions were OBJ
taIned before a Magistrate. he asked tina!
official to tax up the matter with Mr.
Hugo. He also asked the Secretary u
State to refuse to issue registration mum
beers to owners of cars who have beef
convicted.
Commissioner Woods said he "A takel
this action because of numerous com
plants that there were a large numbe
Vi N'Al NllI u tNNt'o' ~
tors still running cars. IL. discussing tn,
subject Mr.. Woods said
This all goes To show hat the powe
OF licensing operators shoul'
be given 10 the Police Department. j
We had such power We would keep car,
indexes of all licensed operators and
conviction would immediately appear Of
the records. a. all reports from III
courts woul come direct to ~. BY thi
method we would be in "A position to kee
track OF all violators of the law and W
would have supreme power over then
W, could, IL we saw tit. suspend a vic
lator for a week or longer. We coul
also revoke licenses where the facts war
ranted such action.
II intend TO father n bill 10 be intro
duCed at the next session of the Legis
nature which | hope will correct the evil
complained of and compel automobile OF
orators 10 be more careful"
Commissioners Woods would not max
public the names of the persons who's
licenses he ant revoked.
swami to Aid Campaign.
Judge Swami, who will become Distric
Attorney OH January /, Is now at wor
on a system which he believes will max
the streets safer for pedestrians. Whe
ls assumes Once JUICE swami Will v
prepared to install a card index syster
which will record "A mans cOnvictio
for speeding or carelessness, with note
as to the character of the offence. To d
this accurately he may ask the Polio
Department to furnish him daily wit
all information concerning the arrests {
persons accused of reckless driving.
ut win be my aim said Judc
Swami. ito have the streets safe frol
reckless drivers of automobiles as we
as from every other sort of crimina
whether he be a gunman or "A highwa.
man. ! feel that every offender shoul
be Judged on his record rather than @
the specific crime.
II am not sure that the present Law
are adequate to meet the situation.
am sure, however, that the Law ougl
10 compel every man who drives an a,
tomobilc. whether chauffeur or owner,
have Il license. An automobile runnir
through the streets is at all times
potential source of danger and as sue
is SHOULD never be In charge of any OF
but n skilled operator.
"All lnfringements Of the motor "
hicle law will be vigorously prosecute
whether the carelessness results in
charge of ~manslaughter or simply one
reckless driving while drunk
Where death results from AN autom,
bile accident. Judge Swami says. he vi
have a separate investigation made
his office, and where criminal n~egligen,
u shown, he says. he will have a speed
trial OF the man accused.