Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-06
HEADLIGHT ORDINANCE
MEETS WITH APPROVAL
Council Adopts Ordinance Requiring
Use OF DINNERS on Auto.
mobile Lamps.
DAZZLING GLARE is DANGEROUS
Many appropriations Are Approved,
Including Purchase of Several New
City Automobilcs-Site Acquired
for Woodland Heights School.

In the lace or n sharp opposition and
after an hours spirited debate, tho
Common Council. last night, by a vote
of 10 to 4, passed an ordinance intro
duced by Councilman English prohib-
iting the use in the city of binding or
dazzling headlights. by automobiles.
trucks or motorcycles.
The ordinance. when It was intro
duced several months ago, was made
the object of attack by automobile in
forests which objected to its passage
unless vehicles of every dcscriptIon
were required to carry lights at night
Automobile men, while approving of
the dimming OF headlights, told the Or
dinance Committee that to enforce
such a regulation without at the same
time requiring wagons and all other
vehicles to carry lights at night. would
produce a more dangerous traffic con-
dition than now exists.
Under the stress of this and other
opposition tho measure was referred
to the Police Board where il lay for
months without action. AT the last
meeting OF the Ordinance Committee
tho measure was called up by Coun-
Gilman English and recommended for
passage after short talk By it's
patron.
BATKINS SAYS CITIZENS
WE'RE NOT GIVEN HEARING
Councilman Batkins. w is prcsi-
dent of the Richmond Automobile
Club, attacked the ordinance last nigh.
bringing tho same objections that were
laid before the committee by tho auto
mobile men several months ago He
directed attention to tho fact that tho
Ordinance committee invited no auto
| mobile men to it's last meeting when
tho ordinance was considered, lie. wing
the Council with the impression that
he regarded the latest DEVELOPMENT as
an effort to railroad the measure
! through.
Councilman Jones. representing tho
| Ordinance Committee. took umbrage
ut the insinuation that his committee
had been guilty of rushing n measure
through without giving citizens an
ample opportunity 70 be heard. re-
| questing Mr.. Batkins to substantiato
his charge or withdraw 1t.
II have nothing to take back" re-
sponded Councilman Batkins. promptly.
II repeat that the Ordinance Commit
tee disposed of this ordinance without
notifying anyone in advance that it
would consider the matter at its last
meeting. The facts speak for them
selves"
DAZZLING HEADLIGHTS
ARE CONSTANT MENACE
Councilman English rose TO warm
defense or the measure which he said
city in the country. The prevalence
OF the brilliant and dazzling headlight
on city streets at night. he said, was
n constant menace to the life OF citi-
zens and the danger should ! re-
moved.
The ordinance as passed requires
automobiles to provide themselves
with appropriate dimming devices to
reduce the direct glare OF the head
lights. Failure 10 comply with the or
dinance Is made punisha BILE by fine
of from 81 to So for the frst offense.
Among those who fought the passage
of the measure was President Peters.
Tho Council concurred unanimously
In the resolution granting thirty DAYS
leave OF absence, with pay, to City
Attorney Pollard.
MANY APPROPRIATIONS
MEET WITH APPROVAL
Other measures passed by the Com
| mon Council last night follow:
Establishing the building line on the
south side of Marshall Street between
Thirty-fourth and Thirty-ffth Streets,