El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-05-27
JITNE. ORDINANCE
To BE MODIFIED.
Bond Reduced to $1,000; the
Mayor Says Council Alone
Prepared Ordinance. -

n u1AAA VI eANNN per Gar - nA E'----N-
for in the new ordinance for the reg
ulation of jitne cars. and drivers VIII
be restricted to specified routes. The
ordinance, now receiving its maj
touches, viii probably be passed az a
special meeting OF the city council this
afternoon.
Before a gathering Of nickel car
owners and drivers who filled the cOun-
ell chamber, mayor Tom Lea read the
draft Of the new ordinance, designed to
take the place Of the ordinance passed
by the Kelly administration, which
never became operative. Before taking
up the reading Of the document he
made a brief Statement to the effect
that the council was not seeking TO
iegislate the jitne out OF business
Not to he s'rOhibitIve.
1T Is the desire Of the council, first
to regulate, but in regulating we do
not wish to do anything that will put
you out Of business" he said. The
council and the council alone has pre-
pared this ordinance" The statement
was received with applause.
Following the reading Of the pro-
posed ordinance, mayor Lea announced
that the council was ready to hear OBJ
Jections and suggestions He stated
that the provision providing for an in
demnity bond to protect passengers
had been purposely left out until the
views OF owners OF jitnes could be
heard from, and would be glad to hear
suggestions.
Eugene Harris Represents Drivers.
Eugene L Harris. representing the
Public Service company and "A number
Of independents. stated that he objected
to the provision requiring drivers in
taking out their licenses. to designate
the routes over which they desire TO
operate and compelling them to oper-
ate only over those routes He stated
that on occasions. the car owners would
like to deviate from their routes in or
der TO secure patronage, as for in
IL
The street car company, he declared.
was not restrained from taking cars
off one line and putting them on an
other, when travel was heavy on one
line.
Wish to Give Service.
Mayor Lea stated that the object Of
the ordinance is to give the public ser
vice and for that reason the clause
requiring operation between certain
termini and over certain routes had
been inserted.
Mr.. Harris stated that on the ques-
ton Of bond. THE people he represent
ed were willing TO give bond. If il
could be made. Under present cOndi-
tions, however. he did not see how
the jitne owners could make arrange
ments, as bonding companies would not
bond those who have no property, and
most Of the operators Of cars are not
heavy property owners.
Bonds Smss=zTied.
Mayor Lea stated that the council
had been led 10 believe that il proper
regulations are enforced, the question
Of bonds would be simplified- Mr. Har-
ris responded that If the present tra1-
fic ordinance and the provisions Of
the proposed ordinance are enforced
the bond will not be necessary
Mayor Lea then took occasion TO out
line the ideas Of the council. We be-
lieve." he said, that the $4,000 bond
required by the old ordinance would be
prohibitive and our idea is bond OF
$1,000 for each car As TO the nature
Of the bond. il is our idea. that the
ordinance should provide for the giving
OF either a personal bond or an insur-
ance bond"
Bonds Heavy for Big Companies.
H r Gamble representing the Jitne
thought that, in the case Of
large companies, il would not be neces-
sary to give $1,000 bond for each car
The Jitne company, he stated mas
some 80 cars in operation That would
thought that a SIS. 200 bond would meet
every requirement in 2 company OF
the size OF the Jitne company.
1T would occur to me that the
would be to make bond" said mayor
Lea. 1T is the small man who should
receive first consideration If we re-
quire $1,000 bond for each car, every
man viii be on equal footing"
The Revised OrczEanee.
The ordinance, as read at the meet
ing. provides for a license fee of $50
per car. Drivers are required to pass
an examination as TO their ability TO
properly drive a car. A grade Of %
percent is required No person under
is years OF age shall drive a car IN
less he shall have resided in the city
six months preceding the filing OF ap-
plication for a chauffeur's certificate
Drivers must operate between the
termini fixed in the license, and each
car must carry a sign, both in front
and in the rear, stating the route
Drivers are required TO drive to the
end Of the route and must operate over
their route eight consecutive hours,
except on Sundays. Drivers cannot re-
fuse to carry passengers.
Cars must stop on the near side OF
the street on the right side and must
not stop at other points between
blocks.
For any violation Of the ordinance
the fine shall not exceed $500. All
funds collected for licenses, fines, etc,