Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-03-13
MANY AUTOISTS
TAKEN IN sudden
POLICE CAMPAIGN
Drivers, Resident and Tourist,
Given Suspended Sentences
... BY MonSarrat
NOTED MANUFACTURER
SAYS SIGNS LACKING
w. R. Timken Points Out That
Technical Traffic Rule Vio-
lation Could Be Avoided

lSJS VINO OFlFe on IHe WTOHS Sl0e -Di
Kalakaua avenue, carried out by reg,
ular and specially detailed traffic po-
licemen ever Sunday, brought into
police court this morning large mum
Der OF tourists as well as residents.
Pleading in most cases ignorance
Of the "right-hand drive" regulation
and also pleading technically guilty,
they were given S. fines with suspend.
ed sentences of Is months by Magis-
trate Monsarrat But while they adj
mitted they were on the wrong side
Of the boulevard, several of them de-
clared that they were justified in TAX
ing the route they did, inasmuch as
no signs point the way and the right
hand drive" regulation is neither uni
versal where autos are driven nor
strictly observed in Honolulu.
Among those taken in the police
drag-net yesterday morning is one of
the best-known manufacturers of auto
accessories in the United States, w. r.
Thinker of Canton, Ohio, head of the
great Thinker company which has a
number of factories and makes axles
and roller bearings. He has been here
on visit for three weeks, resting
quietly, and will leave this week for
the mainland.
When stopped by a traffic officer
yesterday, Mr.. Thinker pointed out the
absence of signs to warn visiting auto
lists, and when approached by a Star
Bulletin reporter this morning, he re-
peated his statement and suggested
that as a matter of convenience to
visitors, some such signs should be
put up at each end of this much-trav-
eled boulevard
"How is a visitor to know he is
transgressing your law" he asked 1T
is true that the right-hand drive is
the rule in most mainland cities but
not in all by any means. In many
cities and towns where there is a
large tourist traffic both sides are
used. For instance, have recently
come for Coronado, and there on an
avenue something like this of yours,
driving is allowed on both sides.
you get tourists. here from all over
the world and in European countries,
in Cairo and elsewhere in numerous
places frequented by tourists-driving
is allowed on both sides. Suppose
these tourists come here. They see
no signs, they see one side of the boule-
vard-it happened to be the left-hand
side in my case yesterday-smooth
and well-oiled; they see alsp many
cars ahead of them going down the
left-hand side. They take it for grant
ed that it is permissible to drive on
this side-and then they are arrested,
as people were yesterday.
aNow, signs don't cost much. II Ho-
nolulu had sign up Drive on the
right-hand side as the law directs.
people would do it. They would OBJ
serve the rule or If they didn't they
ought to be arrested and made to
serve a term in Jail"
Regulation Hasn't Been Enforced.
Mr.. Thinker pointed out that since
he has been here he has seen many
o1toists on the left side of the street
and also that the seaside of Kala-
kaua avenue has been put in good con.
6Ition while the other side has not.
until both sides are kept smooth |
and oiled. the autoists will be tempt |
ed to take the left side coming down |
town. ne emphasized.
His suggestions were made in ne
spirit Of asperity, but he said, because |
he feels that many other visitors are
situated as he is in respect to driving
on the local streets.
'T'll admit thar autoists as a rule |
drive too fast he said. Il myself am /
proof that accidents viii occur. At |
that he barred his head and showed |
scars on his forehead, which were |
sustained in a collision in a fog four
months ago.
efd be perfectly willing to buy signs |
II Honolulu is too poor to pay for |
them, but hope that isn't the case"
he said. concluding with smile.
Police Satisfied.
Civilians and army men, tourists |
and residents, rich and poor, were
in the flock of those call
ed into the police court this morning
as a result of the police campaign.
The police say that the drivers should /
know that in an American community |
they must drive on the right side of
the road. In view of the frequent vio-
lations of the rule on Kalakaua ay-
enue, the police propose to make fur
their arrests If necessary
1--WE are satisfied with the fine and
of sentence Judge Monsar.
rat is giving" Deputy Sheriff Asch
said. 1T is a warning to the autoists
mat they must observe our rules and
4 they don't know what the rules
are, they should aequaint themselves
before driving here"
The names Of those who violated
he traffic ordinance, as they appeared
N the police court calendar today.I
ire as follows:
Cant. Hartshaw, w. r. Thinker. c.
|. Johnson, J. C. Kelly, Charles Pan
raIina. P. J. Reed. G. b. Carpenter,
i o. Eames. L. Crozier, S. C. Kenne.
liz. Capt Hinkle, Capt Mcdonald, j.
Suild. A. Hamburg. G. Togo, G. H.
3uttolph. Lieut. Watrous, E. Ruther !
ord, H. E. Smith. F. j. Cation. ]. E.
Burns. A. b. Arleigh, w Frost, |. J.
5urd. w. V. Kolb, +. Gerrick, G. b.,
Fox, A, Il, Shepard, Col, Kenyon, 7