Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-17
Unfair, Say Many, of New
Restrictions to Curb
Accidents
HEARING ON FRIDAY
Trade Associations Will Be Rep.
resented to Discuss
Problems

The ordinances will not be permitted I,
pass Councils without first having wealth
cred the test of expert antagonlsm at tn,
public hearing before the Law COMMITTEE
in the Finance Committee chamber on Fri
day afternoon
/ At this meeting representatives Of many
Il associations directly and indirectly inter.
csted In the automobile trade in this city
| viii be present to object to many clauses
| In the ordinances as unfair to the automo.
| btlist, but at the same time these same
| associations will strenuously approve other
| sections of the prospective regulations as
Imperative to the safety of the public
Mayor Smith said that every one who
talked with him yesterday concerning the
| ordinances expressed himself In terms
of high praise for Director Wilson'S achieve
| ment and as of the belief that the regua-
| tions IL enacted into law would operate for
the greater safety of the public at large.
| Nevertheless. in automobile circles the
| drafts were attacked as inconsistent in
| many instances and as unfair In others
Although the Automobile Trade Associa-
| ton has had no opportunity to take official
! action concerning the ordinances. its presl-
| dent, w p. Herbert, said yesterday that
| the association would study them this week
and be we'll represented at the hearing on
Friday.
RIGHTS OF AUTOISTS.
Mr. Herbert declared he could see no
of the law who happen to be driving
motorcnr and violators Of the law who
happen to be pedestrians, and therefore
was opposed to the fluctuating penalizing
clauses in the ordinances, which provide
fines Of no less than S25 for voators of
the auto traffic regulations and a fine of
only 81 for pedestrians who break the law
by crossing n street in the middle of
block.
Speaking generally" said Mr.. Herbert,
II must say that the ordinances have my
approval, Cr l may say that the purpose
they have been drawn to serve has my
approval. l believe in regulation and
striction but while we doing 1t why
not regulate tre police?
I'VE automobile drivers are at the mercy
of these men who control traffic upon the
city streets. And we are to be placed fur
ther within their jurisdiction by these ordi-
nances. Yet the measures do not attempt
to correct very serious defect in the
supervision of traffic in the congested Sec
tions Of the city, and that defect lies in the
lack of any system or uniformity whatever
in the manner to be followed by traffic
police in signaling at intersections. Auto
mobile drivers know to their chagrin and
annoyance that this is true. There should
be some standard adopted by which alItraf-
fic policemen would be compelled to signal
traffic in the same manner. As II is today.
1t is too frequently impossible for driver
to know whether a policeman is signaling
the police officials look into this matter at
once and find some method of training these
men who handle the traffic. ,.-
FAVORS PARKING LAW
THE parking restrictions cannot be COM
mended too highly. Here on Broad street
we know that several secondhand dealers
have as many as 80 cars parked in the
centre of the thoroughfare at the same time.
They clog the street and are nuisance to
other automobiists
And while our association favors rea-
sonable regulation and will stand back of
Director Wilson in his effort to have the
major portions of his ordinances enacted
into law, let us not overlook the fact that
Philadelphia has fewer automobile accidents
and fatalities than any other city of its
size-and many of smaller population-in
the country. In the month of May, for in
stance, while 10 persons were killed in
Philadelphia, 40 were killed in New York.
Statistics from the other great centres of
population will show that Philadelphia has
been particularly fortunate in this respect"
While the automobile driving population
was digesting and discussing the elements
in Director Wilson's proposed ordinances,
District Attorney Rotan's yearly report was
made public, and was found to contain a
bitter arraignment of reckless automobile
drivers as we'll as an indictment OF "other-
wise prudent business firms which employ
incompetent drivers for their heavy motor
trucks from whose "reprehensible lack OF
experience many deaths have resulted"
That section of the District Attorneys re- |
port dealing with the automobile traffic sit
uation is as follows:
Certain situations arise from time to
time in the city where the cooperation of
this Office Is of especial value. At the pres
ent time the wilful and reckless driving of |
automobiles and auto trucks has caused so |
many deaths and injuries as to constitute |
public menace vigorous prosecution |
Of defendants charged with this offense is |
bound 10 act as deterrent, and l have ac-
cordngly directed my STAFF TO give special |
attention to matters of this kind coming on |
for. trial. | have also requested the |
magistrates. before whom preliminary hear
ings in such cases are held, to make their |
returns fit the facts that wherever pos |
sible defendant can be held on the more |
serious charge of aggravated assault and |
battery instead of simple assault and bat |
terry. The majority Of cases really rise to |
the degree OF aggravated assault and should |
be so dealt with, because il is obvious that |
where the charge against a reckless driver |
Is merely assault and battery. the bail is |
small, the punishment, when there is a con- |
yietion, may be light, and the defendant is |
often able 10 effect a civil adjustment In |
the matter and thereby end the criminal |
prosecution.
Where death has resulted from such
reckless driving, am pressing for speedy |
and vigorous trial in every case.
i am also at this time carefully consid- |
ering legislation TO be presented 10 the com |
Ing Legislature. My observation OF a large |
number OF these cases which have been |
tried by this ONCE is that the accident or |
death has resulted from a most reprehsn.
sible lack OF experience on the part OF the |
driver to whom an automobile or heavy |
autotruck has been intrusted by otherwise |
prudent business firms In many instances |
these nrms have, for their own interests
concluded TO discard their horse teams for |
motor vehicle, and have been willing 10 |
intrust IL, after but one or two lessons 10 |
man whose entire experience prior 10 that |
has been with slow-moying wagon A |
definite and adequate course OF instruction |
should therefore be provided by law
''Furthermore the punishment in such /
cases should follow the course which has |
been successfully operated in foreign cities. |
whereby Ia addition 10 the usual fine and |
imprisonment driver can be suspended |
from operating a machine for his first or |
second ohfense and Permanently denrivsd /