Evening star., 1917-10-28
SEE TRAFFIC PERIL
UNDER NEW DRYLAW
Prediction of Road Accidents
Due to lntoxicants Acquired
in Baltimore.
POLICE TO BE ON GUARD

Many persons who are not in sym
pathy with the dry Law are heard dis
cussing the probability of danger on
the washington-Baltimo boulevard
after October 81, due to Intoxicated
persons driving automobiles from Bal
timore. the nearest place where intoxi-
eating beverages may be obtained after
Washington goes dry. II is predicted
in police circles that many automobile
parties will visit Baltimore and that
while they are in the Monumental city
| liquor is likely to now rather freely. IL
also is said those who attempt to drive
| home in their automobiles while intox-
| icated may find prison bars awaiting
| them.
| Maj. Pullman will enforce strict COM
| pliance with the provision of the new
law against intoxicated persons operat-
ing automobiles or other vehicles. Not
| only Is he anxious to enforce the Law
but the law itself makes such enforce
ment obligatory. and provides severe
penalty for failure to do SO.
Dry Law Safeguards.
! 1t is said that much thought was Civ
dry law by its trainers. They were
| told just what might be expected with
Washington dry and Baltimore wet. and
/ II was pointed out that only the impo-
vent serious accidents. possibly fatali-
ties, from the operation OF vehicles by
! Intoxicated persons.
/ Not only did the lawmakers provide
| penalties for offending motorists. but
they were careful to include drivers OF
all other vehicles. as Is shown in sec
tion 20 Of the act. which reads:
IF any person while in charge OF
I - xfDA ~ xvh - a \
conductor. or brakeman of a car or train
of cars, or while in charge of any street
| car, steamboat, launch or other water
/ craft, or while in charge OF or operat-
the District Of Columbia shall be In
i toxicated, he shall be guilty of a mis-
+, demeanor, and II convicted shall be
punished by hne of not less than $25
payment of said fine shall be imprisoned
| in the District jail or workhouse for
not exceeding three months, or both nne
and Imprisonment in the discretion of
the court.
Duty of Commissioners.
i The following section provides that
1t shall be the duty of the District
i Commissioners to enforce the provi-
!, sions of the safety nrst section Of the
act. the law says:
aaThey shall detail qualified members
Of the police force to detect violations alton,
promptly all knowledge or informa-
tion they may have concerning such
violations together with the names
of any witnesses by whom they may
be proven to the corporation counsel.
but 1t shall be the duty of all mem
bers of the police force to detect vio-
lations of the act and to promptly re-
port any information or knowledge
concerning the same to the corpora
ton counsel. together with the names
Of witnesses. by whom such violations
may be proven, and the corporation
counsel shall bring such alleged viola
tors of the law to trial with all due
idiligence."
! Anticipating the possibility OF fail
/; ure on the part of the police at some
i future time to enforce the provisions
of section 20 of the act. the lawmakers
added a clause providing punishment
for such failure as follows:
"If any such officer shal fail to COM
ply with the provisions of this section,
! he shall upon conviction be fined in
any sum not less than 500 nor more
| than $500: and such conviction shall be
person. and the court before whom such
| conviction Is had shall In addition to
imposition of the fine aforesaid order
| and adjudge the forfeiture of his said
fetal duty in the enforcement of this
act any official herein referred to may
be removed by court action"
Will Enforce the Law.
/ It is Mai. Pullmans intention 10 have
members of the traffic squad pay par
| ticular attention to instances of in
/ toxicated persons operating automo-
/ biles and to urge the imposition OF Sc
/ we're penalties.
In conversation with Star reporter,
Mai. Pullman said he was heartily in
favor of the safety first provision OF
| the law. He thinks imposition OF a
! few severe penalties will have the ef-
! feet of making bibulous drivers give
serious thought to the danger incurred
/, by drinking intoxfcants while they are
in charge of vehicles OF any kind
| Realizing the importance of thor
oughly acquainting members OF the
/ force with the provisions OF that par
ticular part Of the law. Maj. Pullman
/ will call their attention TO II In one OF
a series of bulletins bearing on the
law. the early enforcement of which,
| he states. means SO much to the peo-