Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-04-21

Years ago, when motor cars were an
uncommon sight on the highways,
every dog encountered while a motor
list was taking a trip would come out
barking and yelping at the strange
sight and would snap at the tires.
Often the dog would go too far. put his
head under one of the wheels and stop
barking-usually forever, says a writer
in Motor Life.
Whenever this happened, the owner
of the dog, whether country farmer
or city resident would suddenly real
ize what a valuable dog he had possess
ed. If he had paid $40 for the dog he
would be sure that because of his ten
der care and treatment it was worth
$50 at its decease. He would demand
that amount from the frightened
motorist, who, aware that as a motor
list he was persona non grata with
judge and jury. would dig down in his
pocket rather than face a possible law
suit.
Dogs Now Are Scarce.
Now hundred automobiles are seen
on the streets to one ccS. 1t is the dog
that is usually frightened now when he
sees motorcar approaching. But
what does the motorists do If the dog
follows the tactics of the olden days?
A couple Of weeks ago motorist was
driving down wet. slippery street near
his home A neighbor's dog ran out and
jumped at the front wheel Of the motor
lists car. AS a result the dog died. The
automobile, however, which was a light
one, was caused to skid by the weight
of the dog against its front wheel 1t
collided with an ice wagon and was
\ h 81 hn no.
demanded that the motorist pay him
the value of the dog. The owner Of the
motor car demanded that the dog own
er pay him for repairing the car. Both
declined. The court and jury gave
judgment to the motorist when it was
shown that the dog had the habit OF
swapping at passing vehicles. If this
had happened ten years ago the motor
list would have paid for the damage and
the dog.
Looked Upon as Joke.
The automobile when it first appear
ed was looked upon as moro or less Of a
Joke. Consequently, 1t was not treated
Among the early laws AFFECTING auto
mobiles is the following put on the
statute books Of Kansas in March. 1903:
Nothing in this section shall be con-
the prerogative of any political chauf-
feur to run an automobillious land
wagon at any rate he sees At, compati-
BILE with the safety of the occupants
thereof; providing. however. that not
less than 10 or more than 20 ropes be
allowed at all times to trail behind this
vehicle, whom in motion, in order to
permit those who have been so fortu-
nate to escape with their political lives
an opportunity to be dragged to death:
and provided, further. that whenever
mangled or bleeding political corpse
pleads for mercy. the driver of the We
hicle shall. in accordance with the pro
visions of the bill. Throw out the life
line"-Kahsas L. 1903. Chap. 81. Page
116.
AS tho motorcar increased in num-
bers, however, it was no longer regard
ed as joke, and tho courts even were
disposed to class it with ferocious ami
mails and dangerous weapons.
About this time the court Of appeals
Of Georgia handed down a decision in
tho case of Lewis VS.. Amorous, which
contained a learned opinion as follows:
Georgia Courts Decision.
at is insisted in the argument that
automobiles are to be classed with