The Washington times., 1919-12-13
GUNS TO
END SPEEDING
SAY SENATORS
Sentiment CrystaI|izing in Favor
Of Jail Terms for Careless
Auto Drivers.

1t will be a sorry day for the speed
maniac" when the senate begins writ
ing drastic changes In the traffce
regulations for washington. with a
special clause aimed at the system
OF issuing automobile licenses.
Aroused over the recent death Of
two women, run down by automobiles,
the sentiment of the Senate has be-
come one of bitter antagonism to-
ward reckless drivers who ignore the
rights OF pedestrians in making the
streets of Washington unsafe. Senti-
ment is crystalizing in favor Of re-
strictions Of the most drastic kind,
with stin Jail sentences for careless
offenders.
When the District Committee meets
Monday to begin framing a law de-
signed to put an end to accidents, it
will have the authority of the Senate
to go the limit" Almost to q man.
the Senate Is in favor Of failing driv-
ers who kill pedestrians.
Should He Shot, He Says.
There are drivers In this city who
ought to be shot down just as a wild
animal at large should be shot down."
was the caustic comment of Senator
Myers, OF Montana
Senator Fletcher, of Florida, and
Senator Ashurst, of Arizona, who was
cowboy years ago, also urged the
pistol as a most effective weapon to
use against speed law breakers.
strong pressure Is being brought
to bear upon the District Commission
ers to urge drastic legislation re-
strfcting the issuance OF automobile
licenses to responsible drivers. A
resolution. which meets with almost
universal support in the Senate, was
adopted last night at q meeting of
the Safety First Association in the
Public Library. 1t authorizes the Dis
trict Commissioners to appoint a
board OF three experts to pass upon
examinations for permits to drive au-
tomobiles in Washington.
Two other resolutions also were
adopted. One appealed to the Sen.
ate to provide a penalty for violators
OF the District traffic laws. The
other requested the Commissioners to
create traffic court, along the lines
OF traffic courts in other cities.
Inc death of Mrs. willard, of Flori-
ua, daughter of q former member of
congress. from that State, aroused
the ire OF Senators who vouched In
dignant protest against violators OF
'he traffic rules In the District.
Neeo new Laws.
referring to the death of Mrs. Will
iard, Senator Fletcher said:
IL seems to me there must be Ado
uua'e ia"s already to meet a situation
IKE that. / do not know that VIC
have, but apparently there is . ne.d
OF additional and other laws or else
We need new coroners in the District
ana We need some new prosecutinr
officers. o'ihs
III were in party of people ex-
ercising my right to wait to get on
street car at regular stopping place.
IL we assembled in the street for the
purpose OF boarding the street car
ana an automobile were to come
speeding down the street toward that
group OF people. and man in the
crown should take out a pistol and
shoot the reckless driver down. and If
that man was prosecuted. and 7 wers
called on to serve on the Jury at his
trlal' would acquit him."
senator Ashurst of Arizona voiced
the same opinion. "A citizen will soon
have to arm himself with q pistol
and shoot some Of the drivers of the
city. who. with cynical, recgless dis
regard OF human life, run down old
men old women. and babes in arms"
declared Senator Ashurst.
Point to Latest Death.
These Senators were quick to note
today that since the debate in the
senate yesterday, another woman.
Mary Jackson, colored, died of in
juries received when she was knocked
down by an automobile. The incident,
they said, serves to emphasize more
than ever the need of drastic regula-
tion enforcement.
In 40 {ryN Of
huysen of New Jersey the evil will
continue unless some provision is
made to punish the offenders with
fine or Imprisonment, and unless we
have some responsible bureau to ex-
anime everyone who drives an auto
mobile in the city of Washington and
compel them to pass an examination
and compel them to show that they
are efficient and capable OF driving it.
You can stop this reckless driving
il you will simply enact law provid
ing for the examination of drivers
and licensing only responsible drivers
and by providing a strong penalty
clause of arrest or fine for those who
violate the law" he said.
Senator Sherman, chairman of the
District Committee, has assured Sem
ators that such law will be consid-
cred in committee next Monday, he
himself having initiated the move
ment. A bill by Senator Capper of
Kansas, already before the commit