Norwich bulletin., 1920-08-28
WESTERLY

Howard Schott, of Providence. took shot at speeding in his high-powered Standard and evidently depended upon providence as to the ultimate result, A week ago he drove his automobile at the rate of forty-fiye miles an hour at Watch Hill, regardless of the safety of self, his companion, or the public, and succeeded in his speed demonstration without doing bodily harm to any liv- ing reature. He knew he violated the law in exceeding the speed limit but ex- pected to get away with it. But the mo- torcycle cop of the Westerly police de- partment was on his job and placed Mr. Schott under arrest on the charge Of exceeding the speed limit, and without the additional count of reckless driv- ing. As MT. Schott would be incon- verienced if delayed by court proceed ings at that particular time, he was summoned to appear in the United dis trict court Friday morning, at the regu- lar session.
 Mir. schott arrived in Westerly ear ly Friday morning in his high-powered car, and was in the court room awaiting the hour for court opening. His case was called before the reading of the docket, and he pleaded guilty to the charge. In response to queries from Judge Oliver H. Williams, MT Schott said he had operated a car for five years and was thoroughly familiar with the traffic laws of Rhode Island. At the point where he made the speed that re- suited in his arrest, he said there was a clear way, and perhaps he did exceed the speed limit, even at tWenty-nVe miles. but did not believe he went at the rate of forty-five miles, though his car could go even faster with ease. He de- clared many others exceeded the speed + Pid hIIt was his misfortune to get caught.
 The court imposed fine of s35 and costs. which Mir. Schott paid to the clerk before the court adjourned, and lost no time in getting out of Westerly
 The Schott case was the only crimt- nal matter before the court. large civil docket was read and all these cases were continued for one week.
 Police Chief Brown has received pe- tition, bearing seventy-fve signatures, declaring that sewerage from the Ches- ter building, in Railroad avenue, was flowing into the catch-basin near the corner of Canal street, that as a result it had become a menace to public health, and asking that there be abatement of the nuisance. The petition will be hand ed over to Dr.. Samuel c. Webster su- perintendent of health, who will make Investigation
 It is said the Chester sewer pipe is connected with the pipe used in con neetion with the catch-basin, hence the almost unbearable N rnch that at times pervades that section of the town.
 Politics are being played, evidently, to undo the good work accomplished by Police Chief Brown, acting as superin- tendent of public vehicles, in relieving the congestion in Railroad avenue, oppo- site the railway station, caused by op- orators of jitneys, so-called. These jit- neymen actually parked their machines on the trolley tracks, and hawked for business from steam train passengers, while they stood on the sidewalk some fifty feet distant, as they are not per nitted to solicit business on railroad property Their action delayed the schedule of trolley cars, the terminal be- ing at that point The superintendent of vehicles put stop to this method on the part of the jitneymen, and they retail ated by driving their machines up and down that really congested section and 10 the general inconvenience of the pub lie
 Superintendent Brown stopped this ac- tion and specified the place where these offending jitneymen must park. His au- thority was questioned, and he took the matter to the town council. After thor ough discussion, the council approved the action of the superintendent and as- sured him of the backing of the council in all he might do to relieve the traffic condition. Under the law, the superin- tendent has full power to act without the advice and consent of the counsel, but as a matter of courtes wand policy the matter was presented to the council for approval or disapprovaL
 The iitneymen engased counsel, John Ferguson, Jr., representative in the gen eral assembly, and who aided in the election of the present council, all Of whom were not the regular republican nominees. but were elected on an inde