South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-12-16
LITTLE LENIENCY
FOR MOTORIST Is
POLICE ATTITUDE
Kline Issues Ten Day" Order
But State Officials to
Act at Once.

II Peter y Kline 20 continue as
chief % the South Bend police de-
partment after the Carson regime
ends with the dawn OF a new year
VIII he be renamed in that capacity
by Mayor-sIsct Eli +. seebirt7 See
Dirt thus far has been silent con-
corning his department heads. Kline.
90 r. known. has for several months
been candidate for the chiefs
badge under the new republican ad-
ministration. But nothing official
has been given out.
However. Chief Kline. when ap-
preached Thursday by a reporter.
officially declared that ne would
grant motorists but 10 days IN 1922
in which 20 speed over the streets
~ the city with a 1921 state auto
mobile license. After Jan. 10. he
wiIl prosecute all traffic law viola
tors.
Maybe He Forgot.
Seebirt takes his oath as mayor
and lifts the reins from the hands OF
Mayor Carson on Jan. 2. Kline's at
titude and unguarded statement
Thursday night indicate that he Is
not 90 reIinquish his authority as
I0llce chief when Seebirt leaves
his law Office 20 become mayor, and
carson quits as chief executive 20
re-enter the practice OF dentistry.
Yet. maybe Kline forgot that the ad-
ministratlon was 20 change by others
~ the same political faith assuming
the city's leadership. 90 was suggest
ID
But. whether Kline continues or
resigns. his order against operation
~ motor vehicles after Jan. 10, un-
less the new license plates have re-
placed the old. viii probably be en-
forced by Mayor Seebirt and his sub
ordlnates Omcials take oaths 20 en-
force state laws. and occasionally
n police chiefs order. when 81 tends
90 law enforcement. even though
given before he leaves office. is re-
spected
Kline's ruling. however. will per
init motorists to motor only over the
streets OF the city and not outside
the city limits. Confiiction arises
with the announcement by the State
about. that at 1 o'clock on the morn
ing of Jan. ]. any motorist driving
an automobile with q 1921 license
will be arrested.
1--WE mean business with a capt.
tai B." said Gordon Otstot Of the
Indiana State Motor Vehicle Police
and we are going 10 begin that
business. AT daybreak, Jan I. 1922.
There's no excuse for people not
having their license plates by that
time. This office opened Thursday
and that gives vehicle owners IS
days I'm which 90 procure their
plates. I'm absolutely serious when
7 say that we mean to invite down
20 the station all those who appear
with motor vehicles without a 1922
license their visit TO the sta
tion may not be enjoyable"
The issuance Of license Plates
was begun at $3.50 O'Clock Wednes-
day morning at the Office OF william
Happ. realtor. 2O7 S. Main St, and
since Peter Oberly. connected with
Hinkle'a garage. this city. trium-
phantly carried Off the first license,
there has been a continuous line
moving slowly past the three young
ladies who put applicants through
the process Of obtaining their 1922
plates.
Two hundred licenses were Is
sued wednesday, and officials ex-
press the opinion that about that
number will he called for every day
up until Jan T. The office. however
viii be open 60 days. so that there
viii be an opportunity for those who
find themselves unable 20 get TO the
Office before the first Of the new
year.
But As It Is"
The cards and containers issued
with the plates viii also be neces-
sary. according 20 the state police. If
one IS not 20 run the risk Of arrest.
We're going 20 watch that too. %
said officer Otstot. and those with
out cards VIII be accorded the same
treatment as those without new IL
ceuses When we establish an office
right here I'm the district and make
90 50 very easy for people 10 get
3hcir plates and cards. then there is
no excuse for their being without
IL they had 20 send 10 indianapolis.
"a IN the past. and then wait for
weeks before receiving their plates
we might be more lenient. but as it
ls-F
From this e would appear that
where viii be 10 DAYS during which
the clever can wear their 1921 IL
ceuse plates" IL they so desire. and
still escape arrest. For 10 days aft
or Dec. 81 motorists with 1921 IL
Ceuses viii be warned" by the To-
cal police. and, n they escape the
eyes OF the state police. may proceed
ON the even tenor Of their way.
However. should they be so unfor-
tunate as 10 fail into the hands Of
said state police. the promised "tts-