Evening star., 1923-07-29
Ouer,Uork Causes Cycle Police
4. To Wink at Motorists Offenses
More Arrests They Make Longer Their
Time IL, COurt-Cet to 3 Hours
u, "a for Leisure.


motor cycle policeman and day in
court and one ceases to wonder why
minor traffic laws are not strictly
enforced in Washington.
It's human nature on the police
mans part to overlook a traffic vto-
lation when he can, for when the
policeman isn't on the street or in
the station house in reserve, he's
down at the Traffic Court. And the
more arrests he makes the longer
he stays at Traffic Court.
policemen, contented, a veteran of
the force points out, could make
Washington an ideal traffic city in a
few weeks All the motor cycle
policeman wants is little time to
get acquainted with his family.
Job Worth Losing.
Just to see how the system works
out a reporter for The Star did
trick of duty with a motorcycle
mana trick from 4 o'clock in the
afternoon until midnight. He de-
cided the motor cycle man has a job
worth losing.
Four o'clock and roll call is an
SW cTeu dL Ine station mousse. len
minutes later the men go out on the
street. The motor cycle man goes to
the station garage and fills up with
gas and oil. The reporter jumped in
the side-car, and out they started.
not forgetting to pull the box" at
4:20 Stopping moment at busy
corner, they watch traffic for a
while. and then start again. Several
cars are followed, but they used dis
cretion when they see the cop and
drop down to fifteen miles an hour.
Here comes one knocking out twenty.
lets him go. It's 4:40. The box must
be pulled again. for the motorcycle
men must report twice an hour.
Lets Offenders Go.
Now for the other end of the pre-
cinct Here comes an automobile
heading south, and there is danger
Of colfiding. The policeman has the
right Of way, but surrenders it. To
take that man in would mean just
another case and more time in court.
This happens several times. But the
cop let's them 60
Rambling along at eighteen miles
an hour, a big bus passes. Cop in
speedometer, 20. 22. 20, "a. 80 miles,
Three squares, four squares, FIVE
squares and a thirty-mile clip over
crossings. That's enough. This can't
be overlooked. The policeman fol-
lows the car to the terminal. The
policeman walks up to the driver,
asks for his permit, receives it and
starts to write down the name.
What's the big idea?" questions
the driver.
II wasn't speeding; at least. l
didn't know it," says the driver. But
the policeman doesn't hear him.
Drop by the station tonight and
leave collateral" directs the police
Pull Won't Help Any.
viii a word from Capt. - or
Sergt - help anyf" questions the
driver. Il used to pound a beat"
Not a bit. We have had COM
plants about these busses, and ii
falls on the man on the beat. No,
read your speedometer?"
THE speedometers are cut OFF.
Better get them connected" says
the policeman.
boarded. but the man stops and tries
to resume negotiations.
over to the nearest patrol box the
policeman rode.
the station. He gives the name and
address of the offending driver. Let
him leave $40"
Stopping at the patrol box, he
watches the passing cars. then to the
far end of his beat, then back
Speeder Taken to Station.
Two automobiles pass him. He is
going eighteen. A little more speed.
Both slow down for narrow pas
sage, and ones foot gets heavy. A
turn of the throttle on the handle OF
the motor cycle, and he is off again.
Two, three, four, five squares. with
the speedometer increasing all the
while.
THAT fellow has a cop spotter'
on his car, says the policeman. He'll
slow down in minute. But ne
doesn't The car makes a right hand
miles an hour. The policemen eases
a little more gas to her, opening his
cutoff and letting out a few loud
explosions. That sound wakes up
the driver. He looks sick. The po-
liceman points to the curb. The
Lets see your permit" 1t is pro-
duced and the policeman glances at
it. 1t Is a nice new one, and nice
new car.
Come on over to the station house
and get this" he directs, as he puts
the permit in his pocket.
The car goes to the station, the po-
liceman following
In the station. Man gives necessary
information for blotter. and police
man completes IT.:
Fast auto. Twenty-Five miles an
hour. Failing to signal at a turn"
How much? asks the offender.
Ever been arrested for speeding
before?" queries the desk sergeant.
mo; only for driving without
lights"
Not enough money, and. while the
man seeks financial aid by telephone,
the policeman and the reporter are off
again.
So goes the grind. hour after hour.
Cars are followed instantly. Many Of
speed of walking, stopping almost at
corners. and blowing horns, as long
as the policeman Is in sight. But he
isn't interested. He's just jogging
along his beat.
Wen go over now and look over
good parking place on his beat. where
there are no lights. He rides past.
All have the proper lights burning,
and are orderly.
1--WE will ride down to the end Of
the street and stop awhile. But
They're not violating any law, but
they must have guilty conscienceS"
In about ten minutes all Of the cars
have moved away.
Look. All Directions.
Doesn't seem to be much here.
Guess we had better ride around
awhile" he says as he moves again to-
ward the other end Of the precinct, up
and down streets looking all ways.
The patrol wagon comes In sight.
speeding along. 1t passes. loaded
with policemen. The motorcycle man
turns about and follows. A call had
been sent from somewhere for aid. He
stays with the wagon. But It turns
ont to be a false alarm.
Here comes a fellow on the wrong
side of the street, making little
speed. too.
"Get over. there" orders the po-