Evening star., 1924-11-13

Jehu undoubtedly was the first
speeder, because the Good Book says
"he driveth furiously."
Since that time he has had many
disciples. A goodly number reside
here. Last year, to be exact. there
were 9,724 There are approximately
100000 licensed autos In the District,
and it will thus be seen that the
percentage Of speeders is entirely
too high
First Definite speed Law Cited.
The act Of December s, 1866 webb S
Digest, 313), was perhaps the first
definite speed law for the District
III. 1t shall not be lawful for any
person or persons to ride or drive
any horse mare or gelding, in or on
any street, avenue or alley Of this
city at q pace faster then a moderate
trot or gallop, or to make any at
tempt or trial of speed between two
or more horses, mares or geldings or
other animals Of the horse kind, in
or on any such street, avenue or
alley, under a penalty of not less
then $40 for each and every such
offense; and the party making the
arrest Of the person offending shall
be entitled to one-half of the penalty.
And If any person shall sustain an
injury in consequence Of fast riding
or driving in the streets OF the city,
the person or persons 50 producing
injury shall be liable to Imprisonment
In the workhouse for a period of not
less than 80 nor more than 80 days
in addition to the fines imposed under
the provisions of this section.
1t will be observed that the penalty
was not inconsequential. taking into
consideration the value OF the dollar
in those days The speed rate speci-
fed compares favorably with that of
the present day, taking into consid-
GRAFTON that the stoppage within a
certain space is about equal, with the
percentage perhaps in favor of the
auto.
Regulations Not Obeyed.
1t has been my observation that a.
large number of the violators Of the
speed regulations have no definite
idea as to the limits here. My exam
ination has brought forth replies In
dicating that they are anywhere
from to 80 miles an hour.
Section 8, act XII. of the police
regulations specifies the speeds, viz
Between intersecting streets not a
greater rate OF speed than 1S miles
an hour; not greater rate than 12
ing or connective highway or around
the corners Of any highway, and s
miles an hour in and out of alleys.
Outside Of parks and on portions of
highways between intersecting and
connecting highways, when there are
not more than two houses, % miles an
hour Is allowed"
Automobile trucks and other motor
vehicles used in hauling or deliver
tycr S,r1 a l.
ing capacity Of one ton or more, the
speed is reduced to II miles between
intersecting streets. miles crossing
intersecting or connecting highways
and miles In or out OF an alley.
Penalties for Violations.
To impress this speed limit upon
the readers mind it might be well to
cite the following penalties:
The penalty clause provides as
follows:
Upon conviction for the first Of
fense. fine not less than five dollars
(s5.00) nor more than fifty dollars
S50.00): upon conviction for the
second offense within one year from
the commission of the first offense.
fine not less than ten dollars $4,000
nor more than one hundred dollars
(S1O0.00) or Imprisonment for not
days. at the discretion of the court: ::
and upon conviction of the third Of
fense within one year from the COM
mission of the first offense. and for
any and all subsequent ofrenses, a
fine not less than fifty dollars
S60.oo) nor more than two hundred
and fifty dollars ts25o.0o). and I'M
prisonment in the workhouse for not
less than 80 days nor more than 6
months.
Please note that second convic-
tton within the year may draw a jail
sentence and upon a third conviction
within the year a jail sentence is
mandatory
Volunteers Friendly Advice.
AS piece of friendly advice, the
court would caution you to watch
your step-upon the accelerator
Perhaps it will surprise those en-
ploying chauffeurs, and who order
their drivers to go faster. that the
law can reach them for giving such
orders. And this Is as It should be,
because It would be unfair to fine
driver alone when he is obeying
orders Of his master and disobedience
would mean dismissal. So the law
also holds the owner riding with the
driver equally guilty. If the driver
Is inclined to be too speedy the
owner is supposed to have knowl-
edge of that fact and either repri-
mand and cause him to obey the speed
limits or discharge him.
The speed bug seems to bite every
class and condition of drivers. The
historic case OF Gen. Grant when he
was arrested for prancing his horses
down Pennsylvania avenue in excess
of a moderate pace or gallop is well
known. Since that time no Presi-
dent has been arrested on this
charge, although "some of our most
prominent citizens" have had that
distinction.
Speeders Classified.
The court, from observation, would
classify speeders into the following
classes: The thoughtless speeder. the