davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
SAFETY RESPONSIBILITY LAW
SEEN AIDED BY CALIFORNIA
Recent Decision of State Supreme Court
Will Have Far-Reaching Effect,
A. A. A. Declares.

The decision Of the California Su-
preme Court unfolding the provision Of
the State motor vehicle law whereby a
driver Is ruled of the road for failure
to pay a judgment for damages incurred
through his negligence will have far
reaching effect on safety and financial
responsibility legislation in the United
States and Canada, according to the
American Automobile Association.
National Enactment Seen.
Of1cials Of the A. A. A., which framed
the model fety-respOnsibility bill al
ready in effect, in whole or in part, in
IA States, as well as in the Canadian
provinces Of Ontario and Manitoba, and
now pending before dozen legislatures,
declared today that the California deci-
sion should pave the way for Nation
wide enactment OF this fundamental
safety legislation.
Commenting on the California deci-
sion and also on the progress of the
legislation in the various legislatures,
Thomas P. Henry Of Detroit, Mich,
president Of the A. A. A., said:
"One OF the pivotal provisions OF
ety-responsibility legislation is that
1t expels from the highway a negligent
driver who fails to pay damages legally
adjudged against him. The provision
was conceived as a powerful weapon
against the criminal and irresponsible
driver.
Lower Court Reversed.
1.-THE District Court of Appeals for
Los Angeles County held that the Cali
fornia law was unconstitutional, on the
ground that it Disseminated against the
poor man. Leading lawyers held that
there was no discrimination involved,
since the law applied to all operators OF
motor vehicles, but the case could not
be appealed, since it arose out of habeas
corpus proceedings. However, the prin-
ciples enunciated in the decision Of the
Court Of Appeals were brought before
the Supreme Court in another test case.
and that court has now ruled that the
Judgment provision Is entirely within
constitutional limitations.
Coming at this time. when many
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
Milady's Motoring
BY FREDERICK C. RUSSELL.

1t doesn't pay to go on the theory
that II you break a law the motor We
hicle authorities can get another.
doorstep as q gift for milady the nus
band, who had done the actual shopping
discovered that lot of extra equip
ment and Immediately called up the
salesman to protest. He wanted the
extras removed at once. While he was
phoning his wife took Of all her jewelry
her gloves and scarf and left her bag
on the table.
my dear. you don't look quite your
self" he observed as they walked to-
ward the car. You're so plain-looking
today"
Just like the car will be when thew
take of the trimmings!"
The manufacturers seem determined
to make life more and more pleasant
for the woman awheel. Consider. for
instance, the newer door-locking ar
rangement. She has but to set the con-
trolls on three Of the doors to lock them.
but on the fourth door she must use
her key. That prevents locking her
self out.
If you are lucky enough to have a
eternally washing 1t. Some chauffeurs
belong TO the old school and forget that
a well waxed lacquered body can be
busted with no risk of scratching. It is
particularly bad to wash a car when the
engine is still hot.
Paris may still set the style in WON
ems hats, but 1t keeps its eve on the
motorization OF the American woman.
Brims have no place where visibility is
such an important factor, and low tops
make high headgear distinctly passe.
If hats are going of the face" 1t Is be-
cause milady wants to see where she's
going. Paris knows her, or rather our
automobiles
Another of fildoms famous is pic
tured sitting at the wheel Of her new
car with her left arm resting on the
window sill-juSt as it should be. A
quick turn Of the wheel to the left and
her elbow Is free to move instead OF
jamming against the door, as would be
the case II she drove in a more "lady-
like" manner. May the ladies of the
silver screen continue to set the pace
in common sense.
The easiest way to tell how near YOU
are to the curb is to look ahead or be-
hind at the left side Of the parked cars.
"I have been changing the oil In nv
car every 500 miles, but now change it
every 500 miles," writes q woman who
is trying to cooperate with her car.
Would it be all right, later, to change
every 1000 miles2"
It is a curious plan most motorists
have Of being less generous with oil as
the car ages. In many cases It would
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
NEW AUTO INSURANCE LAW
LISTED FOR MARYLAND
Limited Compulsory Measure to
Become Effective on
June /.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
BALTIMORE. April ls.-Limited COM
pulSory automobile insurance will be
put into effect in Maryland on June l.,
under q bill passed by the State LegiS-
lature this week, which provides for
a State Motor Compensation Insurance
Commission to act in automobile acct
dents as the Industrial Accident Com
mission acts in the cases Of workmen
injured at their employment.
The bill requires the commissioner Of
motor vehicles to suspend the operating
Of all drivers convicted of driving while
drunk, Of hit-and-run driving, of killing
another person by reason of violating a
motor vehicle law and of all against
whom q judgment has been issued by
the courts following an automobile ac-
cident.
The license would be withheld until
the driver had secured liability insur-
ance in the sum of $4,000 for personal
injuries and $1,000 for property dam
age,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19

legislatures are considering the safety
responsibility bill, the California decision
will weigh heavily in favor of enact
ment,, since 1t practically eliminates the
constitutional bugaboo raised in some
quarters outside California by opponents
Of the legislation.
Indiana and Maryland have Just
joined the States in the safety-respon-
sibility column, and it is expected that
other States will do likewise. At the
same time States that have the law, or
parts Of 1t, are endeavoring to strengthen
1t through amendments in line with the
1880 revised A. A. A. bill.
New York Action.
THE New York Legislature, for in
stance, has just passed a ar-reaching
amendment broadening the scope Of the
insurance carriers, whose bond or insur-
ance will be accepted in cases arising
out of safety-responsibility statutes
AS a general rule the first automo-
bile financial responsibility laws enacted
provided that only the guarantee Of
insurance companies authorized to do
business IN the State where an accident
occurred would be accepted. AS q re-
suit the large stock companies were
placed in favored position, while large
ing insurance in f1rst-class mutual COM
pantes and reciprocal exchanges found
themselves without full protection In
some States. Provision for full recog-
milton Of such companies and the con-
ditions for such recognition from the
standpoint Of safety -responsibility re-
quirements was strongly recommended
by our national committee of II In the
1880 revision, already referred to. The
adoption of this amendment every-
where is matter Of business equity and
general fairness to the travelling public,
And New York State is to be conRra t,I-
lated on leading the way.
The statutes recently enacted BY
both Indiana and Maryland Of course.
follow the latest revision and take care
OF the travelling public carrying insur-
ance In reputable company, whether
change" -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
HEADLIGHTS DRIVE ON

Special Dispatch to the Star.
BALTIMORE, April ia campaign
against glaring lights on automobiles
and the practice of using only one
headlamp started this week and will
continue throughout the Spring and
Summer months.
Z. Austin Baughman, commissioner
of motor vehicles said the State police
have been ordered to pay special at
tention to headlight cases one night
each week. the night to be changed
from week to week.
THE menace of glaring headlights
markedly different Illumination in the
two lights, must b broken up" Mr..
Baughnan said.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
Nothing Doing.

The superintendent was interviewing
a prospective cab driver.
I'VE must have honest men," he said,
frowning at the prospect.
"Oh, I'm the very height of honesty"
admitted the driver.
Absolutely"
Absolutely"
What would you do II you found
500, 900 in your cab?"
What would I do? Why, nothing
for the rest Of my life.Ni
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
Most Obliging.

Filling station attendant--Now, sir,
shall check the oil?
Eccentric patron-Never mind, /
checked the oil.
Shall fill up the battery
No, filled the battery.
Wipe the windshield?
No, I'll wipe the windshield.
Fill the radiator?
Ne'mind, I'll flll the radiator.
Shall put air in the tires?
No, Ill do that--where's your gauge?
Right inside the door, and by the
way: II you take q notion TO cut your
own hair. you'll ind pair Of shears In
there, too.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
AUTOMOTIVE BRIEFS

FireStone Service Stores, Inc, Thir-
tenth street at K, one of the largest
tire stores and automobile servicing
establishments in the District, was for
mally opened last week, J. p. Skehan,
manager Of the company, announces.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19
BY Fl. CLIFFORD BROKAW,
Automobile Technical Adviser.

Automobile Technical Adviser.
With motor fatalities mounting into
the tens Of thousands each year, oppo-
sition is increasing steadily between the
general welfare and personal advantage
on the part Of drivers. Careful thinkers
are suggesting plans whereby legislative
and other measures will alleviate many
Of the present Ills of motoring and pre-
serve many of its advantages.
Most Inhuman Action.
The most inhuman action on the road
is that of the "hit-and-run" driver who
leaves his victim to exposure and death
while he sneaks away from all response
bllity. Concerted action and co-opera-
ton with the law against this offender
is necessary on the part of all who may
be near the scene of accident. 1t has
been suggested that there be the pay
ment of rewards In an amount not
exceeding 500 for the apprehension Of
offenders where another person Is in
jured or killed without q report Of the
accident being made to the proper au-
thorities This might encourage the
sense Of responsibility of the public to
such case and lessen the possibility of
the "hit-and-run" driver getting away
In this connection 1t has also been
J., proposed that peace officer should BE-
allowed to arrest without a warrant any
person going away without stopping
after an accident when the officer has
reasonable cause to believe the person
arrested committed q violation.
Ruin Driving Pleasures.
From the standpoint OF general driv-
ing, failure to signal intentions, cutting
blind corners or curves, reckless driving
and obStructing the normal passage Of
cars are still habits Of some motorists
which destroy all the pleasures Of driv-
ing for the rest OF the motoring popu-
lation. The abolition of these problems,
maintain some, Is not dependent upon
legal procedure but upon each driver
meticulously observing every rule for
good and safe driving conduct. The
example must furnish the contrast for
shaming into submission to good stand
ards the 'boor' who is being reformed"
Some individuals believe that a more
equal system Of automobile taxes and
fees would arise from part-year regis
tration fees and a special fee Of IS or
| so imposed for the registration Of auto
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
SENATE. HANDED
60-40. BILL
Staff Photo

A bill abolishing the 60-40 ratio
of D. C. upkeep, passed by the
House Saturday, reached the
Senate today, and, like other bills
sponsored by the Mapes COM
mittee, it was referred to the
Senate District Committee.
Public hearings on this measure
will be held by the Senate Dis
trict Committee, just as on the
four other measures passed by the
House as a result of the MapeS
committee investigation, Senator
Arthur Capper CRD of Kansas,
chairman, said today.
While for a number of years
the 60-40 ratio has not been ad-
hered to, its repeal was urged by
the House in order to avoid posi-
BILE complications.
In recent years Congress, IN
stead of assessing 40 per cent of
the sum appropriated for the Dis
trict, has. assessed a lump sum on
the U. S. Treasury.
Last year the Federal appro-
priation for the District was
$9,50O,000. This year, on the
recommendation of the Mapes
committee, only $6,500,O00 will be
appropriated.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
Pair Keep Wedding
Secret 10 Months

Announcement has just been
made of the marriage in MARI
be last February of John T.
O'Hara. 81, formerly of Chevy
Chase, Md, and Julia Tyler, a IT,
year-old high school student and
daughter of the Rev. Frank Ty-
Ter, of the Rockville Methodist
Church.
The young couple, without TAX
ing anyone into their confidence,
went to Marlboro one night in
February last. After obtaining
a marriage license, they were
married there and kept it a secret
for over 10 months. O'Hara is
employed in Rockville.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
Tip on Poison Fatalities
Wins $40 Avard

Jail while Walter Wolfenden was
being acquitted on charges grow
ing out Of the famous torch"
murder.
The story of an automobile
wrecked on the Grain Highway
when it struck a wandering bull
won fourth prize of So.
Six prizes of So were awarded
for the following stories: an
automobile accident on B st. S.
w.. near Capitol Hill; the re-
moval of an automobile from
the B. & o. tracks near the
Aqueduct bridge; the freak air
plane accident at the Washing,
ton-Hc Jcr airport in which the
pilot escaped uninjured; the ap-
pearance of Edith Riley in court
at the sensational trial of her
parents; the arrest of a Wash
ington man for driving while
drunk after he escaped uninjured
from a 30-foot crash down an
embankment. and the accidental
trapping of four customers in a
Clarendon store.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
A Continuous Struggle

Respect for law is the essential fact Of cviza
tion. Without lfe liberty and property insecure
Without it civilization falls back to the chaos and anarchy
of primitive times.
The history Of civilization has been continuous struggle
for law and order.
There may be debate as to the wisdom of the law
there only of conduct and that obedience to
the law while it exists
Our safety and happiness lies in obedience to law by
every and child within the domain of our re-
public and undermine respect for law without
being to that extent enemy to law and orderly govern
ment.
The only sound position for those who favor respect for
law take is that those charged with law enforcement must
enforce all the laws and all good citizens must obey all the
laws Neither exercise any right of choice in this mat
ter without placing themselves above the law
Those who do not believe in Government and the
their peculiar license.
Enforcement Is Keystone
Drespec for law has manifested itself in past mainly
by large corporations aggregatons of wealth. commonly
known big business This has been mistaken attitude
Law and order is the shield Of business and its only security
!" III fares the land to fastening ills prey,
Where wealth accumulates and men decay.
For Government official to refuse to neglect to
force valid enactment of the legislative department of Gov
erment to enforce mechanically half heartedy
to wink at its violation without justification sound
theory of government.
The Government will endure on rock of law enforce
ment, or it will perish in the quckands of lawessness
MY duty is clear. will enforce the law with all the
power possessed by the Government which at liberty to
call to my command"
The speaker Of these words Harry NJ Daughery The
occasion was the annual meeting of the American Bar Aso
citation, at Cincinnati Ohio August 81 1921 He appeared
the Attorney General of the United States the subject
of his speech was Respect for Law with his
tion from William Pitt Where Law Ends Tyranny Begins
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
FATHER IN JAIL
ANDPROV|DER
IS SICK
Good Fellow Editor UnCovers
Outstanding Case of
Christmas Need

The father is serving a five
year term in. the penitentiary.
But there is a wife and two
little children, father-in-laW
and aged grandmother back here
in Washington who, it seems to
the Good Fellow Editor, are be-
ing asked to pay more than
their share towards justice
After all, they were guiltless.
And Furnishing six persons for
one mans crime seems demand
ing a little bit more than the
legal pound of flesh.
The father-in-laW has been
supporting the little family. His
wages are meager but they have
peen sufficen. to keep the wolf
from the door. If he could have
kept on his feet this story, in
fact, would never have been
written.
More Bad News
But the very day the Good
Fellow Editor called at the hum
BILE little third story apartment
of the family the father-in-law
Che is the wife's tather) stag
gered home from the doctors
with the news he would have
to go to the hospital for an i'm
mediate operation. Far from a
young man and in bad health
he was, nevertheless, game to
the core. He told the Good Eel
low Editor:
Gust let me get out of the
hospital and back on my feet
and 1 can take care of 'em all
right"
But what is to become of them
in the meantime? There are
four generations, the aged grand.
mother (well over 8O) the help
less bread winner, the mother
and two little ones, age 18
months and three years.
The rent for their apartment
was paid up to Saturday night.
There is no money to meet it for
the ensuing weeks.
There was hardly a scrap of
food in the house, and babies and
aged persons to feed.
A Pitiful Spectacle
The family was, frankly, one
of the most pitiful the Good Eel
low Editor has yet encountered.
And brave, too. The father-in-
law was a man. In good health
he would be perfectly capable of
handling the problem. He has
been doing it. But, sick and or
dered to the hospital, what is he to
do?
The Washington times., 1931-12-21

The story of the death of two
men, one the son of the former
mayor of Charles Town, anu the
other the son of it's former chief
of police, and the critical illness
of two others from drinking a
chemical anti-freeze won first
prize of $40 in last weeks Wash.
ington Times NeWstip Contest.
When a telephone girl marries
a bus driver. that's an item for
the vital statistics column. but
when prominent debutante
marries a bus driver. that's news
For recognizing this fact, an alert
tipster was awarded tn second
prize of $40.
Third prize of SIS was awarded
for the dramatic story of a pris-
oner's escape from the Manassas
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
.SHOTGUNPR
. HINTS ARREST

Mystery cloaking the shotgun
death trap which was set in the
Hcaretaker's house in a cemetery
in Suitland, Md, and nearly cost
the life of John Havenner, one of
the occupants, was deepened to-
day when it was learned that the
door of the dwelling opened in
ward, thus slackening the tension
on the trigger as Havenner en-,
tered the house late Saturday
afternoon.
The Times regrets it was mis-
informed as to the location of
the caretaker's house in which
the gun was placed. 1t was not
in Cedar Hill Cemetery but in
the house across the road in the
Lincoln Memorial Cemetery.
TwO-String Theory Offered
Deputy Sheriff Tom Garrison
today advanced a new theory to
the effect that two strings were
used. the first to hold the gun
to the ceiling of the hall, the
second to pull the trigger and
fire the gun as it was lowered
by someone opening the door.
Police are still at loss to know
whether the shot was intended
for Havenner, or for his assist
ant, Hugh Cusick, who shared
the little house with him.
Garrison said today he expected
an arrest before night.
Cusick declared this morning
that someone shot at him last
night while he was walking
across the yard near the house.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
SMITH SCORES
RA|LROAD|NG
TAX BILLS
House District Committee In
First SeSSion-Bi-Fete
Measure Approved

The House District Commit
tee met today for the first time
since it's organization this ses-
sion and, after voting favorably
for the bill recommending De-
cember 26 and January ? as
legal holidays, voted to allow
the District of Columbia Bicen-
tennial Commission to incOr-
porate, and heard debate in re-
gard to extension of time for
delinquent taxpayers.
The Naples Committees action
in rushing several bills through
the House providing increased
taxation was condemned by Rep
resentative Howard w. Smith CD
of Virginia, who declared that
few members had had so much
as a chance to inspect the bills
before they were voted on.
Mrs. Mary Norton's bill for an
extension of time before the
sale of properties because of de-
linquent taxes, met serious oppo-
sition when it was brought up
for discussion and some members
said that they thought it would
set a bad precedent. The issue
was postponed.
The bill permitting the George
Washington Bicentennial Com
mission of the District to incor-
porate for the issuance of con-
cesSions was unanimously adopted.
Representative Smith introduced
a resolution which was also
adopted, providing for commit
tee meetings every Wednesday
when the House is in session.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
HOLD-UP' MEN
HAVE BUSY
WEEKEND
Thief TerrorizeS Mt. Pleasant
Section; Several Gas
Stations Held Up

Two-thirds of the police de-
partment served double duty
last night and this morning
in an effort to stem the severe
tide of hold-ups and robberies
which have swept over Wash
ington in the past few days
Two important arrests were
made as a score of robberies
and holdups we're reported.
Two colored men, William
James, 20, no fixed address, and
Thomas Washington, 81, of 1117
First st. N. W., we're arrested
by headquarters detectives and
are said to have confessed to
several "jobs."
Cash Register Stolen
Third Precinct police arrested
two colored men as they were
attempting to break open a cash
register stolen from the store OF
Irving Furash. 800 Twenty-sixth
st. N. W. The men held are
Alfred Byrd, 90. and George S.
Maynard, %. both of 928 Green's
Court N. w.
A lone thief terrorized the Mt.
Pleasnt section when he broke
into several houses and attempted
to break into others last night.
Gas Station HOldups
Jack F. Crowley, 619 Morris
st. N. E., attendant at a gaso-
line station at 1901 Rhode Island
Ave. N. w., was held up by two
colored men. They forced Crow
ley to open the safe and then tied
him with wire and threw him
down a flight of stairs into the
basement. Crowley finally freed
himself and summoned police.
The robbers got $170.
A safe containing $3.50 in bills
and $75 in checks was stolen
from the gasoline station of Rubin
Green, Third and K Streets
Northwest.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21
MercuwHas
Drop, Snow
On WAY

Snow followed by rain is the
promise of the Weather Bureau
for washington today.
Winter officially entered early
this morning accompanied by
freezing temperatures.
The mercury dropped "a de-
greeS since II yesterday morning,
the weather forecaster announced.
The change was brought about
when the prevailing south winds
changed to the northwest.
Yesterday, the last day of the
fall of 1881, was so mild thou
sands of Washingtonians fol
lowed the example of President
Hoover and went motoring.
The Washington times., 1931-12-21

The very earliest records of the cOun-
try tell of public concern over this quas-
tion. The whole economic history of the
land is the story of colossal and ruthless
lawlessneSs.
A noted economist recently declared
that disrespect for law in the United
States springs not from the dregs Of
society but from such lawlessness breed
ing acts as the prohibition statutes, the
criminalities of Government officials,
and the Haunting of Government, law
and society by great vested interests
The writer recently came across an
interesting document on the subject. 1t
was found quite by accident among old
congressional records in the Senate H.
brary. 1t was printed as a Government
document and presents some striking
remarks on the question; some of whic
contoH.