One must expect traffic rules to be rather fluid and to change frequently when drivers still referred to automobiles as “machines.” This "tongue-in-cheek" report of the new laws does take out a bit of the sting.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Thursday, July 13, 1916:
NEW “DONTS” FOR MOTORISTS IN AMENDED TRAFFIC RULES
Spot-Lights Barred and Front Lights Must Be Dimmed — Drivers Must Stop Behind Stationary Street Cars — No “Jay-Walking”
The amendment to the traffic ordinance, which is now being published in The Star, became effective upon its passage by virtue of a provision declaring that the ordinance “is urgently required for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety.” Really it isn’t bad as that, but it is as legitimate a use of the emergency provision as the average use to which it has been put in Arizona, so motorists need not feel that they are felons, typhoid-carriers or lunatics at large.
Stripped of its whereases, therefores and other legal verbiage, some of the new restrictions put upon automobilists are given as the ordinance makers say, hereinafter.
The pedestrians need not display untoward signs of satisfaction at these new restrictions put upon “the enemy,” however, for the law has something to say to them also. That manner of crossing a street called “jay-walking” is absolutely prohibited so it is up to the “jay-walkers” to cultivate “city ways.”
Right of Way For “Sixes.”
Drivers of slowly moving vehicles are required by the amended ordinance to keep as close as possible to the curb on the right hand side of the street, allowing more swiftly moving vehicles free passage on the left. The driver of the machine on the left is required to sound a signal before passing the slower vehicle, which must thereupon give way to the “sixes” and other swift carriers that are not so slow or common.
Parenthetically, where the ordinance says “shall,” it apparently means just that, for failure to do what is required “in the premises” will result in arrest for committing a misdemeanor, towit, that the motorist did then and there do what is charged with doing, committing, staging or pulling off. The punishment, however, is merely nominal, the maximum being a fine of only $300 and only three months in the city jail.
Incidentally, comfortable quarters have been provided for women at the city jail. Altogether, the council could have dealt with the “emergency” much more stringently and summarily, such as hanging and burning at the stake.
Subject to police committee traffic rules, the driver approaching a street intersection shall yield the right of way to a driver approaching the intersection from the right of the first named.
Must Give Signals.
The driver of any vehicle who desired to stop his car to change its course must give a signal by raising his hand to indicate in which direction he intends turning. No turn can be made, however, other than at an intersection. The burden of determining whether or not there is sufficient room to execute any operation of the car is on the driver. In crossing a street he must turn to the left so as to head in the direction in which the traffic is moving on the side of the street toward which he is destined. Under no circumstances may a crossing be made in the middle of the block.
Between the hours of seven o’clock in the morning and six o’clock in the evening, a vehicle is not allowed to stand for a period longer than 60 minutes on the following streets:
The Forbidden Zone.
- Congress Street, between Toole Avenue and Main Street.
- Stone Avenue, between Pennington and Broadway.
- North Church Street, between Pennington and and Congress Streets.
- North Scott Street, between Pennington and Congress Streets.
- North Meyer Street, between Pennington and Congress Streets.
- North Court Street, between Pennington and Congress Streets.
- South Meyer, between Congress and McCormick Streets.
No Sidewalk Garages.
Outside of this zone, a vehicle may be allowed to stand four hours in a continuous period between 6 p. m. and 7 a. m. of the next day. This provision is aimed at those who use the sidewalks in front of their homes as an economical and convenient garage. Within a radius of thirty feet from a fire plug vehicles are absolutely prohibited and vehicles may not stop within twenty feet from the entrance to any theater or public building.
Sixteen years of age is made the minimum age limit of any automobile driver.
Drivers of vehicles are required to give an adequate warning or signal when moving from a full stop or crossing a street intersection. Drivers of power propelled vehicles are required to give an indication when approaching an intersection of what direction they will continue in.
Drivers of automobiles or other vehicles approaching a street car which has stopped to discharge or take on passengers, must stop not nearer than ten feet in the rear of the street car until the car proceeds.
Light Dimmers Required.
Light dimmers on front lights are required, the center rays to strike the ground in front of the car not further away than 45 feet from the car. Spotlights are unconditionally prohibited in the city of Tucson.
Due caution is imposed on both drivers and pedestrians at street intersections where safety zones are established and at such intersections pedestrians are prohibited from crossing the street other than at right and left angles and within the chalked lines that will mark the safety zones.
Barring these few restrictions and such others as the police committee may deem it wise to promulgate, joy riding may continue as before.
People are also reading…
Yes, "joy riding may continue."
Women might be insulted that immediately after reporting the “nominal” fine, the Star reports that comfortable quarters have been provided for women at the jail. It would seem those at the Star, at least in 1916, may have had a certain unflattering opinion of “women drivers.”
In other news, a deputy U.S. marshal crossed the border into Mexico when his prisoner got away from him and both were arrested by Mexican authorities.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Jailed In Mexico
BRAD DUNCAN ARRESTED WHEN HE DASHES OVER LINE AFTER PRISONER
Schwierz, Plotter, Escapes From Officer When Given Near View of Mexico, But Is In Custody at Nogales; Promise Duncan’s Release
When he crossed to the Mexican side of the international line at Nogales yesterday afternoon at 2 o’clock to capture Richard Schweirz, a German charged with conducting criminal correspondence with a foreign government, who had escaped from him, Deputy United States Marshal Brad Duncan of Tucson was arrested by Mexican soldiers and thrown into jail. It was promised by Mexican authorities that he would be released at 6 o’clock. Schweirz was also thrown into jail and is still being held, according to latest reports.
Duncan was released early in the evening, according to advices received by Tucson officers. Stewart was still in jail on the Mexican side according to last reports. After crossing the line he made his way towards the railroad track, where a railroad motorcar happened to be standing, and attempted to make his escape in the car. The attempt was frustrated by Mexican soldiers, and Schweirz was thrown in jail. It is believed that the United States government will demand his return.
Schweirz, a California German, was arrested at Nogales several days ago. He was just about to enter Mexico when taken into custody.
Deputy United States Marshal Duncan went to Nogales the first of the week to bring Schweirz back to Tucson to be placed on the Pima county jail. He was to return on the afternoon “Burro,” which leaves Nogales about 2 o’clock. A little while before the train started he took Schweirz from the custom house where he had been held in custody, and walked to the railroad station.
Dashes Across Line.
Schweiz expressed a desire to look at the other side of the line at a little closer range, and Duncan consented, it is said. They walked down towards the line, and when close to the Mexican side, Schweirz, who was not “ironed,” made a sudden dash for the line.
Duncan went after him, but did not shoot, and came up to him just after Schweirz had crossed. He grappled with the German, and while they were engaged Mexican soldiers seized both of them and took them to the office of the commandante, where they were ordered held.
Promise Duncan’s Release.
The incident caused great excitement in Nogales, Arizona, and American Consul Simpich immediately applied for the release of Duncan. About 5 o’clock the Mexican military authorities sent word that they would release Duncan immediately. So far as is known, Schweirz has not been released and is still being held. No application for his return to the American side has been made thus far.
The escape of Schweirz caused great regret among the American authorities and military men who regarded his capture as a very important one, because it was believed that he was agent for a widespread plot that might have international complications.
Schweiz went to California in 1913 and tried to interest capitalists in the establishment of a German colony in Santa Barbara county, claiming that he represented a number of German noblemen. After the European war the idea was given up. Schweirz became very poor, it is said, and dropped out of sight.
Starts a Filibuster.
May 6, of the present year, he inserted advertisements in Los Angeles newspapers advertising for farm laborers. It is claimed that this was a mere pretext to get Germans and Mexicans to join him in organizing an expedition to go to Mexico and join the army.
He is said to have passed through Tucson on his way to Nogales June 26, and was arrested last week just as he was about to cross the line.
Schweirz is suspected of being in the employ of the Carranza authorities, and it is claimed that he was engaged in an attempt to smuggle an airplane from the United States into Mexico. It is intimated that prominent men higher up are implicated in the alleged Schweirz plot.
Planned Gas Squad.
It is claimed that Schweirz has admitted that he intended to go to Mexico to organize a poisonous gas corps to be used in case of war by Mexico against the United States, and that he had already made arrangements with General Calles and General Obregon.
Schweirz, so it is claimed, stated that his purpose in going to Mexico was to teach the Mexicans how to make and use poisonous gases and liquid fire against the Americans in case of hostilities.
He is said to have had a companion, Lieutenant Von Doucette, who left Holtville, Cal., July with an airplane to join the army of Calles near Agua Prieta. Whether Von Doucette had arrived was not known to Schweirz at the time if his arrest. He is said to have stated that a third companion reached the Mexican lines in safety.
When arrested Schweirz was dressed partially in the uniform of a Mexican army officer. He has been decorated with the order of the Red Eagle and the Imperial Medal of the Emperor’s twenty-fifth accession, it is reported.
“It is reported,” “it is said,” “it is claimed.” There is no mention of who has reported, said or claimed these things. One hundred years later, Arizona Daily Star reporters must give attribution to such “facts” instead of being so vague. Confirming 100-year-old facts or suppositions, however, is difficult at best and is not something the Morgue Lady has time to do with her other duties. We’ll have to accept the Star’s 100-year-old account.
