This Day in History: 1916-05-21

Judge W. H. Rodgers had a busy Sunday sentencing violators of the automobile laws. Four New York motorists were fined $5.85 each for driving without a license. Justice Rogers has threatened jail sentences for speeders on the Franklin Turnpike and had a particularly flagrant case brought before him. It involved a New Hampshire driver, Kenyon B. Fly. He was clocked at about 50 miles per hour on the Turnpike. Several times State Motor Vehicle Inspector Arthur A. Stagg tried to pull him over only to have to have Ely speed up his powerful machine and elude him. Stagg finally forced him over by locking his fender with him and pushing him to the side of the road in Mahwah. Stagg brought him before Judge Rodgers who was going to send him to jail. But Ely pleaded and the Judge let him off with the highest fine that the law allows, $100, which was paid in cash on the spt. (Bristow)