DAVENPORTMEN SPURN THE LAW

The Rock Island Argus
August 23, 1918

Davenporters are still being fined in Rock Island police court for failure to obtain Illinois automobile licenses to operate commercial cars in this state.

Since the policy of fining the violators was inaugurated here about two weeks ago, quite a large number of Davenporters have been taxed on this charge.

Herman Budelier and Hugo Grooshuzen, chauffeurs for Davenport firms, are the latest to be arrested in this city. The men were fined $5 each, and held at the station until the companies sent someone over to pay the fines. The violation is strictly one made by the company, and the only charge that a chauffeur is liable to is driving a car that he knows has no Illinois number when he fully understands that it should have one.

Ignorance of the law, however, is no excuse, and the Davenporters were informed and thoroughly advised as to the Illinois statute by a state automobile agent who conducted an investigation in Rock Island two months ago. For one week Davenporters were stopped as they came across the bridge and told that they would have to take out Illinois licenses. None was arrested and ample time has been given for Iowans to comply with the law.