New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-19
TOSUPERSEDE BAILEYLAW
AUTO" BILL At ALBANY.
Senator Hall Introduces One to Take
Place of Existing Regulations.

Albany Jan. Ex-senator Hi. Of Buffalo. to-
nisht introduced q bill radically amending all
existing laws the subject of automobiling
II Is the result Of an investigation by the COM
rnittee on legislation Of the New-York State Au-
,ornobile Association. Oliver A Quayle of AL
bany. OF the committee. said tonight concern
ing II:
THIS BIZ s,ae dn to b, +.
citation Of Amesa Il is SiesF that no amend ID
crease the present. CONFUSION. general motor
vehicle law, complete IN Itself. even TO penalties
cefscts. unfarness and want OF constitutionaIity
law 10 be constitutional in its penalties and IN all
police power restrictions on the of the high
ways ~ motor vehicles; provide penalties which
shall trivial great the offence is petty or
Important; 10 contain speed limitations few IN
number ano Of such a character that they may be
easily observed on the one hand. and their viola
he registration and numbering OF the vehicle it.
self. with severe penalties for failure TO display
numbe-.
The bill introduced by Senator Hill tonight
generally permits such speed shall be .-rea-
sOnsbe and proper" having regard TO traffic
and so as not TO endanger life or property, with
arbitrary limitations between eight and twenty
miles hour. dependent on the way being
closely built up; calls for reduction of speed
when approaching frightened horses. at cross
ings and bridges. on curves and in passing or
OFertaIing persons or animals II contains also
the customary provision for stopping on a signal
from the driver Of frightened horse. and Sc
we're penalties for failure TO observe any of these
requirements.
The bill prohibits the making OF local ordi-
nances regulating the use Of motor vehicles
and declares void any existing ordinance, ex-
cept to parks, particular roads or ways. and
generally permits any speed on specified road
for racing or testing purposes. Its terms apply
TO motor cycles, with clauses limiting the re-
quirements as TO size Of numbers. and the num-
Der of lamps, this TO adapt the general pro-
visions TO such vehicles; il declares afirmatively
that nothing in the law shall affect the rights
of person injured by the negligence OF a motor
driver 10 recover damages therefor
The bill Classics The penalties for violation
according to the seriousness of the offence, and
provides that second and subsequent offences
shall be more severely penalized. Penalties are
10 be limited to fines in small amounts for
minor offences and fines with the option of
imprisonment, for serious breaches OF the law.
The principal changes in registration are the
elimination OF the requirements that mere oper-
certhcates be carried at all times. For the
latter, the bill substitutes metal registration
seal showing the number Of the vehicles regis
iration, TO be affixed conspicuously 10 ii. Motor
vehicles registered in other States may use
highways without registering here, on display
3ng their home numbers with the initials of
their States
The rates of speed are not materially changed.
the higher limit being twenty miles per hour.
Inc lower, ten. Inc Dill OIrltS the present pro-
visions making speed dependent the prox-
unity Of postoffices. schoolhouses. churches
causeways and dams, and inserts instead clauses
requiring reduction of speed at crossings. bridges
and on curves and descents. The penalty
Noking an owners permit for exceeding the
speed limits has been struck out. The bill al
lows the deposit Of cash, or in lieu thereof the
motor vehicle, as security for a bail bond and
substitute for II.
There was a brisk skirmish over the reference
OF the bill. Senator Hill wanting II to go TO the
Codes Committee, while Senator Grady insisted
that the proper reference was either to the In
ternal Affairs Committee the Committee
Roads and Bridges. 1t was finally laid on the
table for reference later.