New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-28
AUTOMOBlLING.
ITS REMARKABLE GROWTH
What Records at albany Shoe
John Jacob Astor's Many Cars.
lay TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !


Albany, March 27.-Close to 1900 motor vehicles
go putting and kissing up and down the highways
of New-York State Not all are owned by persons
residing within the boundaries Of the State. and
many Of them belong to the same person; but a
conservative estimate places the number OF New
Workers. possessing automobiles Of one kind or an
other at about 10000. About half Of these operate
their own machines without the aid OF chauffeurs
The records file at the Office OF the Secretary OF
State show 5000 professional motorists registered
under the requirements OF the Motor Vehicle law.
The system by which the State keeps track or
every automobile owned by one OF its residents
requires such owners TO file with the Secretary OF
State his name and address, with a brief desorip-
ton of the vehicle, including the name or the
maker. factory number. style and motive power
Since the law went into effect, nearly four years
ago. between 15,Oeo and 1900 machines have been
registered. Among these. however. are many which
have changed owners and. therefore. have peen
registered twice, and to find the total NUMBER OF
machines it would be necessary also to allow for
those which have worn out and gone to the scrap
heap Since the law has been in force only four
years. however. and the average automobile Is
built to last considerably longer, 1t Is not Akeiy
that the figures would require much reduction for
this reason.
The first automobile owner registered on April 70
1901. The total number on March l. this year. was
15 574 The increase has proceeded at remarkable
rate At the end of the first year the record showed
only O20 vehicles owned and operated In the State
A year later on March /. 1903 the number was
2OS7 A year ago the number had increased to
eos and over 5000 new machines were added to
the list between March l. 1904 and 1900.
While by far the greater number of persons
whose names appear on the register possess put
one machine many are sponsors for the good be-
hayior of from two to two dozen. The largest
owners are the great department stores of New
York City and various mercantile establishments
which operate their delivery systems by this
means. The largest single owner is one or the Dig
express companies. which owns thirty-two celivery
trucks twelve in New-York. fifteen in Buffalo ana
five In Rochester The private Individual whose
name appears the list the greatest number OF
times is John Jacob Astor whose fondness for the
sport Is well known and who purchases, on an
FIVE " ss6s STILES yea and
appear on the Secretary of States DOCKS under
has mar; d Asf4r ii of some s of these
The only other person who s MOI stG IS
William K. Vanderbilt, jr.. who Is credited with
chine registered i've times and Reginald Wander
bilt four times. August Belmont has five machines
About Ave hundred residents of other States have
registered their automobiles IN AapaRy ce1y
with similar laws in their own States put many
Nev-York, or whose machines are much used here
have found 1t more convenient TO have sher motoas
resident owners live in Connecticut, New-Jerssy
Rhode Island and Massachusetts,, but me rs sat
including Maine and Florida Mayer FIeisehnana
of Cincinnati Is one or the Wen known Ies4slts
of other states who run an automobile in New
York and pays the local registry tax;
The law, as it now stands forbids the use or any
motor vehicle whether for pleasure business, In
New-York State without proper registration, ex-
cept that any person purchasing a machine from
dealer is allowed operate It for period OF five
days bearing the number and seal OF the previous
owner A manufacturer dealer is required 70
register only one vehicle of each type, and is en-
titled to duplicate registration seals for all other
machines OF the same style which holds good until
the vehicle is sold. 49,. =, :,
Should the IfHommedieu bill, introduced In the
Senate for the purpose of taxing all automobies
except trucks over ten horsepower - for eaeh
horsepower become law change VIII pc
required in the registration statute so as TO enable
the State authorities to ascertain the power or
each vehicle The law at present requires that
only the type and motive power be given