New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-01
SCARRITT LEADS ATTACK.
AGAINST SAKE AUTO BILL.
fMang AutomobiiSts at Hearing an
albany.
rBr rELEaeArH TO THE TRIBUNE.

ny TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBuNFl
Albany, Feb. 2S.-DeclarinR that the present law
regulating the speed Of automobiles sufficiently
Eevere-n fact TOO severe-if enforced the letter
Winthrop f. Scarritt, formerly president Of the
Automobile Club Of America. to-day vigorously OPP
lPosed the SAKE measure permitting the imprison-
snent of automobilists for first violation OF the
law. IN opposing she measure Mr.. Scarritt said:
We object the SAKE amendment because il is
tyrannicaI. unfair and unjust in that il puts il
within the power Of any petty. prejudiced magis-
to send automobilist TO Jail for the viola
ton Of the speed law. no matter how slight or I'M
Intentional the violation may have been"
TIE Automobile club OF America has used It's
Influence among its members 10 have thnm obey
the law and their on the highway with
care and consideration for the rights OF others
During the last year we have suspended promi-
nert FOR violation of the spirit OF the law.
and others have been warned. We are as anxious
ar you are gentlemen. to stamp out reckless and
dangerous driving on the highways. We object,
fhowever to having the public put altogether in
some class and condemn the many for the sins of the
fex
In addition 10 all the difficulties necessarily en-
countered by infant industry, viii you lay on us
The burdens Of antag OnIstc and drastic legislation?
We do not believe the legislature of the Empire
State. pricked and prodded by A few motor
rhobiacs will permit themselves to enact legisla-
zion which five years from they will be heartily
ASHAMED OF.
The present law regulating the speed of auto
mobiles IS severe enoug-too severe if It
forced TO the letter Three-qusrters of the time I
violate the letter Of the law. but never have VIC
lated its spirit which is TO be careful and con-
FsdeEate Of the rights other users of the road.
And this. I know, is the custom of 20 per cent OF
Charles T. Terry Of New York, declared that al
most the only opposition 10 the present law came
from the West End Association. Even Long Island
was satisfied that the law would be adequate. said
F9le. II il enforced.
7 come from the home Of the speed law infraction
ed me polGe traP sad t1a1R ~ eoo UI 1 ele
1.-THE clam digger finds il profitable to lie H.
clans. We dread the possibility OF a law that VII!
send us 10 prison for an unwilling first onenc@
Speeches in opposition We're made by \. NJ.
Pierce. OF the Singhamton Automobile Club d..
William Z. AIlbank OF the AIba=y Cub; {2urt
wich: Giles W StiIweII. OF the Syassssss CLUB: Al
mobile Club OF America. and Charles y. HyCe OF
Ehe New-YoTk Motor CLUB.
IN presenting the for the West Lee Assocla-
fion. John Cleman said that since la1i me when
The present Jaw took effect there had been 100 con-
V-ctons in New OK city, many Tor hrsl ana sec
/ ond offences, and NOT one imprisonment re Teda
q resolution indorsing the SaNe-Wllsnack Bill.
adopted by the Board of city Magistrates OF the
First Division Borough Of The Bronx, ana leIteTs
10 the same effect from the Rev. Matthew A Tay
Tor of the Church Of the Blessed Sacrament OF
New-York and severa! public school principals. VINO
said that their pupils were endangered by reckless
speeding of motor cars
James Van Dyke Card. OF the West End Associa-
frequent tests with watch in hand on the Bouie-
ward and never Vet had he found an automoblllst
who occupied the legal time. 222 seconds 10 cover
a block in five and a half seconds
After the hearing il suggested that a salts
factory compromise might be achieved by amending
80 ,i1 nv limiting its application Newly OrlE
CITY. Senator SAKE said that he might assent 10
suCh an amendment, but Assemblyman " llsnack
The committee Will consider the suggestion at its
next executive session