New-York tribune., 1906-07-23
AUToMoBILING.

J. B. R Smith, commissioner of motor vehicles
tn New Jersey. has expressed himself as pleased
with the general results obtained under the new
Frelinghuysen automobile law, which took effect
on July !. He said, in talking on the subject:
The first two weeks under the motor vehicle
law have been highly satisfactory ones. There
nave been issued since May T. the day the offices
were opened for registrations, S2O6 registrations
70 vehicles and IL 252 licenses to drivers We have
coAected S4O,23S in fees, all Of which is turned
over 70 the State Treasurer for repairs to the
Improved roads Of the state. Since July / We
nave revoked the licenses Of three drivers and
have made permanent the order denying the ap-
Eucauons OF one other, while the temporary
orders In ten other cases await final action The
department has been criticised an some quarters
ioT putting the burden Of the proof OF innO'-
cence. as the critics are pleased TO call it. upon
the applicant for licenses. They overlook the
fact that do not sit as a court of Justice but
rarneF as q board Of examiners, charged by the
act 70 license at our discretion, and 1t is mani
testify the duty OF the applicant to prove his fit
ness rather than that We prove his incompetency.
@nile We are daily receiving many reports Of
reckless and unlawful driving, vet many OF these
reports are accompanied by the statement that
conoltlons as whole are very much improved.
Every report is investigated thoroughly as
possible, and such action is taken as seems fit
tng In fact, only from one section of the state
Sxts the information indicate a worse condition
Hsn that which existed last year. There seems to
be a very general disposition among drivers,
particularly Jerseynen not only to respect the
laWs but TO insist that others do likewise The or
ganized clubs Of the state especially. ana promi-
4enE autoists generally, are rendering the de-
2aFtment great assistance. The criticism of the
low as well as whatever defiance Of it has been
SO far reported. comes almost entirely l am
sotEy 10 say, from persons residing outside the
state
am acquainted with the great difference Of
opinion which exists regarding the relative
rights OF users of the highways, but I believe
lhat al intelligent appreciation of the common
laNs OF potteness would settle most Of the oles-
tloEs- When these laws fall short. recourse must
Le Asa 20 a law with a more potential sanction
x rs only just to say in this connection how
eve. mat the motorist is by no means always
ne tr2nssressor- The privileges Of the roads are
abused BY all classes TO greater or less degree
ana tne Legislature viii probably soon be called
upon 70 maze a more comprehensive expression
% me relative rights Of the different users of
the highways than we now have II is also olIite
probable that as time goes on and a better ac-
euaintence between users and non-users OF mo-
TOT Venlcles comes about as well as a higher de-
yetopment OF both the motor car and its driver
more liberal regulations will not be found
Incompatible with public safety and the indI-
glQual rights Of others, and when that time
comes we may be assured that New Jersey win
latiOn