New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-08
AUTOMOBILE REGULATION.

The controversy over automobile regulation
which is raging in New-Jersey is not unnat-
ural and will probably prove beneficial. No
other state could more appropriately be the
scene of it. The excellence of its roads. the
beauty of it's scenery and its proximity TO the
great cities of New-York and Philadelphia
have long made New-Jersey a favorite and
much frequented region for automobiling, and
in consequence il has suffered perhaps more
than any other state from highway abuses.
How much 1t has suffered has been set forth
in no uncertain terms by one of the foremost
advocates of the motor car. Mr. Scarritt for
merly president of the Automobile Club or
America says frankly that road courtesy, de-
"cency and statute law have all been again and
"again outraged by the big racing cars which
have violated all law and trampled upon the
rights of Jersey citizens. In individual In
stances automobile road hogs have monopo-
'Ized the road to the extent of crowding off
1.-The drivers of other vehicles, horse and power.
THE country roads have been rendered unsafe.
mot only for the driver of horse drawn We
"hcle but as well for the automobilist who
keeps within the law
We cannot suspect Mr.. Scarritt of exaggera
ton. His strong predictions for the automo-
bile would incline him to understate rather than
to overstate the case against it But, assum-
ing. as we do that his statement is accurate
reasonable minds that 1t sets forth an intol-
cradle situation. The government of the state
would fail to do its duty TO it's citizens II it
did not abate so monsrous nuisance. Such
relief is demanded as Mr.. Scarritt makes clear,
for the sake of the decent motorfst well
for that of the horseman or the pedestrian;
such relief must come through legislation. We
have hoped, and have frequently expressed the
hope. that it would come through the infiu-
md lou -oh fnp tnrfty OP
motorists through the force Of public opinion
and through the return to reason of those who
seem to have gone mad over speed, but such
hopes must now be dismissed vain. The be-
neficent influences named have been at work
for years but without perceptible result The
abuses and Outrages of the "scorchers' are not
decrea sing. They are increasing in frequency
and in fagrancy situation has been reached
like that IN the old fable in Webster's Spelling
Book" In which, when the boy in the tree
would not come down for pelting with tufts
of turf the farmer was compelled to resort to
stones.
1t may be that some minor details Of the
proposed legislation should be amended. That
work can be pretty safely left to the law
makers. But one thing we should like to point
out is that many of the fears of oppression
which automobilists express seem to us I'M
| founded. Protest is made against the provision
| that offenders may be arrested without war
rants and ii is said this would subject every
| automobilist 10 arrest at the caprice or cupid
ity of local constables. theoretically, yes; lust
| as every man who walks the streets of
New York is subject to arrest by any police
man who may trump up charge against him.
| But in practice the police do not make arrests
| without cause, and in practice there would be
few if any arrests of motorists without cause
On the other hand ii is obvious that in most
/ cases arrests must he made without warrants
| If they TO be made at ALL II a constable
on seeing car scorching through a village at
unlawful speed had to spend half an hour in
| going 10 a justice of the peace for warrant
before making arrest. his chance of eyer
| serving the warrant when he had secured Il
| would he something less than infinitesimaI
| There are many laws on statute hooks
| which might he oppressivey misapplied hut
! they are not. for the reason that such misannIi-
| cation would certainly reco upon those who
| committed IT, So. believe. il will h.. with
| laws for the regulation OF motor cars on tho
/ highways The same public sentiment tho+ do
| mands legislation for the correction of offend
ers would resent and prevent the distortion of
! such laws for IT," oppression of the innocent
! The best thing automobilisS can do for -
| sake of the valuable industry and arhilaratin
| sport IN which they are interested Ia not nh'