The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-02-07
Committee Of Sumter Motor Club Makes
Strong Arguments Before the
Senate Committee.
THE GREEN BILL TO BE AMENDED.
Sumter Motorists do Not Object to
Reasonable Laws to Restrain
Reckless Motorists and They Make
Suggestions to Senate Committee
How to Amend the Green Bill.

From IHe Daily Item FeOrudIy =.
The committe of the Sumter Motor
club which went to Columbia yester-
day to appear before the Senate COM
mittee on roads, bridges and ferries
for the purpose Of making known the
objection that automobiles have to
the Green Anti-Automobile bill was
given hearing at $3.50 o'clock.
At the outset the motor club COM
mittee had it cleary understood that
they were not fighting the bill as
whole but only certain drastic and un-
fair provisions contained in it. The
Sumter Motor club is not opposed to
fair and reasonable regulation, but on
the contrary advocate and viii use It's
utmost endeavors to enforce all rea-
sonable laws to prevent reckless drlv-
ing of motor cars on the public high
ways.
The unreasonable and, in the opin-
ion of automobilists, injurious and un
fair sections Of the Green bill were
pointed out to the Senate committee,
and the reasons for objecting to them
clearly stated.
DR.. Mood, for the Sumter Motor
club, suggested several amendments
70 the bill, which will, if accepted and
incorporated in it, go far toward ac-
complishing the end desired, and will
protect the public against reckless
and inconsiderate automobiles, while
not interfering with those who use
the public highways in a lawful man
ner
Mayor Dick, who went as member
of the committee, stated he appeared
in dual capacity-he was not mem
Der of the Sumter Motor club and did
not own a machine, yet he represent
ed the automobilists on this occasion,
and would ask in their behalf that no
drastic law be enacted that would rem
der practically valueless the 100000
worth of automobiles owned by citi-
zens Of Sumter. These machines had
been purchased under the impression
that a man had as much right to ride
On public highway in motor csr
as in buggy, and that in Sumter au-
tomobiles are not toys or mere pleas
ure vehicles, but are valuable and nee
essary adjunt is to business. If the
are restricted in the use Of the public
roads by drastic and unreasonably Sc
we're legislation the owners Of auto
mobiles will oe put to heavy financial
loss and great inconvenience.
Besides the heavy investment al
ready made in automobiles by citizens
OF Sumter, there are now under con-
sideration plans to establish a factory
there for the manufacture of automo-
biles, which are certain to come more
largely into use each year, as they are
becoming more and more a necessity.
He, as the mayor Of Sumter, woulG re-
gret to see any law passed that would
inaict a loss on the citizens Of the
town, or that would have atendency to
discourage the establishment of an
enterprise of SO great promise as an
automobile factory would be.
Representative W. Med. Green, Of
Lee county, the author Of the bill, at
tended the hearing and participated
in the discussion. He readily con-
OF ceveral OF the features most objected
several of the features most objected
to and the incorporation in it Of sew
eral Of the suggested amendments.
The Motor club committee had ev-
cry reason to be satisfied with the re-
suit of the hearing, and they returned
home feeling that the bill that will be
finally adopted will be fair, just and
unobjectionable.