New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-19
AUTOMORuTNG

II seems unfortunate, as Dave Hennen Morris
president OF the Automobile Club of America
SAID last week. that two sets OF persons having
the same end IN view should work at such cross
purposes and be so 6iametrically opnosed as
seems 10 be the case IN the matter of pending
automobile legislation both in this State ana ,r
New-Jersey. The automobilists both indivtdu-
ally ana as clubs and associations are constant
~ at war with those who Justly protest against
the misuse OF the machines on the public high
ways. There is apparently no good reason vbv
a measure acceptable TO both could NOT ba
framed which would accomplish the purpose for
"hlch al are aiming-the suppression OF the
Toao hog" so called The utterly selfish. or in
competent or reckless persons who are a
distinct menace on the roads and bring dis
credit on automobilists as a class should he
+. or better, must be, legfslated against Tho
average man who owns runs a car IS quite as
hor inns as the man who does not own a.
"i' put VINO must use the highways IN the
course OF his business or pleasure IT,. -
Tor stringent laws on the subject brt ~, ,,oau
slly for drastic legislation which yvould ,,,,rao
o.-aoiy restrict or unJustly burden a1,to,,oob;la
,oncb ,a o. a class' The bill which is causing SO
s i-ech controversy In New-Jersey and which viii
nave another hearing tomorrow ar Trenton has
n,aIy GOOD points and some bad ones n has
penty OF supporters who have advanced strong
arguments In its favor. II has rnanv onnonents
VINO nave ana VIII present telling argunents
.Se144l0t ~. - WIN pfODaDly end IN q fair nd
Impartial law being passed. an end which could
nave been reached without all the hue and CIV
snd general mudslinging. The bin offered nv
Assembylnan Stanley IN Albany a few days a 90
mas already caused howl" In some quarters
more apparently on general principles than for
hhg GOOD ana sufficient reason. As has been ex-
plalned. the law committee Of the Automobile
Tub OF America and the West End Assocts+ a.
bSreeo on Its provisions in the main and while
me governors Of the club tabled II without % K
ing any action and are IN no sense behind n for
reasons which seemed good to them +; cannon
pe forgotten that the measure was nractice lI,y
framed by automobiles who realized the needs
and who were well qualified to suggest vravs a nd
means 10 correct existing abuses WHY ,han
should autonobilists make strenuous ohiect,or
70 It's passage wher their interests and the in
ierests or automobiling the first consideredo
II seems II that clause which nro,IdeS %
the appointment Of State commission 10 ha Va
general supervision Of the subject is a rartic,,
larry wise and good one, and Yet this clause "a
beng chiefly condemned. The State Racing Com
mission has done much for the proper control OF
thoroughbred racing In the State. Why then
should not state motor vehicle commission Do
much il not more for automobilinep 7, is
said that the commission would be a cunober
some and costly one and burden TO the STATE
even though it's members would serve witho,,t
compensation. II is pointed out however tba.
II the commission was made UP Of men OF stand
ing, would surely be the case. the expense
would be none too great for the good accom-
pished, and II would IN no sense be a means
for graft, which the opponents OF the measure
seem 70 fear Under the law the automobiles
pay thousands OF dollars into the State treas
ury. The bin provides that all fines under the
shall also go tntO the general funds OF the
state. II does not seem unreasonable then that
a certain amount Of that money be paid out
again for The control of automobiling and the
ssaasnsaoG q the State highways and those that