The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-09-22
SENATOR
BLAME
GEARING
dealer Culpable Who Sells
High Speed Cars De-
spite Laws.

For an automobilist not to know Sen
iator Joseph s. Frelinghuysen Of New
Jersey, either IN person or by his works,
IS to argue himself unknown.
An ardent motorist for the lest four
years over American and European
lroads. the Senator Is looked upon as an
Authority on motor vehicle law, its pur-
EpOses, epforcements. and penalties
Somerset county which he represents
Is community known for its fine roads
and the hospitality OF its inhabitants;
opportunities for judging at first hand
fahe conditions which make safe and
proper motoring are therefore not lack
ing there
( In a recent interview with a Ho-~e-
! less Age reporter tho senator was asked
how he came TO be so much interested
IAN the legislative side Ct the question.
particularly as it was known that he
Twas an enthusiastic tourist.
Competent by Experience.
That is just the reason was the
reply. IF I had not been through the
mill myself both in this country and on
the Continent. with unlimited chances
/ accorded me for studying traffic condi-
lions and their regulation, I should no
Phave made myself so prominent in the
shaping of motor vehicle law. To 20
kbac6 TO what started me in this field. n
remember very we'll that when I pur
chased my first car. some four years
ago. both 1t and its owner were obiects'l
-of kindly curiosity and not OF suspicion.
AT that time machines were not so
numerous on our highways as they are
nov, nor were they geared so high. |
Get horse was literally applicable. as
well as amicably derisive Were a man
70 have trouble on the road. immediate
and gratuitous aid was pronered in the
shape OF farmers horse
Jersey Mecca for AutoistS
New Jersey, by reason of its fine
roads and its location between New
York and Pennsylvania. was even then
the Mecca OF automobiles. but no such !
dust clouds and mud showers as are
now evident existed before the advent I
J. of the racing monster. Inhabitants OF |
New Jersey are essentially farmers. and |
|. the bicycle era had taught them the !
benefits OF good roads; our highway de- I
partment and the results Il achieved |
were a constant source Of pride to US |
Now. as a result Of our endeavors !
IN that line. we are reapinE the whirl- |
wind Of jeopardized property and sacrl- !
!, feed lives More and more frequently |
II became the recipient Of letters from
my constituents, complaining OF the !
unlawful and selfish habits Of motor car
operators An automobile would at
Tempt 70 pass a horse drawn wagon. |
and the aggressive insistence OF the
motors noise would antagonfze the |
uriver thereof A pet diversion was. 1
and. for that matter. still is. 10 run
alongside nervous horse and open the.
muiher cut-out or sound the siren. while
the occupants of the machine Toll back
IN hysterical applause Of the antics of |
the frightened beast"
Manufacturers at Fault.
Then you think that most Of tho
trou5l= IS due 70 the drivers attitude.
Ssnator2''
No. I do not. To go back To FIST
principles. the legal rate OF speed Is
clearly set down 50 that those who ride
may red. 4 manufacture Of auto
mobiles s. or should be. rs fully con-
versant with traffic regulations as any
OF his customers. knowing that twenty
iaiies an hour Is the limit in New Ger
sey' the manufactures should be deem
- Oh dCStbcoIN ueIOre the fact whom |
he gears his machines to fifty. sixty. and
Feventy-fve miles an hour. and then
publicly advertises them for sale there.
basirg his claims Of their merits on
their law-defying abilities CThis ap-
plies as well IN every other StateD TOO
much regard Is paid horsepower and
not enough TO gearing. A 7O-horsepow
er machine, properly geared for hiIy
roads might not be AT all beyond the
necessities Of the highway: this IS par
ticularly true of commercial vehicles.
Restriction Not Advocated.
so l DO not believe in restricting
horsepower. 10 strike at the root OF The
evil high gearing must be dealt with
suumariiy. Any man who will drive
car Geared to permit speeds OF forty
niles an hour and more is a dangerous
speed fanatic as much a menace in his
car AZ ~'-"'cidal maniac equipped
with 'r repeating rife Such
people ai' c.Iually crafty in avoiding
peace officers and visiting their in
juTies In least expected quarters"
EEETIlIII " Z =