Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-04-17

is always wholly governed by the will
of the operator. Most automobilists
are careful; if all were, there would
be no need for restricting legislation.
/ The automobile has come to stay
$50, 000,0 900 worth Of them were sold
in the United States last year,-and
the courts have decided that it has
equal rights to the road with teams
The history of other self-propelling
vehicles is being repeated in the op-
position to the automobile which Will
in time disappear when the people ad-
just themselves to the new conditions.
The present law regulating automo-
biles is sufficient. The letter con.
tinues in part:
When properly diagnosed, the only
actual need ard demand for addition.
al legislation is such legislation as
win hit the real culprit-the reckless
and inconsiderate driver, who rushes
through city streets congested with
traffic. teams and pedestrians, and
who flies along the country highways
without regard to whether the farm
er's team is timid or not. We are a
unit with you in attempting to provide
the best possible means or eradicatins
| THIS unnecessary evil. We are more
than willing to offer what is believed
bv those who have given the subject
most careful thought and study, the
best method of putting the reckless
automobile driver where he belongs
mo speed limitation of any sort
will make a reckless driver careful
Where the road is clear, straightaway
and with nothing in sight, it matters
little to any one else how fast an
automobile travels. The ideal auto
mobile law is one which contains alb
solutely no speed limitations. but
which make every driver responsible
for all damages occasioned due to his
negligence or recklessness, whether
he is going three miles an hour or 80
and which contains a severe penalty
for its violation.
We submit herewith enclosed q
bill which We believe will best supply
any deficiencies in the present law
This bill contains several provisions
of the new uniform state automobile
law proposed by the American Auto
mobile association to the legislatures
of the several states, and under it the
reckless driver can be arrested, fined
ana imprisoned, although he be driy
ing with n the speed limits.
Remove all Speed Limits.
We ask that no further limitations
of speeds be made. Any reduction
from he present limit would destroy
the usefulness of the automobile and
won d put upon the statute books &
Law which no one, not even the police
authorities would respect 1t woult
also change the entire sentiment o.
that large proportion of the automo
bile public which now tries to live
within the spirit as well as the letter
Of Wisconsin's present liberal law
any change is to be made in the
speed laws. it ought to remove al
speed limitations of every sort. Their
with the enactment of our proposed
law against reckless and negligen
driving, it might be easier to make
arrests and convictions of those WHIT
deserve it. We ask you to carefully
consider this last proposition"
i The letter is signed by James T
Drought, George A. West, j. F
Szukalski. and Phil. A. Grau, legisla
tive committee of the Milwaukee
Automobile club.
The bill enclosed is as follows:
A Nearly Ideal Bill.
Section /. No person shall operate
an automobile or other vehicle upoI
or along any public highway at a rat
of speed greater than is reasonable
and proper, having regard to thu
width. traffic thereon at the time, tn,
use of the highway, and the genera
! and usual rules of the road. or so q
to endanger any property or the lif
or limb of any person; provided tina
in case the driving Of such yehicl'
shall result in injury to person &
property a rate of speed in excess o
Is miles per hour within the corporate
limits of any city or rat
of speed in excess of 25 miles pc
Eour outside the corporate limits o
am city, shall be prima facle evidence
of negligence.
Section 2. Any person who shall
operate an automobile or other motto
vehicle along or upon any public high
way in a culpably negligent or reck
less manner, having regard to tn
traffic and use of the highway, or il
any manner SO as to endanger an.
property or the life or limb of an.
person shall be punish ii by fine no
exceeding $50 for the first offense
) provided, that in case of a secon'
= conviction of the same person tn
punishment shall be by fine not eS
, ceeding $780, or by Imprisonment TO
/ term of not more than ten days
: provided further, that in case of
( third and subsequent conviction c
: the same person the punishment shal
be by fine not exceeding $3.50, or b
] Imprisonment for term of not NOR
, than so days.
l This essentially is the law now il
l some of the New England states.
: is oased on the good theory that,
/, autoists are in any particular rech
faSs tho, hecOme liable TO punish