New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-28
FOR FEDERAL AUT0LAW
BILL TO BE INTRODUCED.
Main Provisions of the Act Prepared
by c. 4. Terry.

ThaddeuS
Iative board Of the American Automobile Assocla-
ton went te Washington yesterday 10 secure the
introduction In the present Congress OF bh
entitled. IAN act providing for the regulation
Identification and registration Of motor vehicles
engaged IN interstate travel"
Mr.. Terry has prepared this bill after careIuI
Investigation OF the decisions Of the Supreme Court
and the recent enactments Of Congress bearing on
interstate commerce. Chief Justice Marshall many
years ago held that commerce included intercourse
and travel, and the decisions Of the court slii0e
have not varied from his view.
II is now generally conceded that railroads opeT-
sting in more than state may be TegulaIeu DS
the federal government. The same principle per
mits similar regulation of automobiles by the same
central power The bill does not. however at
tempt 10 regulate the OF such vehicles save Al
The matter of registration and numbering anu
affects only vehicles which are duly lesls'e'eH
under the laws OF the state where theH owners
live and which are about TO be used by such
owners in other states The main features OF the
bill may be put into three groups:
Frirst-Fcxemption from registration provisions or
state laws other than the laws OF the state OF the
owners residence. Thus: on compliance WIN Inc
provisions OF the act with reference to previous
registration in the state of the residence OF inc
annIIcsnt and on filing with the bureau created
BY the act Of verified application which applca-
ton shall state among other things the name anu
residence Of the applicant his state registration
number a description of the vehicle the manufact-
urer's number the character Of the motor power
and the amount Of such power stated I'm figures or
horsepower such bureau shall issue 10 the appH-
cant certificate OF registration and 1edeTai
number Thereafter. In travelling anywhere III the
United states outside OF the state Of the owner
residence such owner shall by displaying the led
eral number on the front and rear or ms motor
vehicle he exempt from the laws OF other States
regulating registration and the carrying Oh num-
bers.
C2C The Identification number or sign. The pro
visions Of the act require while the vehicle IS
in foreign state such number shall always &c
dispayed both in front and in rear; the hummer 10
be three inches high with the initial letter OF ap-
breviated designation of the state where the We
tcle was originally registered a. the left Of such
number and the initials Of the United states at
the right number. it is thought that II Inc
bill becomes a law, motorist desiring 10 traVeI IN
foreign states will have his state number on one
side OF a reversible number pad and his federal
number on the opposite side Of such pad, thus per
rnitting him to change from the state TO the fed
eral method the moment the state line is crossed
go The motor vehicle bureau. The act VIII
create in the Department Of Commerce ana Laocr
p bureau, in charge Of commissioner, with sec
Rotary and clerical assistant. To such bureau VIII
he sent all applications, and in II will be Kept
records the vehicles registered indexed for ready
reference and the supplying of information on all
proper acquisitions for the same Salaries are pro
y,ded for the commissioner secretary and clerical
force payabe out OF the fund created by the regis
fraton fees Such fee will be S. in the case OF an
Individual and so in the case OF a manufacturer.
The act provides for the lodging of complaints
with the bureau by any person or corporation. for
the investigation OF complaints and the infection OF
runishments, the latter consisting chiefly in sls-
pension loss Of the privileges Of federal regis
tration Considering the great advantages to motor
vehicle users Of federal registration such pen
atty that is the suspension forfeiture Of the
right TO federal registration is thought sufficiently
II win be seen that the benefits conferred by the
act upon the non motoring public, IN facilitating
the performance Of their duties by peace officers
IN supplying quick and ready means of identica-
laws of through which he may be
travelling. together with obYiating present con
fusion. resulting from the multiplicity Of number
signs carried by motor vehicles now registered !
under varying state laws, many and Important.
The ect will affect existing future state
speed improper conduct by motorists or chauf- |
feurs the streets or highways; nor does II affect
motorists chauffeurs ia the state where the
motor vehicle Is registered It is intended simply
10 supply ready means of Identification and pre-
vent confusion due TO duplicate numbering when
the vehicle is used in foreign state
Motorists who have examined the bill are con-
fdent that If it becomes law 1t VIII be held con
Rtitutional and warm IN their congratulations
OF Mr. Terry's work Should 1t become law IL
viii remove a great source Of annoyance 10 the
owners of motor vehicles, and at tn same time
such and chauffeurs as violate the laws OF
foreign states.
The bill will have the active support Of tho
American Automobile Association, and II ls he
lieved. Of the important automobile manufacturing
Interests Of the country.