New-York tribune., 1908-03-31
MONEY IN AUTO FEES.
Neso Jersey Commissioner IN Favor
of the Present Lac.
rBv Telegraph 10 The Tribune.


Trenton, n. J., March 30.-Commfssioner j. b. X
Smith, OF the State Department of Motor Vehicles
submitted his annual report to Governor Fort To-
day for transmission TO the Legislature. The
report shows that during the year 1913 registra-
ton certificates and 1SGS5 drivers licenses were
Issued The total receipts from these sources were
SSOdef in addition which S. collected in fines
was turned over to the State Treasury. All this
money is devoted the improvement of roads.
The aggregate cost of maintaining the department
was SS,S72 this being borne by the Department
of State.
Commissioner Smith makes few recommended
uons IN his report He says the differences Of
opinion between motorists and the non-rnotoring
public, both among themselves and with each
other. are SO great regarding what should con-
stitute wise and equitable legislation that until
some substantial agreement be effected
perlnlents with the present law would be unwse.
He adds:
dhere have been those both of our own and other
Stt VINO have unfav0raoly compared our laws
apIy Deen in the main, earnest and sincere but in
the light Of New Jerseys needs 1t can hardly be
said that they have thoroughly considered the sub
Ject In fact these critics generally either
those who would remove all barriers OF restraint
and regulation those who believe that motor
ve1icles have no proper place our highways,
and would legislate in way TO make their further
use impractical.
The question Of fees paid for licenses and regis
Tatlons appears to be nearing solution. and there
seems to be general agreement that larger fees
should be paid The amount of the increase. how
IS sun matter o. serious conSlderatloEi arc
the Legislature will doubtless proceed along both
ptositSSlNe ana conservative lines in dealing with
this question. The questions Of increased
Der Of inspectors and OF q better Identification
device are perhaps In exactly the class Prac-
fically all agree that both efficient Identified
tion and more inspectors should be provided.
but few are able TO agree upon what actually
stltues sufficient Identification upon what should
be the proper number of inspectors.
Proper Identification is keynote to all efficient
regulation. yet such Identification should
made unduly burdensoTile The real value of the
ia " must in the end. depend upon the efficiency Of
those whose duty il is TO enforce it The final
luton Of both the Identification and the inspector
questions will doubtless be reached by easy stages
The department has believed that conservatism
and discretion cannot be too strongly urged upon
all who have to deal with vehicles, and
all efforts toward regulation SHOULD as their
coordinate purpose the uniform and absolute pro-
lection of the rights OF every Of the highways
and Of the promotion OF every legitimate effort to
develop resources and bring about greater ease
comfort. expedition and safety in travel trans
portation- The motor vehicle. already a very DO
tenttal force in the development of resources
and in the promotion OF pleasures. is capable
of almost infinite development and this can best be
served not only by the Clearest possible under
standing Of its abuses and the means whereby they
can he suppressed, but also OF its uses and capa-
bilities.