The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-02
THE AUTOMOBLISTS
CHARLES THADDEUS TERRY
SCORES MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS.

Counsel 70 n. A. A. M. Says They Are Ridicu-
Ious Because Of Inconsistent and Con-
Trajectory Provfsions-Connecticut and
Florida States Are Excepted-Gossip.
The condition of the motor vehicle laws
throughout the United States b both intol-
cradle and ~ridicslous,- declares Charles Thad-
deus Terry. counsel Of the National Associa-
ton Of Automobile Manufacturers and head
Of the A. A. A.. Legislative board. They are
ridiculous beoause Of their Inconsistent and
contradictory provisions. and they are In
tolerable because Of the fact that no two
States have been able TO agree upon q rea-
sonable and zane Law. which ould regulate
the automobile AZ II should be regulated and
at the same time conserve the righte, Of pedes-
TRANS and users Of horse drawn vehicles.
The farmer 10 not as hostile 70 the automobile
Is has been, represented By the demsgosues
In our Legislatures
Without fair laws good roads are Of no use
TO the automobiles. In thirty-one States we
ind registration Of motor vehicles u required.
In each State there IL . different requirement.
and the fees range from rs cents TO s5S. In
six States the local authorities may require
registration In their particular localities. In
ton States . license to operate Ia required In
addition to registration. In eight States the
registration and license laws Of the other
States are entirely disregarded and non
residents passing through are required to re-
register their vehicles and pass an examination
as to their comprehend drive. In four States
non-residents. exempt from the registration
provision Of State laws. are not exempt from
registration and license requirements enacted
by local authorities. In seven States nom
residents are exempt for periods OF time
ranging from twenty-four hours to sixty
days.
The most striking illustration Of ridicu-
Iou. .nA srtol>rohlo Gtofa opackroanka IN ha
found Ia In the Eastern States. In matters OF
speed and rules OF the road the a~utomobilist
is not only hampered by the divergent and
contradictory State aws but In most States
IL subject to restrictions imposed by local
authorities. The speed limitations range from
four TO twenty miles an hour. chanRin &C
to locality. and the automobflists.
without the slightest negligence or danger
to other users Of the highway may violate
the speed laws six or seven times In q run OF
sixty miles.
There are only two States which at the
time have reasonable and sensible
speed limitation provisions. They are Con-
and Florida. On the whole our motor
law form a most striking demon
most important States. and / have found.
after thorough examination and after appear
ing before many meetings Of farmers and
Of small places. that the cry OF the
State legislators to the effect that the farmer
is hostile to the automobile and that he de-
m ands these radical provisions 10 the law
is without truth. The kick Is not from the
farmer. but rather the chief politician and
who n ever ready to make
out Of the nearest available material.
THE salvation for the antomobiltst and also
for the average citizen IL the enactment OF
q Federal automobile registration bill. as has
been drafted and presented TO Congress by
Representative Cocks. and there Ii not the
slightest question In my mind about II be-
q law, because II 10 recognized as
the only right and expedient means through
all interests may be adequately and
eauitably taken care Of"
Announcement was made yesterday that
the men Interested In the newly formed racing
Association as the ofhoial tlsle for
the body. The charter members are Harry |
s.. Houpt. H. 8. Boupt Company. Thomas:
f. r. Hollander. Fiat Automobile Company.
Fiat. H.. A. Lozier. Lozler Motor Company.
I,ozier; G.. M. Hamilton. Isotta Import Com
3 Sas 81 gar asoi Msnu assaaaai o cemp sanssl sl nS,fes:
P Psnau L. r oT E hio. SsniS1t B T.sest ES HGI%psnIy;
SWH%Rsaa,i chAa asi { e1 P.r S9saFss's s.e E; s'f eisr:.
ence F., Wyqkof was, elected president E. R,
t resasnasi '1 Tse assoeiasio ane viii t" only eo mSeRs
with contests held In New York. city
e r. With. .sn, y n ,lslss e the city; o Il x L. dss cellar 7
70 oppose the American Automobile Associa-
hon ls entirely erroneous. 1T is hoped that
amicable arrangement caa be arrived
1t whereby all interests, including clubs.
and contestants, can get together
on q proper basis without friction" says an
ofhcial announcement.
Harry 8, Houpt Of the Automobile Club Of
declared yesterday he was very
,orry he was unable e, remain In Frepoe
York 10 Paris endurance contest for the
United States. The E. R. Thomas, Motor
II Messfs. Houpt and Bowles Of the Houpt
,opcern, and Il was the sole American con-
sst Grand ri PIX h raos On july july I q and haze hed s.p pc ted
2 remain ln Paris until the globe .girdling
Ihofnas arrived there. but urgent business
oroed him to return a couple Of weeks ago.
rhe. Thomae travelled the entire distance on
and under Its own power. II won the, race
our days before 1t was penelized 80 days for