The Washington herald., 1908-03-29
GOSSIP OF The AUTOS
Dawn of Better Era in the
Laws of New jersey.
MAY RAISE THE SPEED LIMIT
Amendment Introduced by Assem-
bIyman Colgate Means Beginning
of Fairer Attitude by SoIOns-Com-
ing BrinrcIin Race Attracting the
Lions Share of Attention.

A champion Of the too long oppressed
automobilist has arisen in the State legls
lature OF New Jersey. He is Assembly
man Austen Colgate, of Essex County
and has introduced an amendment TO TIT
present motor vehicle bill which, If en-
the hearts of many rural New Jerse!
justice of the peace and constable during
the coming summer.
The amendment proposed is that tn
speed limit for cars on roads in the opeI
country shall be placed at thirty miles
an hour instead OF twenty miles an hour
as ii is at present. To New Jersey motor
lists the introduction of this amendmen
by Assemblyman Colgate is particular,
significant as he has been made a colone
and a personal aid on the staff OF Gov
Fort. and it is understood tkat the amend
ment in question has the approval OF th'
governor. and the motorists hope it vii
become part of the law.
II the measure is passed by both house:
it will be hailed with joy not only by
automobilists Of New Jersey. but by
scores Of New York and Pennsylvania
motorists as we'll In some parts Of the
state IT has been the custom for rura
justices and special constables TO meas
ure of stretches of the roads and arrest
and fine every automobile driver who ex-
ceeded the legal speed limit rate By hall
a mile an hour. even though no pedes-
trian or other vehicle of any sort was in
sight. A well-kpown member Of the New
Jersey Automobile and Motor Club. OF
Newark. said last night that he hoped the
introduction of Col. Colgates amendment
meant the dawn Of better era IN motor
vehicle legislation in his State. partieu-
larly as when Gov. Fort attended the
clubs annual dinner few weeks ago. IN,
chief executive Of New Jersey seemed q
think the only good automobilists were
was 10 pay taxes in the guise OF car
registrations or driving license fees.
stop Reckless Driving.
It seems likely that the French Cham
Der Of Deputies win enact some sort OF
a measure 10 discourage the practice
reckless drivers have OF continuing or
after having. directly OF indirectly. caused
an accident. The reasonable automo-
bilists Of the country are in favor OF the
idea. as those who drive away after a
mishap OF any kind have always been
condemned by motoring organizations. II
is proposed in France TO make such ar
offense punishable by Imprisonment for
six days 10 two months, with a fine
graded 10 III the case. in addition 10 any
civil or criminal penalties TO which the
offender may be judged liable.
Several Of the city departments OF St
Louis are using automobiles. and the
motor vehicles have been so satisfactory
that number Of the heads of depart
ments that have not been supplied with
cars have applied for machines.
Announcement was made yesterday that
Herbert H. Lytle had been engaged to
drive the AppersOn which sidney B. Bow
man had entered in the Briarclin trophy
contest in Westchester County on April
"a. Lytle won the stock car race for run
abouts at Savannah on Wednesday Of last
week and finished second to the Isolta-
Fraschini in the big Savannah challenge
trophy event on Thursday. He was the
only driver Of an American car TO ever
finish in the James Gordon Bennett race
In Europe. and competed in two Of the
Vanderbilt Cup races and in the American
elimination trial for the 1906 Vanderbilt
event
In his report made at the annual meet
ing of the American Automobile Associa-
tion President Hotchkiss advocated a new
specific campaign for individual member
ships. The appeal is based on the fact
that the benefits bestowed upon. motorists
by the work Of the national organizat ton
are so great that a sense Of justice will
impel men TO take out a personal card
when the matter is properly presented.
The cost Of an individual membership is
only 81 a year.
The officers of the Automobile Club Of
Cincinnati have found that the publica-
ton of their monthly bulletin, with a Sc
ries Of maps of good touring routes in
the southern part Of Ohio. is proving
good ammunition in their campaign for
new members.