New-York tribune., 1908-04-06
NEW STATE AUTO BILL
SOME NOTABLE CHANGES.
Miles an Hour Speed Limit Ehmi-
mated IN Proposed Measure.

A hill regulatfug the use and Identification Of
motor vehicles while operated on the public nigh
ways OF the state was introduced in the Senate
and Assembly Friday. This bill is understood
TO represent the results OF several conferences
between the New York State Automobile Associa-
ton. representing motor users OF the state ana
the prominent members OF the Legislature and
will undoubtedly become law. 1t will take the
place OF the present motor vehicle law passed IN
1904. II follows quite closely the so-caled uni
form motor vehicle bill proposed by the American
Automobile Association and now being considered
by the legislators of other states and, II passed
viii take effect on July l. 1905.
The bill makes several notable changes in the
present statute. To meet the prevailing view that
motor vehicles seriously injure the improved high
ways and should. therefore. contribute consider
able sum toward the maintenance of such high
ways. the bill substitutes for the present small
registration fee an annual registration tax graded
upward from 81 for small vehicles and dependent
upon the weight of the vehicle. This. it is esti-
mated, will result in revenue which. under the
terms Of the bill. be used in the maintenance
of the improved roads of the state. amounting to
upward of s400 900. The registration tax includes
the furnishing by the state without cost Of the two
number placards which the bill requires every
vehicle to carry
Recognizing that this fee is a tax. the bill ex-
empts all motor vehicles from taxation per-
sonal property. Vehicles used solely for
mercial purposes will be registered at half the
fees required OF the owners of pleasure vehicles.
In nc event more than $40 and Will not be exempt
ed from ordinary taxation
The bill also includes several clauses making
for easier Identification thus it requires
bers annually, the number plates to be of diff
ferent colors each year. More. it requires that
these numbers he displayed on both the front and
the rear OF the vehicle. that they he fixed rigidy
TO the vehicle, not TO swing, and that the
rear number be Illuminated at night Still fur
ther. and perhaps important. the display Of any
number on a motor vehicle other than that issued
by New York is prohibited.
AS a means TO the detection OF chronic Offenders.
the Secretary of State is required 10 Furnish each
county clerk with list Of registered vehicles and
registered chauffeurs. and provision IL also made
for the entry on these lists of the records Of vio
lations Of the speed provisions Of the law.
. 1t being thought that the time is come when the
common law rule applicable to the speed of horse
drawn vehicles can be applied TO motor vehicles
the arbitrary limit Of miles hour is eliminated
and permissive speed is made dependent solely on
the width, condition and OF the highway at
the time and the general and usual rules of the
make the penalties for the violation Of the speed
provisions OF the law much more severe and to
give wide discretion in the matter Of punish
ment TO magistrates charged with the enforce
ment Of the law Hence. should the bill become
a law, it will hereafter be possible for magis-
tratelto penalize excessive speeding by a fine Of
not more than $3.50 for a first offence and by a
fine not exceeding 500 for second offence or
Imprisonment not exceeding six months. both
Irs| no other way has 1t been thought possible to
enforce the common law rule to permissive
speed, above stated Nor is 1t believed that the
extreme penalty will ever be asserted against any
but old offenders and those who by their conduct
on the streets and public highways bring motorists
generally into disrepute
The bill takes from local authorities all power TO
regulate the usaiof or TO tax motor vehicles The
bill also provides that non-skdding devices may be
used only when the highways wet slippery or
covered with Ice and snow. and contains the usual
provisions exempting manufacturers and dealers
from annual registration There are also pro-
visions compelling motorists to stop on signal
and exempting 'non-resdents Of the state from
registering, providing they have registered their
vehicles under similar laws in their own states
ald that they display their state numbers when
operating such vehicles in this state
1t is thought that this bill when passed will mark
the beginning Of a era In the treatment Of
step toward the day when motor vehicle laws will
be as dead letters the bicycle laws passed
fifteen years ago and still on She books
While Its penalties Will first blush seem Sc
we're the placing of the motor vehicle on a parity
with all other vehicles the highway and the
removal or all arbitrary miles hour restrictions
Is the nigh water mark in motor vehicle legisa-
ton thus far on the other hand the rnotorists
OF New York, thoroughly organized and militant
ana thus able to make their views felt are the
hrst OF the organized motorists OF the world tn
formally recognize that, until highways can be
constructed that will resist the suction and wear
OF these/vehicles and their rubber tires. govern
ment has the right to ask a or tax from such
the damage thus done.