The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-01-05
LOCAL AUTOISTS
INDORSE FIGHT
FOR GOOD ROADS
Uniform Speed Law Propo-
sition Strikes Respon-
SiVe Chord.
Times Plan to Support Mary
land Club Generally
Approved.

Washington automobile dealers not
only approve OF the fight being made by
j Iaryland autOists for better roads and
uniform steep laws, but stand willing IL
give the Maryland Auto Club, which is
conducting the campaign, any assist
Rnce 10 their power.
The bill being drafted BY Osborne I.
Ye!lott provides for the appointment By
the governor OF a commission. to con-
sist Of three members. who s...sGl! have
the right To license motor ears, ex-
anime the drivers thereof in order 70
determine their fitness. and TO investi-
gate all violations OF sDeed laws and
accidents due to reckless driving.
Wallace c. Hood. Of the Motor Car
Company, pointed out some OF the in
constituencies of the present system
prevalent in Maryland by which mu-
inequalities have free rein IN adjusting
the speed laws within their limits i
have always been a strong supporter Of
the idea of a uniform speed law, and
the conditions In Maryland furnish an
excellent commentary on the faults OF
the haphazard methods now in vogue"
said he
Varied Speed Regulations.
For example, IN Washington ana
Baltimore the speed limit Give
miles per hour. If this rate is not too
dangerous for large cities it certainly
should be sufficient for country high
ways. Yet in small towns OF from 500 to
| 100 population the limit is apt to vary
| from six TO eight miles. This is, on the
face Of it. ridiculous.
Not only is this an imposition be-
cause 1t Is unnecessary. but the mOtoris;
/ who has not acquainted himself with
/ the various regulations is apt to err on
| account OF ignorance OF the hush codes.
| It IS certainly up to Washington motor
/ lists 10 help the cause along when il is
| brought before the Maryland LeEisla-
/ ture, and !, for one. will Lau into line
/ with any movement 20 support the Bal
| tImoreans IN their fight"
Has Faith In Dealers.
Royce Hough, OF the Pope agency,
| sI7-I9 Fourteenth street. thinks that
there would be little trouble in getting
the support OF the Washington dealers
for some concerted action. 1T viii be
/ remembered that the Washington
| agents are largely responsible for the
present boulevard which is in course
| Of construction between Washington and
! the Monumental City. About the time
| that the appropriation for the enter
| prize was brought before the Legisla-
/ ture il met with the strongest kind Of
/ opposition from several sources. The
union labor organizations in western
/ Maryland lined up against IL because
! convict labor was 20 be used in the
| construction.
| Practically all the representa- tives
| from the southern counties opposed il
| because OF the expenditure OF so 000
/ would not benefit them IN the least and
| they claimed II was practically an
! automobile highway that was planned.
| The automobile interests Of Baltimore
/ were marshaled TO the support of the
! bill, and the aid OF the Washington
/ motorists was solicited and cheerfully
given. Many local dealers gave a great
| deal OF time to the cause, ana their
| activity along with that from the Bal