New-York tribune., 1908-03-21
TIMELY AUTO TOPICS.
What the Proposed Uniform Motor
Vehicle Bill Would DO.

Tho new hill FOR the regulation and Registration
OF motor vehicles of the State OF Ne" 1o'h coh-
forms as nearly as possible to the UNIFORM motor
vehicle bill as suggested by the American Auto
mobile Association. which is now being consloereu
by the legislatures of the states OF Ohio and Mass
achusetts. This is the first step toward estaohsh-
ing uniform legislation for motor vehicles. Inc
marked difference between this bill and the present
motor vehicle Law was explained in detail yester-
day by Oliver A. Quale, President OF the NC"
York State Automobile Association as follows:
The bill provides for the annual registration Oh
motor vehicles and for the payment or fees sum-
ciently large in amount to be equivalent 10 TAXA
those vehicles by the state 1t is anticipated
that the revenue derived from this taxation Will
return the state for the first year from 25oo 70
$500 CO., with substantial increase each year there
after. motor vehicles multiply All OF the revenue
obtained shall be paid to the special fund for the
maintenance OF state highways The fees 10 De
paid to be based upon weight. and should vary
from s. for the lightest vehicle to not more than
SIS for the 5000 pound cars
A positively thorough method OF Identification
OF motor vehicles when on the public highways Is
provided for In the provision that all vehicles shall
hereafter carry numbers Oront and rear), the said
numbers 70 be changed IN color each year and
be issued and provided by the Secretary or state
Severe penalties are imposed for violations Of this
provision.
In addition to the usual provisions as to lamps.
horns. etc, there is entirely new provision pro-
NS'ANNS'
cept when the highway is covered with Ice or sno"
or in an otherwise dangerous condition.
The usual exemption Of nonresident owners the
same prohibition against local ordinances anect'ng
automobiles is in the present law. together with
brief definition of permissive speed, which corre-
spends to that recognized in foreign countries and
very much like the provision of the connecticut
law, which is in operation to-day.
To assist local magistrates in enforcing the law
as to the second and third offences provision is
made for the transmission of records of convictions
under the law to the Secretary OF State who In
turn is obliged to notify all the county clerks OF
the state of all speed violations. Along the same
line there is a provision requiring the Secre-
tary of State to file with each county clerk list
of registered motor vehicle owners and registered
chauffeurs, and to file each thirty days supple
mental list showing registrations to date, TO the
end that local authorities may ascertain the tden-
tity of persons who violate the law, and do injury
to others while operating motor vehicles.
Besides the local penalties for violations. which
are somewhat severe than those at present IN
force II will be possible to annul the certificate Of
registration of any vehicle that uses fictitious
number and suspend for period Of time the
right Of any chauffeur to operate any motor vehi-
Gle in of conviction.
In addition there is a provision making 1t q mis-
demeanor for any person to tamper with or use a
motor vehicle without the consent of its owner.
This bill is the result Of many conferences be-
tween leading members Of the Legislature and rep
resentatives Of the New York State Automobile AS
socaton, and it is thought 10 give effect to an
understanding between representative interests
whereby the present law shall be brought up TO
date and made easily enforceable, and where
by the motor vehicle of the state acquiesce
In the payment of annual registration fee for
the express purpose of maintaining improved high
ways.