New-York tribune., 1908-02-07
A PLEA FOR AUTOISTS.
GOYERNOP FORT A FRIEND
President H0tchhiss Demands Jer-
sen Justice" for Motorists.

mobile laws in New Jersey.
Governor Fort was the guest of honor. while a
former Governor. Franklin Murphy. and j. B. K
Smith head Of the department of motor vehicle
rep,stration and regulation, also present
The American Automobile Association was repre-
sented by President William H. Hotchkiss. Lewis
r. Speare. Frederick HI. Elliott. the secretary ;
Charles r. Terry, chairman of the legislative
board: Frank B. Hover and A. G. Batchelder
Angus Sinclair. president of the local organization
presided
Addresses made by Governor Fort Presi-
dent Hotchkss C. T. Terry, Ex-Governor Murphy
and Commissioner Smith. all of them having to do
with the subject of legislation and road regulation
APPLAUSE FOR THE GOVERNOR
Governor Fort in a speech punctuated by loud
applause came out hatly In favor of automobilins
in general and promised his aid In everything that
would uplift the pastime In New Jersey. He sup
ported the establishment of separate auto de-
partment for the state and his attitude was that
of a sincere friend. His remarks aroused re-
markable demonstration He said in part:
II am glad greet many men who are able
to own automobiles. have not yet come to that
state of luxury I travelled 20oi miles In twenty
days during my campaign. and Of course we did
not violate the law regards speed. L learned
something of the roads. and cannot recall one
mile of it that not all that could be desired
by autoists."
The Governor then went into some statistics as
to cost and maintenance of the roads, and contin-
ued by saying:
There is one thing which I hope to see estab-
hshed in this state, and that is a department for
automobiles and motor vehicles There two
which go to show that the putting into ef-
feet of such a scheme would be benefit to the
state and automobile 1 might say the
chief reason would be that with such department
we would derive revenue which will equal any
other obtained by the state, that which We
receive from corporation taxation. We should at
able basis. The other reason is that should
have the best roads any state in the Union, and
with the money derived we would be in position
to repair and otherwise maintain these roads. That
is what propose should be done with the money
derived by the proposed department 1t is my de-
sire to see, after the establishment of such de-
partment. legislative body that will provide that
every dollar of revenue go to repair and maintain
roads"
The Governor directed attention to the report
filed yesterday by the committee on automobile
laws. and commended the recommendations made
by It, which he said were more in line with sugges-
tions contained in his Inaugural message. As to
the manner of taxing motor vehicles the Governor
said he favored either of two methods. He sug-
gested taxation basis of horsepower. which
he added was probably better than what Sen
stor Frelinghuysen, the father of automobile laws
in New Jersey. suggested to him few days ago.
that of levyng a tax according 10 the weight of the
vehicle.
But II Is up TO you 10 sette@upOn Wndt you
think best" the Governor continued And you
must fight It out with the legislative committee
The Governor referred to possible objection to
this taxation plan the ground that 1T would i'm
pose additional expense for the maintenance of
vehicles but he declared the good results that
would naturally follow would more than repay
autoists The Governor said that he was with the
automobsts of the state when 1t came to bet
terment of the conditions of autoing in the state.
but added that he did not favor riding at break
neck speed
"A fellow who does that" the Governor declared.
with emphasis. Ought to go to Jail. And be
frank with you. I would do all that lay in my
power to send him there" The Governor paid
tribute to State Commissioner ]. B. r. Smith for
the work of his department. and added: There is
another matter. ard do not know whether dare
suggest it. Every tire that goes the good roads
of state should he taxed. BY this L do not
mean an excessive tax. From this source we
should derive enough revenue to satisfy the farmer
and everybody else who use our roads"
The Governor created the greatest stir when he
strongly asserted that he did not want to any
vehicle the road at night without light,
whether automobile or carriage. He advised the
autoists to be reasonable in all their demands and
promised that he would be with them to the end.
PLEA FOR REASONABLE LAWS.
William H Hotchkiss. of Buffalo. president of the
American Automobile Association made a strong
plea for Jersey justice" far motorists were
concerned. in address that heartily ap-
plauded. He pointed out what he considered the
unfairness and strngency of the motor vehicle law
in New Jersey. and asked those present to lend
their aid in throwing down the wall which is being
built against tourists from other states He said
in part:
Jersey tustice The rogue. it's said. here has
short shrift. the punishment always fits the crime
wrong is done man, and common sense Is law.
And you sum it all up In the phrase Jersey JUS
tice."
Still somehow. New Yorker and a motorist
may be excused the question-and in all serious
neSS-whatS wrong with Jersey justice when ap-
piled to motor users. particularly those from other
states? Your people are not unlike ours; many OF
your municipal services. your buildings. your gen
eral laws much the same; and tonight this
why, even New Workers could do no better, per-
haps well. More. 1 stepped from the
ferry and walked to the train to-day. was not
halted and asked whether l had registered and
been tagged from Trenton, though the officer on
guard must have guessed that l would long
help wear out your sidewalks, De guided by the
radiance of your street lights and enjoy the pro-
lection of your police And yet. was not stopped
unknown official the Delaware through
whom New Jersey could retain jurisdiction of my
body and property, In case / might heedesSly viO-
late your laws accidentally invade the rights OF
Jerseymen.
For gentlemen. let it be recorded that this day
of grace, the 9Th of February. 1903. a New Yorker
and motorist boarded "A ferryboat with delber-
ate intent 10 use your streets and sidewalks and
purloin from for the time all those public
vices which make modern life 50 easy. and that
after using them as freely as the air he breathed
he is here in Newark tonight. unlicensed. I'M
tagged, unattorneyed-and still at large You know
the reason. Like tens Of thousands more. in set
ting out for New Jersey he left his automobiIe al
And so again ask: What's the matter with