New-York tribune., 1909-05-28
AUTO BILL Is VETOED
GOVERNOR on VALUE OF
LIFE. AND LIMB.
More Important than the annual
Rerenue of $500, 900 the Bill
Might Hare Produced.
TBy Telegraph 10 The Tribune ]

- limit take away local control of motor
1-erirIes by municipalities especially New York
and establish inadequate penalties for viola
+ious. Governor Hughes to-day vetoed the Hamn
hill seeking 10 impose a tax on motor cars ac-
oording 10 horsepower and provide general
motor vehicle regulation The Governor found
the bill so faulty that, while he was in sym
nathv with its general purpose, ne felt obliged
10 disapprove il
.rThs revenue provisions OF the bill are i'm
-or+arr~ said the Governor But the subject
n paramount consideration at this time is pro-
lection to life and limb" He added. 1T seems
70 me- better TO wait and TO secure an improved
hill than TO enact a measure as defective as this
one appears to be"
The Aids and Hamn bills. Identical save that
into the Senate bill was placed a revision trans
fe-rirg the bureau of automobile registration
from the Office Of the Secretary Of State to the
state Highway Commission, were introduced
about two weeks before the close Of the legis-
Iative session Hasty action was the order of
the DAY.
Important measures though they were they
were rushed along with scarcely cursory inspec-
zion. the fact that an estimated s500000 annual
revenue would be raised suficing 10 still most
objections. The Aids bill was passed by the
Senate. but friends Of Secretary Koenig. who
resented the attempt 10 take the automobile
rural legislators and New York city men in the
Assembly. and killed it, The Hamn bill was
-esurrected the Assembly machine passed the
word to be good" and that measure passed.
though only after sharp fight.
hearing before the Governor brought out
the fact that this bill contained almost every
Thing the big automobile associations. manu-
facturers and motor car owners wanted-so
much in fact. that they were anxious TO pay
the tax imposed on cars by the provisions OF the
proposed law.
Vigorous opposition 70 the measure was
voiced BY representatives Of the National High
ways Protective Association. Ex-Judge Charles
s whitman told the Governor that in his opin-
ion the abolition of the speed limit and the re-
peal Of penalties for violations would increase
hvefold the injuries, damages and deaths in
New York in the next six months.
Particular stress was laid on the fact that
although for a third violation Of the proposed
law an Imprisonment penalty was mandatory,
bail Of only 500 could be demanded. MI Whit
man and others termed this invitation 10
motorists 10 break the law and dodge imprison-
ment by jumping their bail.
GOVERNOR GIVES REASONS.
Governor Hughes. after careful consideration
Of the measure, evidently took much the same
view. He issued the following memorandum
The study OF this measure has convinced that
I. would be un7gise enact it into 1t true
that il provides for an an increase Of the state
rendinE in the Improvement Of our highways and
the revenue provisions Of the bilI important
But the subject OF paramount consideration al
this time IS protection OF life and limb. We are
passing through period Of adjustment when the
.s 'S. a. ,asss b,- sfsa ~ rTilage and otre-s
ohahng under what they regard as vexatious
be more certain than mat motor vehicles
will diminish and that usage aTG common sense
will largely do away with present evils
should be the utmost care in legislation so that
matters should not be made worse instead OF
bin. and il has been strongly urged that it should
and 10 secure an improved bin than TO enact a
measure as defective as this one appears to be
tons Of ten miles an hour TkeTe the territory is
closely built up; fifteen miles an hour elseTheTe here
n city or village. and twenty miles an i h9nr
elsewhere outside Of 4 city or village In addl-
able rate Of speed in ali casesNthat is, that no
3R snS operate 81 motor sss Teee esl On 3a i Tea
and use Of tre brrwaT' or SO as to endanger the
life or limb OF any person OF the safety OF any
This bin abolisheF the specific speed Limitations.
and. with certain changes in phraseology with
regard 10 the duty Of care, proposes as the SOLO
requirement to speed the following;
Section 2s7. Speed permitted.-Every person op-
Grating motor vehicle on the public hghWays
OF this state shall drive the same in careful and
prudent manner and at rate OF speed so as ny ny
o. li-17 Of any person: provided that a rate Of
5TesUr5Dtiye 10 Evidence Of reckless driving
There is much force IN the suggesJicn that re-
Tecred in arbitrary speed limits. But IL must
also BE- remembered that in this field, as in others,
large number Of injuries must inevitably De que
70 mere accident where negligence cannot be sat
isfsctorily proved II Is public Pocy IN oeadIhs Ii
gent persons held TO account but also by
regulation THO 10 ,e ganrbt to be accom-
plished BY speed restrictions. And II Is still an
sec-fr u-f1aT her AZ
resE toward the wider use Of these vehicles of
pleasure and convenience II IS safe TO rely simply
all the difficulties that attend actual proof OF
Il IS certain however that whatever may be
said the wisdom of such a rule With regard
20 the omen country or in sparsely settled towns.
We should not deprive our large cities of the
right make reasonable traffic regulations TO
insure the safety and convenience of the public
THIS cITY's NEEDS.
About one-half Of the population Of this. state
Of that city has sent me vigorous protest against
the provisions of this bill And whatever else
Il takes away from the authorities Of New York
City that reasonable traffic control without which
The present motor vehicle law took effect on
o1s 1se5 II Is tbe tqe an9 that Of Iocai orhahces
But the next year, 1905, the Legislature amended
the Greater New York Charter so as to give the
Police Department the right 10 regulate. direct
control restrict and direct the movement Of all
other vehicles in streets. bridges, squares. parks
snd public places for the faeiiitation OF trafhc
and the convenience Of the public as well as the
proper protection OF human life and health and
70 that end authorized the Police Commissioner
make such rules ana regulations koI Iiie i1.
ouct of vehicular traffic in the use or the puDlc
Necessary" ANY prior provisions Of law incOm-
sstent with this authority were repealed.
The present bill takes away from the loca
authorities the power ito pass. enforce or maintain
any any ordnance ord. rule Or regulation Jon the fres s a
sech public highways. OF in any other way, respect
nns motor vehicles or their speed upon or use o.
hlgnWayE