New-York tribune., 1909-01-19
HIGHWAY JUSTICE.

The question of justice the highways. now
to the fore in New Jersey. concerns not that
state alone but numerous citizens Of other states
and also some important industries. Because or
the laws regulating the use of automobiles on
the roads of New Jersey much resentment has
been expressed and something like n boycott has
hoan declared against various individuals and
industries Thus. certain important materials
used in the manufacture of automobiles are pro
duced in New Jersey and have been largely OBJ
tained thpre hv motor ear makers all over the
land hut now il is announced that supplies VIII
te sought elsewhere in order 10 punish New
Jersey for what is regarded as the ilIiberallty of
its laws Both the propriety OF such course ls
n matter of principle and its efficiency as n mat
fer of practice may be doubted; but there Is
little question that some modification of the
highway laws in New Jersey is desirable Tor
the sake of Justice both to the state and its
citizens and taxpayers and to the muitltudeS or
automobilists from beyond its borders who trav-
erse its roads.
Tho compIaints against the New Jersey Ia VS.
bovn heen chiefly two. One concerns the speed
nrescripton which is said to afford rural con-
stables and justices opportunity for eXtortlon
II Is proha BILE that there have been cases OF suah
abuse though from comparison of the number OF
rpnorts we should doubt If they had been rs
numerous as In some other regions. ana they
have scarcely equaled l per cent OF the num-
her of wilful and dangerous violations of the
law IT seems likely that one of these days
greater discretion as TO speed will be permitted
m automohilists but At the same time justice
will require that they shall be held to stricter
accountability for the consequences of their con-
duct and shall he subject TO heavier pena atleS
for apy damage which may be done through their
excessive speeding That is the system which
prevails in England and it Is said to work salts
factoriIy there Perhaps IL will also In New
Jersey where the administration Of justice re-
se1nbles that of England in promptness and COM
mon sense more than that of some other states.
The other principal complaint is that New
Jersey declines 10 recognize the registration GER
tifcates and numbers of other states, but re-
ouires antomoblists from outside Of New Jersey
to register themselves in that state before they
make use of its roads. That does seem hard.
YET New Jersey is not alone in that policy, Penn
svIyania and various other states also pursuing
r. The outcry against New Jersey on that ac-
cou.t probably. arises chiefly from the fact that
because of its geographical position, the superior
nuality of its roads and the number of attractive
nlaces Of residence and resort within its borders
an exceptionally large number of alien automo-
hiIists visit that state 1t may be that New
Jersey should appreciate the compliment which
is thus paid and should in return be more hos
nitahIe 10 automObilsts from outside. Yet the
state owes duty TO itself and its taxpayers.
IT'S fine roads were built at great cost to its citi-
zens who pay large sums every year to keep,
them in order The greater part of the repairs
Is made necessary by the wear and tear of auto
mobiles. And of the automobiles registered and
used in Nev: Jersey more than half are owned by
non-residents That is TO say, the largest item
of cost for road maintenance is the repairing of