The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-13
FEDERAL AUTO TAG
CAMP IGN ON HERE
Capital Selected as Meeting
Place of Those Who Want
General License.

Washington today was selected as
the place for the national automobile
legislative convention next December.
This meeting ia one OF the most i'm
portant annual events on the motoring
calendar. and VIII be held under the
auspices of the American Automobile
Association.
The decision TO hold the convention
IN this city was reached at a meeting
OF the executive committee OF the A
A. a in New York. The arrange
ments for the gathering were placed
in charge of the legislative board of
the association. OF which Charles
Thaddeus Terry is chairman.
Washington was chosen because the
campaign for H Federal registration
bill viii be the chief work of the
convention this year. and an attempt
will be made to present the measure
10 Congress while the automobilists
are in this city. The Washington
Automobile ClCb viii take an active
part IN the campaign for Federal
license. and VIII entertain the visiting
delegates.
The large number Of automobile
contests held this year have aroused.
IL is said, wider interest than ever be-
fore - the question OF a general
license for automobiles travelling
Through more than one State.
The annoyance to which motorists
engaged IN interstate travel are sub
5eeted is emphasized with every auto
endurance run that extends across the
border Of more than one State and
was never more foTclbly brought TO
light than by an investigation of the
conditions that must attend the run
ming OF the Frank A. Munsey relia-
bility run. The route Of this tour viii
lie IN the District OF Columbia and in
six states.
Hard on Contestants.
Since no provision is made for a
general license for autos touring
through more than one State, con-
xestants IN this run must comply with
The widely varying requirements Ia
each State. While these requirements
are for the most part equitable in
themselves the annoyance and incOn-
venience Of stopping to secure a
license, each time By a different
method, may be appreciated This IN
convenience forms one of the chief
arguments for the advocates of
Federal license which will be regis
tered in Washington. and will super
Eede all State licenses when an auto
IS engaged IN interstate travel.
The fight for Federal license through
Congressional legislation has been car
ried on largely under the direction Of
Charles Thaddeus Terry. general ooun-
sci for the legislative board OF the
american Automobile Association.
The conditions sffecting the question
5n various States" SAYS Mr. Terry.
''could not possibly be so dissimilar and
diverse as 10 call for the inconsistent
and divergent Ct nditlons that are con-
fained IN the moIor vehicle laws OF the
several States. II would seem reason
able 10 presume that statutory pro
visions. adequate for the protection Of
the users Of the highways in one State
would be equally adequate for the pr5-
lection Of the users OF the highways IN
other states, ana yet there are no two
states In which there are the same pro
visions Of law regulating the use Of the
automobile. No driver Of an automo-
bile could guess. from his knowledge Of
motor vehicle laws OF one jurisdiction,
after he has passed geographical line
ana entered another jurisdiction"
The Way In Maryland.
The Munsey run will lie through the
District Of Columbia. Maryland. Penn
Eylvsnia. Nav York. Massachusetts,
Connecticut and New Jersey. To regis
ter in Maryland. application must be
made TO the secretary Of state AZ An
napohs. For this license. a fee of s.
Is charged. Only the Maryland reglstra-
ton number can be displayed while in
that State.
IN Pennsylvania the procedure is
widely different There the motorigt
must comply with the rules of the state
highway commission, and a blank must
be secured from the commission on
which TO make application Here. the
license number must be displayed on