New-York tribune., 1909-04-08
TO DISCUSS AUTO LAW
MEETING IN ALBANY.
Mr. Terry Talks on Curling Drivers
7cith Speed Mania.

meeting Of vital importance to automobilists
throughout the state will be held to-day IN Albany
under the auspices Of the New York State Auto
mobile Association. The purpose OF the meeting
is 10 discuss motor legislative questions that may
be brought 10 the attention Of the Legislature at
Albany during the present session. In view OF
the strong public sentiment that has been aroused
on the subject Of reckless driving special atten-
ton viii be given 10 the speed question, its viola
ton and the means that be adopted 70 Grad
cate this evil by influence Of the clubs and the
nhction of drastic penalties in cases where clear
lack OF care for the safety of the public is shown,
President Meldrum Of Buffalo. the new president
OF the state Automobile Association, will preside
at the meeting which viii be held at the Hotel Ten
Evck and among those who will be present will
be Charles Thaddeus Terry. chairman Of the legis-
latye board Of the American Automobile Assoca-
tion: Frederick II. Elliott, secretary ot the Amer
lean Automobile Association; Frank @. Webb and
Or. ". p. Richardson. chairman Of the legislative
committee of the Long Island Automobile CIub' III
addition representatives from the BronNviIe and
Mount Vernon clubs, and all of the leading auto
mobile clubs up the In talking OF the meet
ing Yesterday Mr. Terry said:
The position that has always been taken by
the American Automobile Association. and there
fore by its affiliated clubs. has been the securing Of
proper laws for autoists and then the strict
forcement Of such laws against reckless motorists
The manufacturers over n week ago showed now
thoroughly they in accord with this sentiment
bv refusing to sanction the transcontinental con-
il is 10 he and therefore opposed 10 the posi-
ton taken by the automobile manufacturers OF the
country with the various state legislatures Such
2 contest In the view of the manufacturers, would
mean continuous speeding, in violation Of state
laws.
The American Automobile Association Is thor
oughIy in accord with the recently organized Ma
tional Highways Protective Society in its efforts
to suppress excessive auto speeding. One Of the
great difficulties has been that the authorities in
many large cities. especially in New York. are not
able 10 cope satisfactorily with the evil, through
lack Of sufficient men keep taps on speeding
autoists.
The present seems more than adequate 10
prevent speed violations if it were stringenty en-
forced For third offence The law send the
offender 10 iat Vet Jail sentences have been COM
nsrativelv few II a careful record could be kept
of the offenders so that II would be. possible 10
tell when a man has been arrested for three or
more violations effective penalties could be i'm
nosed and the present difficulty in enforcing the
law would be minirized. The public also might
take a greater interest in the matter and notify
clubs whose members are known TO be breakers OF
the law l suggested five years ago TO the SyFa-
cuse club that all members known TO be reckless
drivers should be summoned for hearing ana II
guilty second time suspended. II the public ana
the automobile clubs would strive TO enforce some
system like this. in ADDITION 10 the vigilance OF
the authorities. the speed driving mania would l
am cure almost cease TO exist
Kansas CITY Mo, April THE Thomas car
which is acting as pathfinder for the New York
left Kansas City for the West this