The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1909-03-18
Zen Owning Automobiles in Keno.
sha 10 Protest Against the
Proposed New Laws
TO SUPPORT SOME REFORMS
Automobile Drivers Of the City How
ever Will Petition Members to
Work Against too Dras-
tic Legislation

Automobile owners of Kenosha, as
well as those of other cities in the state,
are opposed to many of the bills that
have been proposed or introduced in
the legislature and the majority of
them will be fought ON the ground
that they would be unjust and burden
Some in the extreme. The State Auto
mobile Association, having many mem
bers in Kenosha has sent out circu-
lar calling attention to the bills now
pending and asking that every effort
be made to see that those that are
Objectionable be killed. The Kenosha
automobile owners are requested to in
terview Assemblyman Curtiss and also
Senator Bishop, and point out the in
justice of the Objectionable measures.
A bill introduced by Senator G. L.
Pearson, provides that no one under IL
years Of age shall be permitted to oper-
ate an automobile. This will be sup
ported.
Senator George E. Page introduces a
measure which cuts out the speed linn
it, but makes any one who drives reck-
lessly or while under the influence of
liquor, subject to arrest and provides a
jail sentence for third offense This
bill has the backing of the automobile
owners and is intended to hit the reck-
less driver.
A bill of E. J. Kempf, which prohi-
bits the placing Of bumps On the road,
has hearty support. The bill by G. G..
Wellensgard, which makes it misde-
meanor for any one to use an auto
without the consent of the owner, is
backed up.
Special attention is called to a bill
introduced by Assemblyman William
Bichler. It provides an annual regis
tration fee, as follows: S. for machines
not exceeding five horse power, $40 for
machines not exceeding ten horse
power, and so cents per horse power
for each additional horsepower above
ten. All registrations expire January
1, and in cases of sale, the bill re-
quires new registration of the ma
chine by the owner; dealers are re-
CURED to pay a. registration fee of 81
annually and So each for additional
number plates; all moneys derived
under this law, after paying the motor
vehicle department of the state, are
to be used for improvement Of the high
ways. This bill is opposed, as is bill
of Assemblyman Kemper which is pat
termed after bill 482A., except that the
annual license fee is to be based upon
classifcations of machines by weight.
Kenosha owners Of machines say they
will fight these bills to a finish, as be-
ing unjust and burdensome.
AS the secretary Of the state claims
his department to date is upwards of
$1,000 shy on the registration and fur
nishing Of number plates, the executive
committee Of the Wisconsin State Au-
tomobile association favors raising the
initial registration fee to So, but to
oppose the feature of annual renewal
registration, which is deemed unneces-
sary and which serves no special pur-
pose except additional bother and I'M
necessary labor.
In order that the state may be re-
imbursed for it's loss up to date, the
committee suggests that all machines
now in use be registered, retaining
present number plates and that a fee
Of ST. be charged therefor It is urged
that bills 482A and 500 A be killed, as
imposing an unfair burden on the own
ers of automobiles. A bill offered by
A. B. Comstock, attempts to nullify
the effect of section 1927 of the statutes
which now cempels the maintenance of
guide boards by the several towns, by
making it merely optional with each
town chairman. 1t is claimed that few
towns would comply with this and
hence the automobilists are opposed to
the measure and in favor of sign boards
at all corners in the state.
Senator E. S. Lon, has a bill which
requires state inspection of gasoline,
and prohibits sale of gasoline testing
below 65 degrees. The oil people claim
that such inspection is bound to raise
the price Of gasoline to the consumer.
Another bill provides that each city in
the state may control locally the use
Of and provide for licensing of vehicles
upon its streets Both Of these are
considered wrong step. There are a
number Of good bills before the legis-
lature and the automobiles are in
favor of them. It is suggested that a
lobby, with one or two automobiles on
the ground, would be good thing.