The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1909-12-16
RECOMMENDS CHANGES
President Speare of American Auto
mobile Association Would Change
Methods of the Glidden Tour.

mobile Association Would Change
Methods of the Glidden Tour.
More matters of Importance were
accomplished at the recent two days
session of the American Automobile
Association during it's annual meet
ing at the Hotel Belmont, New York
City, than ever before in the history
of the National organization. Over
fifty directors, representing ten
States were present at the sessions
and the results accomplished mean
that the work during the coming year
in everything that makes for the best
interests of motoring, both as a
pleasure and sport, will be carried
on in broader and more effective
manner than heretofore.
A pleasing feature of the meeting
was President Lewis R. Spears an
nual report showing thorough I'M
derstanding of automobile condi-
lions in all parts of the country, and
a complete grasp of the work of the
various boards. Mr.. Speare is Bos-
ton man and, while he has been we'll
known in automobile circles for many
years it has only been since his ac-
ceptance of the A. A. A.
presidency at the resignation
last year of William H. Hotch-
kiss to accept the Insurance Super
intendency of the State of New York,
that Mr.. Spear has become widely
known in National automobile af-
fairs.
President Speare complimented in
his report the excellent work of the
Contest Board in tribute to the able
manner in which the arduous annual
tours have been managed. He also
spoke at length on the work of the
Legislative Board, urging that the
hearty support of the different State
Associations be given to the Legis-
lative work during the coming year
and showed that the time was ripe
for evidences of this cooperation in
rendering the assistance so neces-
sary to make the first National Leg
islative convention in Washington
next February success, when the
Federal Registration bill will be
brought, before Congress and the
necessity of uniform State Automo-
bile law will be presented to all the
State representatives and delegates
ing of the Massachusetts State Law
said that while not exactly perfect it
is one of the fairest to be found in
the country.
Il would like to urge upon all
Automobiles" he said, "the neces-
sity of standing squarely for fair and
impartial legislation, as i believe the
hest interests of motor car users can
only be obtained by fair and equitable
laws. Reckless driving especially
through our large cities should not
be countenanced by this Association
and the most vigorous steps should
be taken to see that this condition is
changed. To this end / most heart
lily recommend the licensing of all
drivers" The Association ratified
without a dissenting vote this firm
stand for proper observance of all
that is best in automobiling.
Mr.. Speare referred in terms of
hearty appreciation to the earnest
support given by the National Asso-
citation of Automobile Manufacturers
to the A. A. A. governing body in
America.
Among the important recommended
tions was one which will probably
materially change the methods al
though not the objects of the an
nual Glidden Tour. Mr.. Speare sug-
gested that instead of this annual
event being known hereafter under
that name the National Tour should
be conducted as the American Auto
mobile Association National Endur-
ance Run and that the Manufacture
ers' Contest Association be requested
TO draw up rules for such a run at the
close OF which every contestant
shall be given a certificate of per-
formance made in accordance with
the rules adopted by the manufacture
ers but that no trophy be awarded to
any contestant. This met with gen
eral approval and q special commit