Evening star., 1909-06-20
MAKES MANY CHANGES
Maryland's Proposed New
Auto Law Is Complete.
WILL GO TO THE GOVERNOR
Features of the Measures Soon to
Be Introduced.

Features of the Measures Soon to
Be introduced.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.
BALTIMORE, Md, June 10 1909
The proposed new automobile law for
Maryland. as drafted by tho automobile
commission. of which State Senator j.
Charles Linthicum is chairman. will be
placed In the hands OF Gov. Crothers
within the next few days. When the law
had been drawn by the commission a
special committee representing the Auto
mobile Club OF Maryland had q confer
ence with that body In the ONCE of Gov.
Crothers and after a few minor changes
had been made a measure was drawn
which is satisfactory TO both sides.
The principal features Of the proposed
faw. which Is now practically in shape
for Introduction in the legislature. are:
Appointment by the governor. with the
advice and consent OF the state senate. of
a commissioner OF motor vehicles at an
annual salary OF S2.4OO. whose Office is
to be in Baltimore city.
Issuance, upon application to the COM
missioner. of certificates of registration
ard number. which must be displayed
conspicuousy upon both the front and
rear of the vehicle.
Licenses for operators OF automobiles
fixed at 81. and penalty for operation OF
a vehicle by an unlicensed person fixed
at sum not exceeding 800. or imprison-
ment In the city or county Jail for
period not exceeding sixty days.
Annual Fees for Automobiles.
Annual fees for automobiles as fol-
lows:
Vehicle used only for transporta-
tion of merchandise. ....-....... $500
20-horsepower and not over. GOO
Over 90 and not over so. ............ 900
Over 30 and not over 40. ............ 1900
over 40 -....-...-.--.-.. .-.-.--.. -4.oo
Fees annually for operators: 81 to eper-
ate motor vehicles other than motorey-
cies; 81 to operate motorcycles.
Authority given commissioner to revoke
either operators license certificate for
machine.
Permission to nonresident owners of
automobiles to use the state highways
and roads without taking out license
for two periods not exceeding seven days
each in every year.
Regulation of speed Of automobiles TO
twelve miles an hour in the thickly set
tied or business parts of cities, towns or
villages; eighteen miles an hour In the
outlying parts of cities. towns or villages,
twenty-five miles an hour in the open
country. outside of the limits Of cities.
towns or villages.
Violation of Law to Race.
1t is made a violation Of the law for
any person to operate motor vehicle on
the public highways when intoxicated. in
a race or on a wager or bet
In case of accident the operator of a
machine is required to stop, furnish his
name and number of license and render
what assistance is in his power.
Boards of county commissioners or other
proper local authorities having charge OF
the roads and highways may. in their
discretion, set aside for a given time
specified public highway for speed con-
tests or contests between motor vehicles,
TO be conducted under such proper restrie-
tions as they may determine for the
safety and convenience of the public.
1t shall be unlawful for any toll road
company TO charge or collect toll for
motor vehicle in excess of that charged
tor each vehicle drawn by two horses.
Requirements as to Lights.
Every motor vehicle other than motor
cycle, while in use on the. pubic high
ways of Maryland. shall be provided with
adequate brakes and with suitable bell.
horn or other device for signaling
and shall during the period of one
hour after sunset to one hour be-
fore sunrise display two or more
white lights on the forward part of such
vehicle. so placed as to be seen from the
front and of sufficient Illuminating power
to be visible at a distance of 200 feet,
and shall also display in the rear OF such
vehicle lamp so placed that it shall
show a red light from the rear and a
white light from the side and so arranged
as to illuminate the rear number or
marker. and a motor cycle shall display
on the forward part one white light.
Justices of the peace may impose for
violations of the law a fine not exceeding
800 or thirty days in Jail, or both, for
the first offense, and $500 or sixty days
in Jail, or both, for subsequent onenses.
but the defendant is given the right of
appeal as in other cases.
All vehicles when being driven upon the
highways OF MARYLAND upon meeting
others shall turn to the right of the
center Of the highway SO as to pass with
out interference and any vehicle SO over
taking another going in the same direc-
tion shall pass to the left OF the vehicls
SO overtaken. said. vehicle so overtaken
shall promptly upon signal turn TO the
right in order to allow free passage on
the left. At the intersection Of pubic
highways all vehicles shall keep to the
right OF the center of such Ligways, when
turning to the right and pass TO the right
Of the center Of such intersection when
turning to the left.
Unlawful to Accept Discounts.
There Is a provision making II un-
lawful for an operator TO accept any
bonus, discount or consideration from
sellers OF supplies or on work done by
others on a machine. II is also made
unlawful to give such discount or bonus.
All motor vehicles used by police and
tire departments and salvage corps are
exempt from the operations Of the law.
All receipts OF the commissioner for
motor vehicles over and above the sal
aries and expenses of his Office are to
be turned over by him to the states
roads commission for use on the public
highways.
This act shall take effect the first
Monday In May, 1870 but no prosecu-
tions based upon Its sections shall be
brought for any offenses committed
prior to July !, 1910, provided that every
numbered and registered vehicle under
the acts of 1906. shall during the period
between the first Monday In May, 191o
and July 1. 1910. display such number