New-York tribune., 1909-05-09
TO URGE MOTOR BILL
WITH GOVERNOR NOW.
Local Autoists to Urge Him to Sign
Measure on TueSdau.

significant feature In connection with ths rs~
automobile bill. according to well known no
tortst and the criticisms called forth BY %
its provisions is the fact that motorists themselves
have not only willingly consented to pay hlxher
fees. but. in Governor Hughes signs the bnl.
they are actually rendering themselves more Haels
to police espionage for careless driving than has
hitherto been the case The automobile interests of
the state will be well represented at the bearing
on the bill IN Albany Tuesday Motorists BE-
lieve it is time TO make firm stand for thsir
rights said this man. This will be done in no
beilicose mood. but the sentiment has been steadily
growing since the assaults made upon the bin that
in view Of the and time expended IN prep
aration and the fact that its trainers were men
who have always insisted upon sane driving and q
courteous observance of the rights OF all Of
the highway, the Aids -Haun law should be vigor-
ously supported. William H. Hotchkiss. former
president OF the American Automobile Association.
State Superintendent Of Insurance.. and Charles
Thaddeus Terry, Of this city. chairman Of ths
American Automobile Association legislative board
were the actual trainers OF the bill. and sits pro-
visions represent the results OF their study OF auto
mobile legislation in various parts OF the country
The criticisms on the bill indicate lack Of thor
ough study of 'he subject" said Charles L Terry
yesterday. up this time, far as know. only
three suggestions have been made whereby the btu
might be improved.
First it is said that the new bin prohibits ths
enactment Of special ordinances and regulations
governing motor vehicles by local authorities.
question Is the same in all respects the statute
which has been law for than five years. sx-
oept that a part OF the old provision has oee1
omitted from the measure because IT was .
dead letter II would be unwise. unfair and intol-
erabIe TO allow local authorities without limitation
to pass any and all ordinances. rules and rssula-
tons they might choose to restrict the use OF ons
highways by motor vehicles.
We have had complete demonstration Of the
folly OF such license to local authorities Under
Fha old cd Raj Ct un
vehicle law Of the state for a few months. tested
in The courts and declared unconstitutional. local
authorities given full license 70 make sueh
regulations as they might choose, and the rssuir
was that throughout the state OF New York thsre
were several hundred different and constantly vary
ing automobile laws, with which no motor venicle
driver could possibly be acquainted. and which he
vas therefore bound to violate innocently. sooner
or later. thereby making himself criminal
'eThe situation thus created was seen by every
fair-rinded man to intoIerable. and accordingly
the statute repealed at the next session of ths
legislature
'second-It has been said with reference % tne
bill that 500 bail is too small. because IL would
enable offenders easily TO avoid the consequences
OF their acts by simply forfeting that amount or
money. The fact is the bail in question Is 20
be given only fo- offences under the act hselrs
whereas the act in many words provides rnar
punishment under the act shall not be exclusive
but that the authorities shall be LEFT free 20 dtct
under any other law; so that II the offender has
been guilty Of criminal negligence. the authorities
are AT liberty hold him upon that charge as wen
as upon charges under the act
''Third-The only other suggestion which has been
made in opposition to the bill relates TO the speed
provision The speed provision. embodied in the
bill is IN the opinion Of all those who have had
to do with the subject for any considerable tlTne
the best safeguard Of the highway users rights
that has ever been framed It has been Demon
strated concusvely that milesan-hour limitations
do not protect the public upon the highways. but
that on the other hand they constantly result IN
the apprehension and punishment OF those realiy
innocent Of negligence and the frequent escape OF
those who have been guilty Of grossly excessiVe
speed-
.T-n5Ar the miles -an-hour provisions taking the
old law Of twenty miles an hour limitation in the
omen country as an example. the country con-
stables in the traps which they devise viii arrest
and convict motor vehicle driver for going tWeh-
" and one-haIf miles an hour. although. in view
Of the width Of the road the absence or ctner
traffic the infreduency OF crossroads and the IKE
it was not all negligent for him to maintain tne
speed in question; whereas the driver VINO snOuio
be going forty-ive miles an hour az tne Sans
place was allowed to escape because he was con-
sco1Is OF negligence. would not stop upon the ss-
nal Of the officers and they were too lazy and in
different to seek out the identity of tins offender
by taking his number and applying TO the regis
tration bureau. The driver who thousht ne VdS
going cautiously would stop upon signal. and then
become Jne NiCtil u Iii7 Ii0-E -
Is that negligence cannot be measured in terms ot
r1iles-an-hour II depends upon the circumstances
ALWAYS The question is a relative one and not an
absolute one It is related to time. place. width OF
the road other traffic, proximity 70 certain oulo-
inCs like school houses. churches and the HAe'
and the question should be answered accorulnsiS'
II Is so answered in the AHds-fIsmn bill
Police Commissioner Bingham. VINO has gwen
much intelligent study the subject-not by near
saw but by personal examination and experience-
has eD1phaticaly stated his approval OF the sPeeo
provision since the bill has become puoie-