New-York tribune., 1910-02-06
AUTO md THE La Nv.
attention Called to Points Of
OlcOtt Bill.

The Automobile Club of America. By tts
law committee. has just issued the folloE@
ing statement regarding its federal auto
mobile bill, introduced in Congress by j.
Van Techten Olcott:
The proposed federal sutou1obils bill Of
J. Van Vechten Olcott, introduced in thS
House OF Representatives Bill Nc 1o6bs
is approaching consideration by Congress
and merits the attention OF every auto
mobilist. 1t reflects the labors of the Auto
mobile Club of America in its endeavOrs
during nearly five years. TO have 1ederai
action taken upon the subject. During this
time il has been under consideration by
various officials 81 Washington including
particularly the Bureau of Corporations OS
the Department Of Commerce and Labor
Its provisions extend only so far as Con-
greSs can constiLutiOnally legislate in sucr
matters. but to that extent 1t is Suprem7
and exclusive.
IL applies to automobiles operating in
L The District OF Columbia or any OF
the territories, exclusive Of the mSuia1
possessions
. The postal service; thar is TO the car
rying of mail upon any public hishway:
3. Interstate or foreign commerce; THAI
is to the regularly carrying OF paSSengsrs-
freight or express matter for hire. between
states or between the. United states and
other countries. The principal features os
the bill are as follows
Registration with the Secretary OF COM
mArce and Labor at an expense OF y
Numbers consptcuousIy visible with u
S." in red letters upon the plate speed
10 be reasonable and proper under yne cir
cumstances and conditions OF each case
Provisions with respect 10 lights and
horns as usual In case OF accident. name
Of car owner with otnsr propsr4 inF9rI,atieit
Fines and Jail. the maximum being Sle0
and six months. Hearing by mag1strate TO
be immediate or release on bail allowed
BaiI 10 be given BY undertaking or deposit
of cash equal TO maximum fine appiicabls
to offence. The right OF acton 20 recover
for injury 10 person or property not at
fected bv the bill.
The effect OF federal legislation along ths
above line will be beneficial IN every part
OF the Union, and it's practical operation IN
the District OF Columbia will naturally ba
communicated by Senators and members
of Congress 10 their various conSuIuents-
It's operation will be observed daily IN tho
Carving OF mail matter on every highway
or any Importance in the country, for the
day is at hand when all mail viii De thus
Sisyr;buted and before long motor cars viii
orobably carry passengers. freight anu
express matter in Interstate and foreign
a copy OF the act must be posted IN every
nostoffice in the United States, thus giving
Ii the greatest publicity.
This bill makes no attempt TO interfere
win The operation of state laws wherever
they are paramount to the federal Con-
sdtution-
sympathy with the movement initiated by
committees or conventions on uniform laws
OF the Union TO secure the ADOPTION or q
uniform standard law which shall be en-
forced within both federal and state 1Uris-
1rhe adoptIon of federal law however.
sin arford an opportunity for states which
have not legislated upon the subject 10 fol-
low il and also for states which arc
amending their laws TO 90 the same; as lS
standard than 10 a standard which de-
pends on the uncertainties of a mutual
asreenneut between the states
The above is all that can be claimed for
thu Olcott bill. and no law going further
will be constitutional