The Washington times., 1910-03-29
SWAMI MOTOR BILL
WILL Be AMENDED
Washington AutoistS Close
ly Interested in Action of
Maryland Legislature.
By HARRY WARD.

Washington motorists who are vitally
affected by the automobile legislation
now pending I'm the Maryland Legisla-
ture will be interested TO learn that the
Swami motor vehicle bill will not go
through the Legislature without a num-
her Of amendments The most impor-
tant changes that have been made in
the bill are in the section providing
that the speed regulations shall be
graded and that ordinances by towns,
cities, villages. or counties on this ques-
ton shall be subordinated. The amend
ment that the municipalities and other
subdivisions Of the State government
shall fix their own regulations was
adopted. This amendment. however.
provides that such regulations shall no,
be effective unless printed prominently
on signbOards at the limits Of the cor
porations in letters at least four inches
high.
other amendments accepted were
those striking out the clause whereby
toll bridge and toll-pike companies are
regulated in tolls for machines TO a
basis not higher than that charged for
two-horse teams, the taking OF col
lections Of all fees from the hands Of
the secretary OF state Of Maryland and
placing this in the hands of the motor
car commissioner, who will create there
from a road Improvement and repair
tax; tina; emitting owners TO four sets
Of interchangeable distinguishing num-
bcrs, and the one providing that persons
under the age Of sixteen and over the
age Of fourteen may operate cars after
taking g special examination. An
amendment TO allow automobiles 20
shCw at the same time two sets Of
license numbers also was adopted. An
amendment was offered by Senator Lee
limiting TO two days the time when cars
of nonresidents could be run N Mary
land without license, but he withdrew
II to allow Senator Linthicum 10 offer
one providing for a special tax to be
sion, and good for use IN Maryland toI
one week without the fee.
At the request Of parties who are at
present Unknown. Representative Hob
son has introduced a bill IN the House
TO construct two national auto high
wavs, the first along or near 90 tie
thirtyNffth parallel OF north latitude,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean;
the second along or near 70 the twenty
third meridian west from Washington,
y. c., north 10 Canada and south 10
Mexico" The right Of way for these
auto highways snail De one ullAe "luet
while the auto highway proper shall
be 1,450 feet wide, within which width,
in addition 10 roads for electric troll
leys, horse-draWn vehicles. shall be two
macadam roads, each twenty feet wide.
with steel plate ways for fast aUtomO-
biles. and two nlaCadam roads Of the
same width with cement ways for autos
going twenty-five miles an hour or less.
Cement paths for motorcycles and blCy-
cles are also provided for In the bill.
For some time past W G. DuranJ,
general manager OF the Buick Motor
COMPANY. and chairman Of the sXecu-
tive committee OF the General Motors
Company. has had in mind a plan
whereby the employees Of the company
would be given an opportunity 20 aC-
quire a financial interest in the works
IN which they are employed through the
purchase of stock in the General Motors
Company. The proposition has been