The Washington times., 1910-02-15
Senators and Representa-
tives Uphold the Rights
of Owners.
ASK UNIFORMITY
IN ALL MATTERS
National Association Opens Meet
ing Here With Large At
tendance Of Delegates.

UnauaTIhed Indictment OF the State
LEGISLATURES characterized the opening
meeting OF the three days session Of
the first legislative convention Of the
American Automobile Association. which
gathered at the Willard Hotel this
morning.
Senators and Representative were IN
cluded in those who upheld the cause
Of the motorists in their case against
the states, and joined ia the deHuncia-
ton Of their Legislatures for the maze
OF voIuminous laws with which they
have hemmed in the automobilisL
Uniformity Of state legislation Gov
ering automobile matters" was stated
as the paramount issue before the 80
delegates from twenty States by Presi-
dents Speare, Of the American Auto
mobile Association, IN outlining the re-
suits which tie convention hopes 10
accomplish
Take AutOists' Stand
In this he VS. seconded by Senator
Chauncey II Deyew of New York. by
Senator Robert Taylor Of Tennessee,
former governor OF his state; Repre-
sentative James Francis Burke Of
PENNSYLVANIA. and Representative w
W. Cocks OF New LOrk- Charles Thad-
deus Terry. presented the case strictly
from the view Of the automobnist
Declaring the States were violating
the Fundamental features OF the Con
stitution, which gives its purpose in
order 10 form a more perfect union
With the mass OF laws which their
legislatures are cuactinE. Representa-
tatfve Es1rl-e urged Continued egiration
ly the autOmobiIists.
More conservative IN his tone, Seua-
tor Depew Endorsed the proposal OF uni
form State legislation on automobile
matt ers- Going further, he said there
should be no more difficulty OF Federal
registration OF automobiles Inan na-
ionaI control OF railroads he pre-
Cicted that Ehe interstate commerce law
Of the Constitution would become ac-
cspCed In the very near future as ca
pabie Of application to the automobile.
States Blamed.
Charles Thaddeus Terry, chairman OF
the convention committee. and perma-
nent chairman OF the convention, laid
all responsibility for the motorists diff
cuIties with the law upon the selfish
ness OF the STATES IN q speech present
ing the issues Of the session when u
comes to a question Of actual legisiz-
tion," he said, the States hide behind
the much-abused phrase Of State
rights "
President SDeare, in calling the meet
ing TO order, also denounced IN vigorous
terms the trap system by which the
rural constable lies in wait for the
autOist TO break the speed law and
haIts him TO the court Of the justice Of
the peace. there TO suffer indignities and
pay heavy fines
Senator Robert Taylor frightened the
faces Of the delegates with 2 breezy
and optimistic view of the future OF
the automobile He even gave vent
to verse. with the following
I'm glad am alive,
90 When ships are on the ocean
And ships are in the air,
When the land IS full Of autos,
SCOOting every where "
The closing speaker at this mornings
Cocks, Of Pennsylvania, who discussed
now pending before Congress This
measure is in charge Of Representative
Cocks. who urged the delegates 10 can
vass the members Of the House during
their stay IN Washington
Laws Are Severe
IN calling the meeting TO order at II
O'Clock. President Speare declared it was
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