The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-12-10
But Secretary of State Rog- CTS Advocates Ten Day Clause Before Connecticut Automobile Association.
Stricter Enforcement of Law Against Reckless Driver Is Advocated Protest Against Double Taxation.

At meeting Of the directors or the Connecticut Automobile Association. at the Stratfield yesterday afternoon. pre- sided over by President F. T. Staples, the principal business was the discus sion of amendments to the present au- tomobile law. Chairman Charles M Robinson of the legislative committee, presented a draft of certain recommen- Gations which was unanimously adopt cd
 Secretary of State M. H. Rogers was an interested participant in the dis and so also were Almon L.. Judd. man. ager of the Hotel Elton of Waterbury, and H. C. Griswold manager of the Stretfield. Messrs. Judd and Griswoid represented the hotel men of New England whose business is greatly af fected by automobile laws that restrict the free travel of tourists.
 The opinion of the directors and the hotel men was strongly in favor Of a reciprocity clause giving each State the same treatment that they give Con- necticut autoists. Secretary Rogers clnng to the ten day provision. main Iy because of the s30,000 secured in H. cense fees last year from out of State motorists
 It was shown quite conclusive1y that If Connecticut insisted on the ten day clause that other States now extend- ing unlimited privileges would curtail the period of Connecticut mo .or sts. fewer automobiliSts would come to this State and less money would be spent at hotels. garages and generally.
 It was fully agreed that the utmost endeavors should be exerted to en- force the automobile laws and that se- were penalties should be provided for reckless driving. driving while intox-- cated. running away after collision. and kindred offenses. and the motor Secretary of State with two or three special police officers vho should seek violators of the automobile laws under his direction.
 The directors also went on record in favor of a State tax that should local taxation. This is. the law in New York In Connecticut autOmobil- ssts are taxed both by the State and town
 Following are the recommendations which will be presented to the Legis- zature:
 It was moved. seconded and car ried that In view of the fact that the Legislature of this State Is about to convene the board of directors of the Connecticut Automobile Association instructs its executive committee and its attorneys that it favors the follow ing ends and objects. and directs them to aid in the accomplishment of the same:
 FirstlThat the present automobile act be changed in no manner which win serve, to lessen the protection given other users of the public high ways from reckless. incompetent or fn- foxicated drivers Of automobiles. but that this protection should be made more Affective if possible.
 ho a1lt0roOhila act should be simplified and that un- necessary words should be stricken out. so that the average mind may comprehend its entire meaning.
 Third-That penalties should be pro- vided for the several prohibitions in method of enforcement. as was point ed out by the attorneys of this asso- citation before the recent Legislature.
 Fourth-That the laws of this State to the automobilists of other States as they grant access to automobiles from Connecticut.
 Fifth-That inasmuch as the auto mobile owners of this State are now subject to double taxation and most unjust discrimination in their owner ship of property in automobiles. and are paying far higher tax than is paid in any other State in the United States. a statute should be passed pro- viding that the tax at present paid the State by private owners should be in lieu of all other taxes on their auto mobiles. and the funds so raised should be applied entire to the highway fund of the State.
 Sixth-That certain of the ferry rates charged in the State of Connec- ticut were established when it was necessary to maintain assistants to push the automobile on and off the ferry, as a law at that time existing, but since repealed. prohibited running an automobile on a ferry under its owr power: that at the present time there is no more expense in carrying an automobile than in carrying any other vehicle of equal weight. and these rates should be readjusted on an equitable basis.
 Seventh-That a statute -Yshould be passed prohibiting the entire closing of a highway by a contractor where there is no other safe and reasonably convenient route for reaching the same towns or points. Further that a req sonable time limit should be set. and enforced. for the completion of high way by the contra ctor.
 E:gh Th-That a statute should be passed providing that upon an arrest being made for any violation of the automobile act, except for an offense Involving an injury to a human being, driving while intoxicated. or driving
 
 rested shall be allowed to proceed by the officer making the arrest upon eX- hibiting to said officer the licenses he is required to carry by law. and pro- viding that In case any such person shall fail to appear in person in the proper court to answer the charges in- volved when notified. by q registered mail notice sent to the address dis closed in said licenses. of the time and place thereof all his licenses shall be suspended by the Secretary of State, and shall not be renewed or another license granted him until such time as he shall have appeared before said court and the case there. or upon ap- peal has been finally disposed of and the renal.y. if any. paid: and further providing that the same privilege shall be granted to the automohiists of any State whose proper authorities shall have the power and will agree to sus- pend in like manner the licenses of any automobiiist. of that State who e <r ar-,r<- in, ne