The Washington herald., 1910-06-05

Probably the most logical and scientific
motor vehicle law which has yet been
devised and put upon the statute books
OF any State Is the new motor vehicle law
passed by both houses of the New York
! legislature and signed on Tuesday last
by Gov. Hughes The bill has tive or
/ three features which could justihabIy be
! pronounced unnecessarily harsh and dras-
tic in the burdens which they impose
upon motor vehicle users. but, taken as a
whole. the measure is a distinct advance
over previous legislation in this field
For several years, the questions In
volved In motor vehicle legislation have
been the subject of study and test by
/ those whose connections and experience
have best qualified them to formulate
proper rules and regulations in this re-
/ gard. Charles Thaddeus Terry. general
counsel of the National Association of
Automobile Manufacturers and counsel
TO the New York state Automobile Asso-
citation, must be highly gratified to see
many of the substantial principles of
motor vehicle legislation which he has
/ been advocating for upward OF four
years. IN season and out of season, wher-
/ ever and whenever any of such questions
were a subject of discussion, embodied
/ al last in a comprehensive statute in the
/ foremost automobile State in the coun-
try, foremost at least in point of the
/ number OF motor vehicles in actual use.
A Model Law Secured.
The cardinal principles of a scientific
and adequate motor vehicle statute,
which Mr.. Terry has set forth in argu-
ment and which he has defended on nu-
/ merous occasions, are all, with two or
/ three exceptions. embodied in the So
! called "Callan bill The advantages.
/ both in respect OF protection of the high
/ ways generally, and in respect of a due
| observance OF the rights of motor vehi-
/ Gle users, seem obvious from an inspec-
/ ton of the provisions of the statute They
may be briefly set forth as follows.
| First Nllos-rer-hour limitations upon the speed
which mas he maintained by motor vehicle are
practically eliminated and speed IS regulated By
/ the ordinary common law rules defining careful
ness on the one hand aud negligence Oh the other
/ Second By virtue Of this elimination Of miles
peT-hour provisions. and by virtue Of another set
of provisions requiring a double report Of all mag
lstrates and courts where motor vehicle cases may
b. heard. 10 Wit. both 20 the secretary Of state
and 10 the state treasurer, TO whom must be for
Harded all fines and penalties inflicted, speed traps
VIII be abolished.
Money Goes to Highways.
Third. Al registration fees and fines and penal
ties VIII 90 10 the construction. repair and i'm
plovement Of highways.
Fourth. All taxes. both State and local. upon
automobiles used upon the highways. are wiped
cut although the registration fees for the vehicles
are somewhat increased in amount. The injustice
Of imposing registration fees Of such an amount as
be in reality a tax mag be fairly claimed to be
compensated by the elimination Of other taxes
ulon the vehicle. and By the abolition Of speed
traps and consequent fines through the provisions
Of this bill
Fifth The extreme penalties imposed for so-called
Joy riding" viii, it is almost inevitable. put an
end to this abuse which has brought in years past
great undeserTed criticism Of the whole class Of
motor vehicle users.
Sixth. The provisions Of the bill respecting the
examination. licensing. and Identification Of chauf-
feIrs and the punishment q them for ofenses VIII
put an end 10 what has been demonstrated 10 be
% per cent Of all the wrongs caused by motor yehi-
Gle operators. Il has come to be known that it
is the professional. the expert. who takes the
chances and puts in hazard the persons and prop
ery Of others and this class is largely made up
Of ehaueuFs it may be iustihably assured that the
uHfaFORble comment made upon the operation Of
motor vehicles will hereafter be reduced 20 a mini
mum in this State.
FictitiOus Numbers Prevented.
Seventh The use of fictitious Identification num-
bcrs has been ended BY this bill. This is brought
about by the requirement Of annual registration
and by the change in color each year Of the nun
Der plate.
Eighth The liberal provisions TO registration
and registration fees in behalf Of manufacturers and
dealers remain the same under the present New
York law.
Ninth. The horsepower ratings established By the
Association Of Licensed Automobile Manufacturers
have been established by this statute the stand
ard for the secretary Of state 10 follow. and the
associations name and rating refe1ed 10 in
express terms in the bill.
Tenth. All local ordinances Of every nature and
description are prohibited except in the three
cities VI the first class and with regard to speed in
other cities and villages above fifteen miles an
hour, and that violation Of the ordinance shall
only be prima facie evidence and only when ex-
cess speed is maintained for an eighth of a mile.
and when proper signs have been posted wherever
the ordinance is in effect upon the highways.
Eleventh. The provisions with reference TO bail
and an immediate hearing are very liberal and sat
isfaetory.
Twelfth And last bat not by any means least,
cumulative penalties for technical violation of
speed limitations have been abolished from the
law. Instead Of the provisions they have been
in the past, imposing increased penalties for sec
ond, third and subsequent offenses. there will be
under the present law nothing but first ofense.
the extreme penalty for which is fine not ex-
eeeding $780,