Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-11-25
CONVENTION
DEC. z At ALBANY
First One by New York State
Association in Two
Years.

The first annual convention of the New
York State Automobile Association in two
years will be held in Albany on Satur-
day, December 2. That this convention
will be a record-breaker from the stand
point Of attendance and enthusiasm is in
dicated by the elaborate plans which nave
been made by the executive committee
of the association for its success. No
pains lave been spared by the officers
in charge in arranging the details.
In legislative work the present motor
vehicle law of the State Of New York
stands out prominently as the greatest
single benefit to the $4,000 owners of auto
mobiles which 1t SO vitality affects. This
law is a model Of its kind and has been
the pattern for similar laws in other
States throughout the Union. In the
amount of the license fees, in its regula-
ton Of motor vehicle travel. in its deini-
ton of what constitutes sane and careful
driving, in the penalties It imposes and in
the disposition of the revenue derived
therefrom it is deserving Of the hearty
and unanimous support Of every owner
of a car. While not perfect, 1t reflects. a
deal of credit upon those responsible for
it In general and the New York State
Automobile Association in particular, to
whose efforts the passage of this law in
its present form, is to no small degree
due.
During the last session OF the Legls-
lature the amendments that We're made
to this law are also of extreme import IN
view Of the many benefits they confer
upon autOmODll1StS CIlel among ll6S6
was the reduction of the license fee by
half for an original registration after the
first of August Of any year; the delivery
of license plates free of charge to the
address designated by the applicant; the
reduction. of the chauffeur's license fee.
In the highway work in this State dur
ing the two years just passed the prog
ress has been no less pronounced. Hun
dreds Of miles OF macadam roads have
been constructed; through routes connect.
Ing the more important centres across
the State have been progressed; expert.
their object the building of a road capa-
BILE Of w~ithstanding the combined motor
vehicle and horse-drawn traffic, have been
made; bituminous binders, which have
done away with the dust nuisance to a
wonderful degree, have been applied:
highways have been oiled on one side
only at a time, allowing of uninterrupted
traffic; proper detours nave been provided
around stretches of highway under con-
struction, properly signed; the standard
width of roads has been increased; wood
en- bridges and c~ulverts lave been super
seeded with substantial structures of con-
crete; the thousands Of miles of earth
highways have been vastly improved by
attention in the matter of proper drain
age, shaping and browning; the main
tenance and repair work has increased
wonderfully in it's efficiency, due to the
betterment of the patrol system and its
ramifications.
There are many who have predicted that
with the accomplishment OF these many
benefits the need for organized effort on
the part of automobilists in this State
would cease, but these persons reckoned
without a knowledge of the vast amount
of work to be accomplished in the future.
Never before in the history of automo-
billing has there been such an urgent need
for organized effort and earnest coopera-
ton as at the present time. This is the
most encouraging part OF the whole situa-
ton and the foundation upon which the
entire structure rests. 1t is reflected In
the increased activity in club work
Throughout the State; in the wonderful
growth of membership in the State body
during the last year; In the work the
affiliated clubs are doing locally, and in
the enthusiasm which has attended the
whole movement.
The election of officers for 1912 is the
most important business to be transacted.
Then there Will be the appointment Of
committees, the reviewing of the work
for the year just passed, the outlining
1912, a detailed report of the condition
amongst the affiliated clubs throughout
the State, and a most thorough descrip-
ton of organization methods.
Secretary and Acting Treasurer J. A.
Richie is at present on an extended trip
throughout the State, visiting every
affiliated club in order to learn at first
hand the needs of that club and to arouse
enthusiasm for the convention, Every
club In addition to its official delegates
has been asked to bring as large a rep
resentation as possible. and from present
indications the attendance will be the
largest of any similar gathering ever held
in New York State.