Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-28

The cynic may wag digit and shout
that the licensing of many .chauffeurs
is giving them permits TO exercise
criminal negligence and slauvhter the
public by their death chariots, says the
Hartford Courant- 1t is. perhaps, not
Known generally that the state does not
leave the punishment of these offenders
of the highways entirely to the police
courts. The police do not have the
authority that has been granted to the
secretary of the state, who is in con-
troll of the automobile affairs of Con-
Eecticut.
The automobile department OF the
state secretary's Office is in three di
visions The widest knAvn is In
charge of Arthur Fifoot of this city.
Il is the place where licer-Ses and reg
istrations are issued 1t rs to this de-
partment. which Is located on the third
floor and north side of the capitol, that
rarely for information. Another branch
of the automobile management is in
the Office proper of the secretary of
state Elmer E. Lounsbury of this city.
chief clerk has charge of this His
assistants take testimony at hearings,
prepare the testimony for record, file
newspaper clippings, send for licenses
of reckless drivers write for evidence,
and file all materials OF this order. such
as court records. COMPLAINTS and affi-
oayits- every article available pertinent
tC chauffeurs who are reported to be
reckless drivers. The articles are kept
liz large pouches in lofty, fireproof
vaults
The Most Important.
Most important of the tllr~- branch
es is that managed personally by the
secretary OF the state, that which has
Charge OF the hearing of chauffeurs
should keep their licenses. The office
aims to Investigate all motor vehicle
accidents, such as collisions, ditchings.
injuries to people. accidents to drivers.
technical violations. counterfeited
markers, cars operated without prop
er lights, or where chauffeurs have
been caught without their licenses. In
soxication is one of the greatest causes
of motor vehicle accidents The sec
rotary. when hearing a case. usually
first inquiries to find if on the day of
the accident the operator had been
drinking. While public opinion in
clines to believe that the worst viola
ton OF the automobile law is speed
irg. speed cases alone are rare at the
hearings, though the question of speed
enters into the greater eumbcr of
them.
$4,000 Operators.
There being so many owners and
operators in the state. the Office is I'M
able to keep absolute supervision
of the automobile abuses and abusers.
Connecticut now has over 10, 900 motor
vehicle operators. and 1890 registered
cars. Some of these operators drive
fCr a living Many drive for -leasure.
Many of them are reckless. though the
ma jority are careful For the benefit
of drivers who are not reckless. the
secretary has the power to take away
the licenses of the reckless ones. Who
would describe the typical automobile
driver? Every class of people. both
sexes, every nationality. is represented
among vehicle operators.
There is no examination of appli-
cants as in Massac ilusetts. The appIi-
cant does not need to aDDear at the
Office. This phase appeals strongly to
business men and others who own
their cars and can drive as capabIy as
8 chauffeur and DO drive. and yet
would not want 10 bother TO go to the
capitol for examination. In Massa :