The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1911-03-09
Automobile Legislation

Vermonts last legislature II not
progressing along some lines, and
with record for dilatoriness, yet has
nothing to be ashamed of as far as
automobile legislation is concerned.
Vermont has one automobile to every
10 inhabitants and in the ratio OF
autos to population stands eighth
among the states, with the District
of Columbia first. The laws govern
ing the running of these machines
are as many and varied as the differ
ent states can make. Some day we
may hope to see uniform laws through
out the United States. These laws
can only approach the ideal as time
elapses and experience is gained in
wise legislation and mistakes correc-
ted.
In this state we have a wide-awake
automobile club and at its head a
wide-awake president, quick TO see
the errors that have existed in our
previous laws and through their ex-
perience the new laws placed upon
the Statute books are in line with
modern legislation. Il may not be
amiss to note here that by getting to-
gether the organizations OF the diff
ferent states much could be done to-
wards securing uniform legislation
which would simplify difficulties OF
visiting autoists. but no doubt at this
stage of the game each state is pref
ty we'll satisfied with its own legisla-
ton and does not care to yield much
to another state.
One thing the Vermont legislature
did. They fell into line with the re-
ciprocity clause. being the second
state so to do, New York being first.
With this clause embodied In all the
state laws the licenses OF automobiles
would be good in any state for the
time during which they we're good In
their own state. This is a result
greatly to be desired and will no
doubt be brought about as its adyan-
tages are seen. AS the laws are now
Vermont's and New York's automo-
bilists are free TO run In these two
states without taking out additional
licenses while autoists from other
states must take out additional licen-
ses according as their own laws de-
mand Il from autos outside the state.
The reciprocity enactment is con-
tanned in Nos. 1S6l37 OF the Public
Acts OF the General Assembly OF 1910
and should be read by all automibil-
lists. In this connection We may be
pardoned a quotation from letter
from the Chairman OF the Executive
Committee OF Americas Association
Of Automobiles TO President Brown
OF the Automobile club OF Vermont In
which he says Again and again.
whenever have the opportunity to
speak. never hesitate to call atten-
ton TO the fact that green clad Yer
mont has duplicated the common
sense and wideopen reciprocity OF
the New York state law"
Number l4l is worthy OF mention
as defining by statute the common
law regarding the side OF the road We
hlcles should take both when meet
ing another vehicle and when passing.
No. 132 amends the law relating TO
dealers certificates 80 that while the
dealer may stu have blanket lie
ense for machines actually kept In
stock for sale, the present abuse OF
using this license for livery bust
ness may be done away with. Each
machine that Is let for hire now re-
quires n separate license thus bring.
ing in more revenue 10 tho state and
protecting bona fide dealers.
Another amendment which Will DO
appreciated by autolsts obvlates tho
necessity OF showing license numbers
on the two side lamps The new
laws and amendment are we'll worthy
Of perusal, making interesting reading
to all whether Automobiles or not.
Our state may be congratulated on
her automobile proErossivenoss which
r. in accordance with the spirit OF
the New acknowledgements Re.
porter.