New-York tribune., 1911-02-17
.CALLAN LAW UNDER FIRE
Automobiles Spend Three Hours
with Secretary of State.
FREE DISCUSSION ALLOWED
Dealers Want Quicker Distribu-
tion of Tags and Chauffeurs
Oppose License Renewal Fee.
[By Telegraph TO The Tribune

Albany, Feb. 16.-Automobilsts. Including
chauffeurs and automobile dealers, spent
three hours this afternoon with Edward
Lazansky, Secretary of State, DISCUSSING
the administration of the Callan law and
suggested amendments. The gathering was
in the form of n hearing, and while IL
lasted the audience room Of the Secretary
of State was filed 10, It's capacity. lhe
dealers argued that there should be greater
expedition i'm the distribution OF license
tags, while the chauffeurs complained
against the s. charge for renewal OF their
licenses. Among the dozen or more pro1es-
sional chaufeurs present were seVeral VINO
represented large associations OF chauHeurs
in New York city and upstate.
A free discussion was permitted by Sec
retary Iazansky. who presided. He ex-
plained at some length the reasons for the
delay in the distribution of tags ana prom
ised quicker service in the future lie
seemed to favor the idea of establishing a
New York station. provided it could be Sc
cured without much extra expense lie
said he thought that after this tags would
be ready for distribution by December l.
Morris G.. Andrews, who represented the
Automobile Association of the state In
speaking Of the proposed amendments TO
the Callan law. expressed the opinion that
before they are presented the statute
should have a longer trial. He thought
that stations for registration and distribu-
tions in cities of the first class would
serve greatly 10 improve the adminstra-
tion OF the law.
Ex-Assemblyman Callan, OF COLUMBIA
County. was present. and I'm his talk sald
that he was the most vilifled and con-
demned man in the state for projecting
the automobile law. He declared that he
favored an examination for every man VINO
operated a car, whether for hire or for
pleasure. and IT was brought out during
the conference that Governor Hughes him
self favored such provision Mr.. Carlin.
of Amsterdam. vent even further than Mr..
Calan. He said the examination should be
not only for fitness but a physical one.
II have run a car for eleven years said
Millard c. Perkins. of New York. repre-
senting the chauffeurs' union. and never
scratched a hy. have to pass an exam
naton. but a man like Jack Johnson, the
rugilist. can dash around the streets OF
New York without restriction. Is that safe
guarding the pubiic?"
This argument was in line With tile de
mand Of the chsuffeurs that owners. as well
as hired operators, be compelled to take an
examination. The owners. in reply, de-
ciared that such provision would be un-
constitutional and that this suggestion had
been repudiated by the Legislature for eight
years.
Charles Thaddeus Terry. representing the
National Association of Automobile Manu-
facturers, proposed 10 divide the state into
six departments saving that a class of
PEOPLE which was turning Sl,5000O OF reve-
nue. annually into the State Treasury was
entitled To sone consideration.
Automobile associations and clubs from
all over the state were represented at the
conference