New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-01
STATE CONTROL OF AUTO
Mr.. CaIIan FavorS New Body to
Enforce Laws.
DISCUSSES HIS OWN WORK
Existing Legislation Not Per-
feet, but Goes Far-Fore-
sees Higher Fees.

The one hundred thousand automobile
owners IN New York State must them
selves drive out the careless drivers and
10y riders" according 10 Albert S. Cal
ian. author Of the state automobile law.
In a lecture last Thursday evening TO
students Of tho automobile school OF the
West Side Z. VI. c. 4. Mr.. Callan said
IN part:
Il declare rayself una!terably in favor
OF state constabuary. the actions or
which can be controlled by the Governor
OF New York, and whose makeup VIII
be similar 10 that OF the army. Punish
ment fo- the crime must be common
surate with its gravity, so we could hon
estly construe that mere violation OF a
speed ordinance was not prison offence
but rather one upon which a fine should
be placed
81 believe that in our present law we
took the strongest grounds possible
against the drunkard and lie who would
strike and leave a helpless victim by the
side OF the road or street This latter
clause unfortunately. has been declared
unconstitutional. although a similar law
has been held legal by the Supreme
Court Of Missouri. But IN New York,
fortunately, we have recourse 20 this
criminal through our penal law.
1.-THE present law IS not perfect. II
does not meet all requirements but |
believe IL has gone a long way toward
remedying conditions, and I sincerely
trust that those who may handle further
legislation along these lines will remem-
Der that far greater good will be accom-
plished II they bear In mind that con-
struction IL better than destruction
There are nearly one hundred thou
sand automobiles in the Empire State
but. on the other hand. there are nearly
eight millions OF people VINO probably
have no interest or hope OF ever attain
ing any connection with this means OF
Ioconotion. So IL behooves those VINO
do 20 be careful, TO be considerable 10
be lust and. above all things to give
tho other fellow, be no the driver or
wagon or mere pedestrian, a fair show.
In that way YOU can help in large de-
gree to smother the fires OF class hatred.
Tho aldermanic committee on automo-
blles IL facing in the right direction IN
its efforts TO frame proper automoohe
ordinances. according 10 Mr.. Callan' Re
ferrlns TO THE work he said:
"As for the police power, l nave
watched with interest the efforts OF the
aldermanic committee TO adopt proper
Ia Yfy atg
q long time many of your magistrates
olIarreled over the correct Interpretation
OF the law. / regretted that exceedingly
II was our clear intention that IN cities
OF the first class such as New York and
BUFFALO. the local authorities should have
full control that they were the best
Judges of what was right and what was
wrong. But the Legislature was well
within It's prerogatives when IL set a
standard OF speed In the other cities ana
villages OF the state. believing that uni
formity WAS 10 be- the salvation or the
tourist, not alone in mind, but IN pocket
book"
Automobiles will be made to pay a
higher tax for road Improvement. In the
opinion OF Mr. Callan who said:
This fail there will be placed before
the people a proposition 90 issue So-
100000 worth OF bonds for the building, or
rather completion, of the present highway
system. sincerely hope 1t VIII pass
For we in the country need these ROADS
as well as the people OF the cities but
their maintenance, II has been estimated,
will cost In the neighborhood OF so'Vco'"o
a year, and ] am seriously impressed
with the belief that tho Legislature, NOT
far in the future. will ask the a",o"'o'
billst to contribute greater license Zee 10 10
maintain these roads az they should Oe