New-York tribune., 1912-03-15
AUTO NEWS OF THE DAY
J. Franklin Murphy Favors New
Jersey Reciprocity Bill.
HAS MODIFIED HIS VIEWS
Former Governor Believes That
Discrimination Against Motor
Cars Is Unjust.

An announcement OF the greatest inler-
oct to automobIlists is contained In the
statement authorized by J. Franklin Muir
nbv former Governor Of New Jersey, 10
the effect that he has withdrawn his op-
position to the Stickel bill now pending In
the Serate, which will grant fifteen days
free use of Jersey roads by residents OF
other states. This bill has already passed
the lower house by decided majority.
x-Governor Murphy's statement. which
appears in yesterdays issue OF THE AUTO
mobile" is In part as follows:
81 am in favor of reciprocity. have
modified my views on the subject and ]
would like to see House Bill %, or some
other measure providing for reasonable
reciprocity, passed by the Legislature ano
inscribed on the statute book. 10 Is repug-
nant TO my ideas as an American citizen
that an automobile pleasure car or truck
should be halted at the border OF any state
by action of law, while other varieties OF
vehicles may pass over without question
even If an appropriation OF several hum
dred thousand dollars is necessary TO TAKE
the place Of the license fees lost by reason
OF reciprocal law, In order TO maintain
the roads of New Jersey at their present
high level OF perfection, / am In favor OF
the passage of such law. ] am an auto
mobile owner and have sold off my horses.
realizing tho wonderful development that
has been brought about In the art, but the
reason for my changed attitude is that
have given the matter much patient
thought as a citizen Of New Jersey and tho
right and equity of reciprocity have come
home to me.
ut has been estimated that four times as
many foreign automobiles tour in New Jer-
sey as Jersey automobiles tour In other
states This is said TO be true even under
the present law, and In case the state was
thrown open TO all automobilisis the pro-
portion would be extended. II one hundred
thousand additional automobiles toured
New Jersey for say three days year. the
amount Of money spent would run into the
millions. IL is a question In my mind
whether there would bo any actual profit
to the state by allowing such an influx OF
tourists but the money spent by the visit
ors would go some distance, at any rate.
toward settling for the increased road ap-
propriations. Hotels, resorts, merchants OF
all sorts. garages and general business
would be stimulated by the increased flow
Of money.
when 7 was Governor the automobile
had not progressed TO its present stage OF
development. High speed then was per sc
recklessness. To-day the cars are built
more sturdily and can sustain a higher
rate OF speed without so much risk II
law could he framed and enacted TO prohibit
reckless driving it would he better than any
maximum speed law. The ideal law has
not been discovered SO far. We are cropping
in the dark with a real civic problem. Tho
legal situation briefly Is this: We may all
have our ideas as to what should be done
in the wav Of statutory regulation. but the
real question is not what We want but what
can VIC get"
Official confirmation OF the rumor that
there would bo considerable delay IN the
submission of the special committees re-
port to the members Of the Automobile Club
Of America came yesterday in the follow
ing statement. which has been sent to mem
bers generally:
"Tho committee Of nine appointed at the
meeting Of the club held on February 10,
1912, has been unable TO complete its report
In time to mall the same 10 members prior
TO March u, 1912. as directed In the resolu-
ton adopted by Che club at that time.
1.-THE large amount OF work involved in
the consideration OF the matters submitted
10 the committee will prevent It from COM
pleting it's report in time 10 present the
same to the meeting TO be held on the 18th
instant. The committee therefore will ask
at said meeting for additional time TO CON-
plete It's report and send same to the MEM
bers.
Notice Is sent you in order that you may
understand why you have not received
copy Of the report, and that the only mat
ter to be presented at said meeting by the
committee will be a request for an adjourn
ment TO later date and additional time
within which to send It's report to the club
members"
A. G. Southworth. manager of the New
York, Brooklyn, Newark and Albany
branches of the Buick Motor Company. has
lust issued strict orders TO all demonstra-
tors, statesmen and employees in these
branches forbidding them TO use muffier
cutouts on the streets while demonstrating
or for any reason whatever In his notice
Mr.. Southworth says:
1T is entirely unnecessary to use muffier
cutouts The public is entitled TO all the
consideration they ask for in this respect.
and I believe IL will be only matter OF
few weeks before law viii be passed for
bidding the use OF the cutout entirely Cars
should be constructed with power enough
TO make good demonstrations and climb
hills without their use"