New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-20
TO CURB SPEED FENDS five HURT IN COLLISION
Secretary of State May Would
Make Imprisonment Penalty.
FLAT LEGAL LIMIT
Antagonism Between Autoists
and Public, Due to Unfair
ness, Factor in Problem.

Albany, Oct. ls.-Declaring that the po-
lice had been far too lenient In their
treatment of drunken chaufreurs and
speed maniacs. who were responsible for
the majority of serious highway acci-
dents. and that apparently public indg-
nation had not been sufficiently aroused
against these pests. for whose continued
existence there was absolutely no ex-
cuse, Mitchell May, Secretary OF State,
pointed out to-day one recent case In
which a Young child was run down on
a much-travelled highway and instantly
killed by a speed fiend who dashed along
without stopping.
This act was one little short OF wilful
murder" said Mr.. May, and while, OF
course, not intentional. nevertheless the
perpetrator should have been placed In
the same category OF criminals as the
burglar who enters a home in the dead
of night armed and prepared to Kill or
main II the emergency arises. The law
provides Imprisonment for a murderous
burglar and should provide similar
stringent penalty for the speed mend or
intoxicated driver"
Secretary May said that there had TO
be considered those owners Of automo-
blles who. both daring and resourceful.
simply could not control their aching for
speed and who would never be entirely
satisfied until they had drawn the last
ounce OF power out OF their engine
THE exhilarating effects OF motor speed
ing" continued Mr.. May. seem to cause
loss Of sense OF proportion, which I'M
der different circumstances would or
dlnarily enable persons to weigh their
rights against others. and II is this point
OF view. so insidiously acquired. thar
makes the problem more difficult to solve,
because the average motorist continues
to sympathize with the more or less rep
rehensible offender. whom he should be
first 10 condemn and whom he should
make vigorous efforts 10 punish
Mutual Antasonism.
Secretary May declared that the antag-
onism between the autoists and the pub
lie, due TO malicious prosecution. speed
traps road hogs" and inexcusable care
lessness OF pedestrians, had only agra
waited this problem, now defying success
full control.
THE inevitable result OF this unfair
treatment" added Mr.. May. has made
II easy for them TO organize in this state
10000 strong on the plea that all motor
lists should unite TO withstand oppression
Representing great wealth and having
paid attorneys appearing for them before
the Legislature or In the courts, they
have gradually been acquiring an inhu-
ence out OF proportion to their merit. and
unfortunately have lost sight OF other
considerations
Secretary May cited instances when
some associations had ascertained where
the local authorities were zealously en-
forcing the law and. by issuing bulletins
OF warning. had tried 10 prevent violators
from getting caught. rather than to en-
courage obedience by making offenders
realize that they were doing something
discreditable.
The Secretary said that because or the
difficulties In some Instances Of determin-
ing what constitutes reckless and i'm
prudent driving. and also because the
number of accidents In many places had
increased n a higher ratio than the num-
Der Of machines In operation. he be-
lieved that the enactment OF fiat speed
limit OF twenty-five miles an hour would
prove a great safeguard for both public
and motorist
Mr.. May especially condemned the prac-
tice OF rapid driving close TO the curb
stone when collision with persons step
ping out suddenly into the path OF
swiftly approaching automobile is inev-
table.