New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-05
AUTOMOBILE MEN FIGHT
LICENSES FOR OWNERS
Revocation of Chauffeur's Per.
nit by Secretary of State
Only Change Favored.
TOO MUCH LEGISLATION
Two Hundred Representatives
of Industry Uphold Callan
Law at Albany Con-
ference.
by Telegraph 10 The Tribune

By Telegraph 10 The Tribune
Albany. Feb. 4.-The Secretary Of State,
Mitchell May, this afternoon conducted a
| conference Of two hundred representatives
OF automobile and chaufeurs' associa-
tons and manufacturers, and found that
few Of the proposed amendments to the
motor vehicle law were favored. the
majority of those present expressed the
belief that little improvement could be
made in the Calan law.
Only one amendment mot with general
approval. That would give the Secretary
Of State the right TO revoke a chauffeurs
license at any time. The chauffeur, now
| ever. is TO have court review Inns
amendment, il was believed. would ma
| terially lessen automobile crimes and dis
courage chauffeurs from operating cars
while intoxicated
The proposition to license owners or
cars aroused the greatest opposition
Charles Thaddeus Terry. representing
several automobile and manufacturers
associations. declared that the trouble lay
I'm too much legislation. What rs need
cd. l." he said. "is tho enforcement OF the
present laws. New York City should have
two thousand motorcycle policemen, IN
stead OF fifty. as at present Acciden's
would then decrease.
Secretary May explained that the rea-
son for the proposition to license owners
was the appalling increase In automobile
accidents
RAY y. Smith. of Syracuse. former
Clerk OF the Assembly. and one OF the
drafters ef the Callan law. Insisted that IL
was not beginners. but experts, VINO were
dangerous lie believed that licensing OF
owners would do little good Most OF the
trouble is still with drivers Of horses. he
said. I'm New York traffic conditions
might require owners licenses. but they
are not needed upstate
Licenses Would Reduce Sales.
A commemorative OF dealers associa-
ton said that owners licenses would re-
duce sales and that no more than per
con, Of the accidents would be avoided.
Women and new owners are the safest
drivers. according TO representative OF
automobile liability underwriters or Syr-
acusr. Many others. representing automo-
bile owners. opposed the owners license
proposition. but a delegation OF chaut-
feurs. which appeared AT the conference
favored II.
James T. Blunt. secretary OF the Chauf-
ferus' Union. gave statistics showing that
licensed chauNeurs were responsible for
conparatIvely few accidents. Most OF the
killings. he held. were due To owners and
their sons. and he mentioned several wei
-
drivers
John Bently. representing another chau'-
reurs' association. believed that owners
should be licensed TO run their cars only.
Another chauffeur made the declaration
that on "A wet day in New York he could
ride NJ and down Fifth avenue at the rate
of fifty miles an hour and not be ar
rested lie said this was because the
motorcycles of the policemen could not
make any speed over wet pavements.
Every one has been jumping on the
chauffeurs," said Joseph Flock. OF the
Chaurfeurs Protective Association. but
now they are strong enough to get back.
I know a man right here I'm Albany. run
ming his own car, who is so near-sighted
ne can't see his radiator. Another Is so
deaf he could not hear a strcetcar com
ing"
Flock believed that these physical de-
fects I'm owners We're the cause Of many
accidents He suggested that owners
should have to pass physical eXanina-
ton before they could be allowed 10 run
a car. Secretary May seemed TO think
favorably Of the proposition
Albert Callan. the introducer OF the Cal
Ian law, read circular letter from a
bonding company. stating that the law
was TO be changed and new restrictions
made resulting IN more needless arrests.
Therefore take out bonds" Secretary
May protested that he was not boosting
the automobile bonding business.
Urged Bonds for Drivers.
w y. Gilbert. an engineer. who said
he represented five organizations. de-
clared that all persons who run automo-
biles ought To be forced to take out bonds,
so that they would be responsible I'm case
OF lnjuring anybody. Secretary May did
not believe such "A law would be constitu-
tonal Senator Walters said that all fees
and fines for automobile law violations
should be turned over to the Secretary OF
state instead Of the localities in order 10
prevent encouraging speed traps
Among the amendments favored by the
Secretary Of State is one providing for
the establishment OF a sem-stato con-