Imperial Valley press., 1913-12-01
CALIFORNIA AUTO
CLUB TO TEST THE LAW

! CLO ID ~ ETo II II LA w
Protests from Southern California
motorists may move the Automobile
Club of Southern California to definite
action in regard to the motor vehicle
law which will go into effect on Janu.
ary l. =
This would be the most significant
step taken by the powerful organiza.
tion recently, and upon the final de.
cision of it's members will rest the
test of the law which has caused wide
spread discussion and animus. Re-
plies pouring into the club headquart-
ers from members in answer to cir
cular letter sent out recently by Sec
retary S. c. Geary for the purpose of
ascertaining the general attitude OF
the members indicate that strenuous
opposition will of necessity develop.
Whether or not the law will become
effective on the first of the year or
not depends upon the outcome of the
test made by the Automobile Club
of Southern California, since that or
ganization represents the majority Of
the motorists of the state, and it is
toward the club that the majority of
automobile owners are looking for q
champion.
Hundreds of protests and enquiries
at our headquarters have firmly caus-
ed us to take action" said Miss Geary
yesterday, and we realize that to de-
lay longer would be fatal. Motorists
want to know if they should stand for
an excessive license fee as we'll as for
county tax, and we must answer
them, for if the club is not in posi-
tion to give satisfaction, then there
is no other recourse in the state"
eve are waiting entirely upon the
decision of our members, and from the
appearance of the replies we are re-
ceiving there is every indication that
our legal department will be swung
into action"
A similar law which was passed in
Ohio has been found to be unconstitu-
tional and upon this ground the major
ity of automobile owners are protest
ing. 1t is only an attempt, according
to Miss Geary, to provide law which
will act for the greatest good and will
work a hardship upon the fewest.
Since Automobile Club members rep
resent the most responsible motor
contingent Of the state, their decision
will be looked to as representative
one.
That no opposition should be made
to the license tax in the new Motor
Vehicle Act because the money to be
derived from the license will be divert
ed to the maintenance of the highway
system has been answered by Secre-
tary Geary.
GAS the roads are built at the pres
ent time, of concrete, no funds for
maintenance will be needed for per-
haps two or three years, and in that
time l am sure that an adequate and
legal provision will be made"
Northern opposition has been sug-
gested but no definite action taken,
and it will revolve upon the Automo-
bile Club of Southern California to
determine the stand of the majority of
California motorists.
: No steps can be taken until the law
becomes effective with the coming of
the new year, but we will be ready
and waiting for that time as a re-
suit of thus early learning the opinion
of the automobile owners, those who
will have to pay the license which
they claim is excessive continued
Miss eGarn. "Should the majority
call upon US to refrain from taking
action, our policy under those circum-
stances will be determined by the di-
rectors at later date, but from pres
ent appearances some move will be
made by the club.
"Until then we are advising all
members to take no personal action
until the first of the year, when we
may have something new to give out.