New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-27
AUTO DEALERS IN ARMS
To Protest Against the Bills In.
t70duCed at Albany.
HOT SHOT FROM Mr.. TERRY
Talks of Legislative Tyranny
and Tells of the Dangers
That Lurk.

Members Of the Automobile Dealers As
ISOLATION. in meeting last night. decided
to take up arms against nearly two score
| bills, unfavOrable 10 motorists. which
have been introduced al Albany.
Statements made by Charles Thaddeus
Terry, in reviewing the bills, stirred the
dealers greatly. Mr.. Terry told them
that never before so early in the session
have there been so many bills Of 50 dan.
gerous a kind He added that the bin
particularly favored by the Governors
special committee of inquiry. proposing
such additions Ia the taxes on automo-
biles would make the revenue s2.jO,col
instead Of 100000. as il was last wear.
was only an entering wedge, and that IL
they remained supine and passive next
year the taxes would be brought up to
s5OoJ.0C5. If the legislators found that the
motorists would stand for il.
The dealers will have special train to
run to Albany when there is a hearing
early next month on the bills. and in the
interval they will see that every influence
IL brought TO choke them off
The thing OF which these legislators
stand in dread" said Mr. Terry, "is not
icing returned to office, and that is where
we can hit them. They must realize that
the automobile owners of this state are
50 many and 50 influential that they can
not with impunity attempt these outrages,
for that is what they are.
They think they are helping the farm
er by attacking the automobiles. but they
have to learn that the farmer Is also
motorist. and he will not stand for these
imposts. either"
He spent much Of his time pointing out
some pieces Of legislation which he char
acterized as particularly criminal" He
spoke OF one that provided that chauf-
feurs hereafter must have finger prints
and pictures In cities Of the first class reg
istered with the police
1T will be owners next" said Mr.. Terry.
and The whole thing is part Of that
tendency to regard us as probable Grim
mails because We use the highways. which
is a part of our natural right
He went on 10 tell Of another bill that
provides for a motorist TO file a $4,000
bond when registering his ear SO If he
hurts any one that person may collect out
Of the bond. Nice for the surety COM
pany." was Mr.. Terry's comment
Another measure il one which gives 20
the Secretary Of state power. with ~
without d hearing. in his discretion to re
woke a license This. Mr.. Terry said. he
regarded as the high water wark Of leg
islative tyranny
Still another measure provides that
automobilsts must bring their cars to a
full stop. IN cities Of the first class. AZ
fire houses railroad crossings and in
mont Of schools. at certain hours. Satui-
DAYS and Sundays excepted. The weak
ness in that. he pointed out was that u
took no account of holidays and made no
mention of the Tour months OF summer
vacation when some schools certainly are
not in use.
The worst of all. be- said. was one that
provided that any individual or corpora
ton was primarily liable for damage
done by the car when driven hy tie
owner. his employe. agent Or even
stranger. and II would make no difference
If the car were being driven without the
owners authorization. In other words.
said NJ. Terry. II man steals yoIr
car and. while fleeing with ii, kills pe-
destrian. you are liable