Evening star., 1913-12-03
AUTOMOBILE BOARD.

The automobile board examined 2,944
persons for permits TO operate motor We
hicles In the District OF Columbia. being
an increase of sol over the number ex-
amined during the preceding year.
Permits were issued to 2,lS3 applicants
to operate vehicles OF the gasoline type,
23s of electric type, 10 of the steam type
SO for motor cycles and Ill to operate
motor vehicles OF the United States and
the District of Columbia used for public
business. Of those examined, 96 appli-
cants were refused licenses. Two per-
mits were revoked on the recommendation
Of the major and superintendent Of po-
Ice.
The revenue received from these per-
mits was S6,ei6 an increase over the pre-
cedinS year OF S224. In addition to these
fees the sum of 1912 was paid by nom
residents under the police regulation re-
quiring non-residents to pay fees equal in
amount 10 those paid in the place Of their
residence.
The automobile board also issued 1896
Identification number tags to motor We
hicles-1s6 for electric passenger We
hicles. O. for electric trucks. 2,730 for
gasoline passenger vehicles, 291 for gas
oiine trucks - for steam trucks. and
6a5 for motor cycles: also 100 for motor
vehicles of the United States and the
District Of Columbia. The revenue re-
ceived from this source amounted to
year of S24.
Non-residents of the District of Colum-
bis also paid for Identification tags the
sum of 81 ,9,GoS.
New Automobile Law.
The Commissioners have prepared and
submitted TO Congress a draft OF bill
10 regulate the licensing. registration and
operation of motor vehicles in the District
.1fC Cali I.A lx;lI t.
10 vest In the Commissioners of the Dis
tr:ct of Columbia general and complete
authority 10 regulate automobile traffic in
ftre District of Columbia. At present this
subject Is regulated by acts Of Congress
and regula tions of the Commissioners. IL
is intended by the Commissioners bill
10 repeal all of the existing laws and
regulations the subject and to
authorize the Commissioners to make all
necessary regulations and impose all nee
essary license fees and to fix penalties
for the violation of such regulations.
Under the present laws and regulations
but one registration license is authorized
to be issued and this is perpetual. The
Commissioners believe there should be an
annual registration and an annual license
fec paid for automobiles. Existing law
further provides for annual wheel tax
OH motor vehicles. and also fixes the speed
OF such vehicles. The Commissioners be-
lieye that instead of an annual wheel tax
there should be the annual registration
fee referred TO above. and that the speed
OF motor vehicles should be left to their
discretion TO be regulated from time to
time as the necessities of the case require
IL would be the intention of the Com
missioners in exercising the authority
they request be conferred upon them to
prepare and adopt usual and reasonable
regulations such as are in force In other
Jurisdictions governing the matter OF
automobile registration and traffic, and
under such general authority they would
have the power 10 enter into reciprocal
relations with other Jurisdictions.
Permits
The permits issued BY the permit clerk
OF the engineer department for various