New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-14
Assembly Chamber Filled with
Motorists Who Want No
Change in CaIIan Law.i
AGAINST OPERATORS BOND
Signal Device in Rear OF Cars
Also Strongly Objected TO
Adjustment of Blu
reau Desired.
[Rv releeranh 70 The Tribune. J

Albany. March lS.--Automobile owners
chauffeurs and representatives. OF manu-
facturers and dealers associations. whol
filed the Assembly Chamber this after
noon. Joined In protesting against all OF
IN. bills amending the Callan motor
vehicle law. now before the Legislature.
Most of them contended that the Callan
law could not be improved on. although
no objection was made To the bill re-
oilirirc all vehicles To carry lights at
night The hearing on the bills was heid
before the Joint Senate and Assembly In
ternal Affairs Committees, which after
ward announced that it would reserve de-
cislon to give many automobilists VINO
were unable to be present to-day an op-
portunitv to file briefs.
The strongest attack was made on two
bills introduced by Senator Stlwel, one
recurring a bond of $500 for all operators
and the other requiring that If signal
ling device on the rear of a car were USED
ii should DC one which would show the
intention of the driver when about 10
slow down or turn corner Only repre-
sentatives Of the casualty companies
wanted the former and few chauheufs
heartily condemned required S2'"o oohu
for operators. Frank Gilbert, New YORK
attorney. being the only one TO SPEAK
for il
J. T. McInerney a former Assembly,
man. who represented the Rochester
Automobile Club declared that it was so
drawn that only a casualty company
could furnish the bond. private bonds not
being allowed He called the SulWeH
signal bill an old friend. saying that II
had been introduced in the Legislature FOR
three years.
Mr.. McInerney held that the automobile
bureau i'm the office Of the Secretary of
State be abolished. He said that the state
Automobile Association would be glad 10
distribute number plates, conduct chauf-
feurs' examinations and look after the
other duties now attended TO by that bu-
reau. He added that the association
would be willing to bond itself If neces-
sary. for the faithful performance of the
duty.
Melvin Bender. chairman Of the legls-
lative committee OF the New York state
Automobile Association, attacked the NC
Clelland bill doubling the automobile IL
cense tax. which is favored by the Secre-
tary OF State, while Charles L Terry.
counsel to the New York City Dealers
Association, objected strongly TO the po-
lice powers given 10 the Secretary OF
state by nearly all Of the bills. He
thought that the increased tax on motor
trucks was an imposition.
Frederick r. Coudert. president OF the
National Protective Society. appeared IN
favor Of the Herrick bill, which gives TO
the Secretary Of State greater control in
the licensing and regulating Of automo-
bilists and chauffeurs. He held that there
should be a reduction in the speed rate
in built up portions Of cities. a rate OF
sixteen miles an hour on Fifth avenue
New York. he said had proved prac-
ticable. and urged that that rate be made
the standard throughout the state.
Secretary Of State Mitchell May said
that automobiles. as they secured the
greatest benefit from highway construc-
ton. should willingly contribute to its
cost.