Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-13
Many Arrested in Maryland
Yesterday for Lack of a
Drivers License.
EACH OWNER REQUIRED
TO PAY A FINE OF 81
State Deputy Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles Not Authorized to Re-
turn Assessments Levied,

Motorists arrested for not having with
them permits to operate motor vehicles
on the highways Of Maryland need not
look for redress In the way OF refund
from the commissioner or deputy COM
missioner of motor vehicles of that state.
1t Is explained that they have no au-
thortty to make refunds OF fines imposed
and collected by Justice Of the peace.
The matter was taken up recently by
8. G. Coale. deputy commissioner Of mo-
tor vehicles of Maryland. who has offices
in the Metzerott building in this city,
with the result that two persons who
had paid such fines were unable to obtain
remittance. Commissioner Harry A.
Roo in a letter to his deputy said:
After justice of the peace RENTS a
f1ne to this Office there Is no authority
whereby I can refund the same. II. how
ever. a justice. before making returns to
this office. RENTS a fine. that Of course,
Is within his jurisdiction. but not mine"
Call at Deputy's Office.
AS the result of crusade made by
Prince Georges county officials yesterday,
the ONCE Of the deputy commissioner in
this city was visited by motorists today
many Of whom were arrested yesterday
and fined 81 each for not being able to
display an operators card as required by
law They said they had been Informed
|'by the justice of the peace before whom
they were taken yesterday that 'if they
would obtain an order from the commits
sioner OF motor vehicles the money col
lected would be refunded"
No orders have been issued from the
| local of11te and none will be issued. as
there Is no authority for either the
commissioner or his assistant to do so
1t puts the matter clearly up to the
tances.
Mr.. Coale was busy today however,
issuing operators cards.
A Star reporter was informed today
that the arrests made recently are not
on the authority of the commissioner or
deputy commissioner of motor vehicles
for the state of Maryland. The arrests
in nearly every instance have been made
by local town constables, and not the
deputies connected with the Office Of the
commissioner of motor vehicles. Commits
sioner Roe has instructed all Of his
deputies to first warn operators OF
machines not provided with permits, and
to make arrests only for second ofrenses
What Law Provides.
Section 1877 Of the Maryland automo-
bile law provides:
hicle upon any highway of this state
until he first shall have obtained an
operators license for the purpose. but
nothing herein contained shall be
taken to prevent the operation of a
motor vehicle by any unlicensed per-
son. other than a person whose applica-
ton has been refused or whose H.
cense had been suspended or revoked
| if accompanied by licensed operator
Many motorists are under the impress
sion that when they secure number plates
for their machines no other permit is
necessary in order to operate a motor
car. Deputy Commissioner Coale makes
1t clear that in addition to securing num-
Der plates the operator of a machine
must also take out a permit. The cost
Of such a permit is 81 for owners. which
is perpetual and IS for chauffeurs which
must be paid annually.