Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-02-02
subscribers most Of whom made their
subscriptions under patriotic Impulse
but the system isn't safe one.
AUTO LEGISLATION.

The automobile. its regulation and
protection is receiving much, attention
in this assembly. Auto bills in the
LEGISLATURE are almost as numerous and
cover as many items as the bills the
garage sends to the owners of Ma
! chimes.
A minimum age limit on drivers is
the purpose OF one bill; licensing driv-
ers; requiring township trustees to
mark all dangerous places: compeiiinS
railways to go under or over roadways
and 10 have accomplished the neces-
sary changes by 1917: bill TO narrow
four rod highways to fifty feet; one to
divert more OF the auto tax to the i'm
provement OF roads: 10 turn registra-
ton fees into the county treasures:
making one number plate good for
three years instead of one tho reauir-
Ing registration fee annually; taxing
cars according TO their value rather
than on their horsepower; giving pur-
chasers OF cars in another state sixty
days 10 procure license in Iowa; these
are the most important OF the auto
bills as vet prepared or introduced this
session.
The proposition TO force the eleva-
ton or depression Of railway crossings
within the time specified Will of course
meet determined opposition from the
7 f1r
pense 10 the counties as well it vii!
no; appeal 70 those who foresee i'm
mediate taxation as a result OF hurried
change TIE plan OF under or over
crossings IS the logical one and should
be pursued wherever it is practical.
bu. there are hundreds and even thou
sands Of crossings in the state where
such crossing would involve great eS-
pease not only TO railroads bu; 10 the
counties; there are other places where
10 cross over or under IS next 10 i'm
possible. and there are plenty Of cross
iags where there IS 10 occasion for de-
lay and where important crossings can
be reduced or elevated from grade 81
reasonable expense and at once. Wher-
ever il can be done thus reasonably il
should be done, perhaps BY 1917, but
blanket bill sending all railroads
under and over al every crossing with
in twenty four months is proposition
both absurd and unjust Crossings
should be guarded. All crossings should
be automatically signelled and i'm
portant ard crowded crossings would
be safer and better for signal men but
TO change all crossings within two
twelve-months is :nanifestly require
ment 100 great
Il would be a good plan TO license
drivers. then the cancellation OF his
license would put speed maniac oct
of business It wouldn't be bad plan
10 narrow down the roads II paving fol-
lows the narrowing on principal roads
and gravel or some other partially per-
nanent system Of Improvement is used
on the less freguented highways. More
auto tax money 10 the highways would
mean better highways If expended TO
permanent improvement or # given IN
aid Of hard road work as state aid TO
counties or districts. Registration
fees ought to be paid in the counties
Where the lodging auto owner must be
watched
The automobile will make legislation
for some years to come. One piece Of
legislation is especially indicated, some
so-. Of law that will take the defiance
out Of the au;oist who deliberately
breaks all speed laws and grins as ne
does it