Norwich bulletin., 1915-04-16
Especial to The Bulletin-)

Hartford April 16.-The order OF the
day was an act concerning the regu-
lation. numbering, use and speed OF
motor vehicles and the licensing OF OPP
orators OF such vehicles. After offering
two minor amendments which were
accepted, MT. Macdonald, house chair
man of the committee on roads, rivers
and bridges, opened the discussion, ex-
planning that the committee made as
few changes as possible of the law that
has prevailed. Mr.. Brooks of Torring-
ton followed and said that while he was
an automobile crank and would like TO
have changes made that were not
made, yet he favored the acceptance
Of the committee report and the pas
sage Of the bill. The only changes In
the original bill SO that commercia!
vehicles shall include vehicles as used
solely for the transportation OF mer-
chAndise or freight which are propelled
or driven by any power other than
muscular, except such as are run on
tracks. Another change requires an
officer on the lookout for law violating
automobiles to display badge on the
front Of the outside garment in a con-
spicuous place. Another change: That
no manufacturer or dealer shall use
any motor vehicle registered under the
provisions of this section for any other
u1P0SC l33$84 l416 LA4d1 &h0 AoJAShAASAA"
Of such motor vehicle or for its demon
stration to prospective buyer.
Another change requires the rear
register nun. Der shall be so illuminated
SO as to be Iegible at a distance of so
feet. Another: That no motor vehicle
highways of this state between the
hours of 9 a. m. and p. m. unless the
| engine Of such vehicle shall be reason
| ably mufhed, nor shall such vehicle be
operated upon the public highways Of
this state between the hours of a. m.
and 9 p. m. unless the engine of such
vehicle shall be reasonably muff1ed so
that the explosions of such motor
while SO operated shall not constitute
| a. nuisance to the public.
An important proposed change speci-
| fes that the secretary shall determine
| the actual carrying capacity of each
commercial motor vehicle, regardless of
| the horse power thereof, and shall COL
lect fees for registration based on such
capacity as follows: Capacity Of 1000
pounds or less, Sill; one ton, SIS; one
and one-haf tons, $40; two tons, $25;
| two and one-haf tons, $50; three tons,
$S5; three and one-half tons, $45; four
tons, $55; four and one-half tons, $65;
five tons, $75; five and one-half tons,
$3.50; six tons, 500; six and one-half
tons, $112.50; seven tons, $125; seven
| and one-half tons. $50; eight tons.
SITS; nine tons, $500; ten tons, S275;
for each additional ton above ten tons,
$50; and In the determination of the
fees to be collected, if the capacity Of
any commercial motor vehicle is found
to be between any two of the above
ratings, the registration shall be based
on the higher rating.
Another change made provides that
the secretary may register a motor
cycle with sidear attachment as a
motor vehicle which motorcycle may
a cd
the secretary, and such registration
shall cover it's use with or without
such sidecar.
| Another change prohibits nanufac-
turers or dealers to loan numbers to
those who shall rent for hire any motor
vehicle operating under the registra-
tion OF the manufacturer or dealer.
In regard to the hearings by the
secretary on the revocation or suspen-
sion of a license or registration, based
On an alleged violation of the motor
| vehicle laws Of the state, may be held
/ in the county in which such violation
| is alleged to have occurred. The Sec
Rotary, in any case, by agreement OF
| all parties interested, may hold such
hearings in any county of the state.
The secretary may use any court room
| in the state, when the same Is not in
| use by the court, for the purpose of
holding hearings and may require the
| attendance Of q sheriff or deputy sher-
If to preserve order and perform all
proper duties. The fees of the sheriff
1 or deputy sheriff shall be taxed as a
part of the costs in the case.
| Another change provides that upon
approac ching any street railway car
that has stopped to receive or dis
| charge passengers, the person operat-
Ling a motor vehicle shall, before pass
| reasonable speed.
| Still another change In the law spe-
| Cites that no city, town or borough nor
| any board or officer thereof shall make
| any ordinance, bylaw or resolution re-
| specting the speed Of motor vehicles
or respecting the regulation, use, or
equipment Of the same, provided au-
| thority given to any town, city or Dor
ough, or to any board or officer there
| OF, to regulate shows, professions, as
/ and public places, and to regulate the
use Of public parks, and all ordinances
I bylaws or regulations enacted in pur-
| suance OF such authority which apply
to all vehicles shall remain in force
There was a lengthy debate upon an
| amendment offered which would re-
| move from the bill that part which re-
| quires an officer to display his badge
Of ONCE on his outside garment in a
| conspicuous place. In opposition it was
stated that constables would not
| qualify II required to display badges
L
| that was ashamed Of his badge of Office
| should not be appointed. The long de-
bate on this amendment ended when
| Representative Henes moved the previ-
| Gus question. The amendment was re-
| jected.
Another amendment was offered
changing the rates to be charged, an
| increase Of IS, by Clifford C. Housh tot
Washington, on the pleasure vehicles
so as to conform In ratio to the rates
on trucks, and that the change in rates
| be made Jan. i, 1915. instead Of June l.
| 1915. The motor vehicle Is increasing
which carries with It improved roads
| and necessarily the expense to the
! state is increased, and the motorists
| should help materially to pay the ex-
pense, as they got about all they want
| and he was one of them. He believed
in good highways, but he believed in
| paying for them, rather than to fur
Their increase the big Indebtedness OF
the state due to highway work. The
Automobiles only pay per cent. OF
the cost Of the state highways in the
past year. Mr.. Hough said he WI
ashamed to 60 home and say that this
legislature did not provide for meet
ing the expenses of the state. He re-
ferred to the Jitney which threatened
| the trolley companies and the returns
of the state, while the trolley and
steam roads provide their own tracks
| and pay for them, and the automo-