Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-03-09
AUTO OWNERS WHO
HAVE NO LICENSES
WILL Be ARRESTED
SHERIFF PLANS CAMPAIGN
AGAINST OFFENDERS WHO
HAVE NEGLECTED TO PAY FEE
TO sTATE-FARNsWoRTh AN
INVESTIGATOR.

In few more days the unwary rur-
alite, or his city brother, who has
failed to comply with the state regu-
lations as they pertain to automobile
licenses, will be standing humbly be-
fore the judge explaining just why he
neglected to send to Springfield for
those little iron tags that are attach
ed to front and rear ends Of his ma
chine.
Sheriff Davis is now lining up his
forces, preparatory to nabbing every
man not complying with the law in
this respect. and, as in years past,
the school fund 10 certain to be given
healthy innoculation of green
backs. The sheriff is waiting only for
the books from Secretary Emmerson
before Sticking" his sleuths upon the
license violators. Within the next
week or ten days, he says, he will be
ready for the campaign and the un
wary will be caught, bagged, and made
to pay for his neglect of duty.
Ask Associations Aid.
Automobile associations and clubs
about the county have been asked b,
Mr.. Emerson to help him select mel
to act as County investigators in thi'
vicinity. County Superintendent
of Highways George L. Farnsworth Il
! frat to have been designated for thi
work by the Secretary of State. MI
F'arnsworth is now in possession of hi
credentials He does not have {
purchase a star showing his authOrit
to "cop" infractors as badge vii
be given him for that purpose.
Mr.. Farnsworth's duties and thos'
of the investigators will be to see tha
all rules regarding automobile traffic
are enforced
The automobile law provides for The
appointment of an unlimited number
of these special Investigators, who
must serve without pay. Reports o
violations of the rules are lodged
with the police authorities, and it is
expected these authorities will take
steps to have the guilty parties pun
ished.
Mr.. Emmerson says the inve9tisa
tors who were named by Lewis Stey
enson former secretary of state, ant
who are still serving. will be renamed
il they are performing their duties sat
isfactorily.
Besides using their influence to en-
force the laws, the investigators vii
endeavor to promote the safety frs
movement.
In making these appointments, MI
Emmerson says the idea will be T.
select officials of the highway am
automobile clubs thruout the state
as they are presumed to be men VIII
obey the laws themselves and ar
naturally interested in seeing that 9th
ers do the same.
In discussing the plans Secretary o
State Emmerson says
1t is not my intention to make tn
appointments political in any sense
The object of the state is to secdr
a number of representative citizens il
terested in the enforcement of the al
tomoble and highway laws who ar
willing to act officially as the agents q
, the state. 1t Is fact that the aetiv
ty OF these unpaid agents has grea
ly aided the automobile department c
this Office in the past, and | am COZ
yinced even more in this line can b
done in the future,
81 shall appoint presidents of az
tomobile and highway clubs, aut'
a mobilists who travel about the stat
, great deal In their cars, city an
township officials, and, in fact, ar
representative citizen who has II
good Of the state and the automob
lists at heart Such men obey Il
law and all rules of the roads ther
selves, and they naturally are inte
ested in seeing others do the same
g "a badge prepared in accordan
d with the law Is provided for all 50
II cial Investigators 1t is of value
.. them when they make reports to Il
/. police, because it shows they are n
mere busybodies, but are performil
/. "a duty for the state.
o I'm letters to special Investigate
we are enclosing literature urgi
Al greater precautions on the part
n. automobilists at railroad crossings.
Ia Is the intention to impress upon {
Of investigator that he is under {
legations to aid the safety-tirst mo,
n. ment as well as the law enforcement
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