New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-04
Legislators Busy at Al.
bany, with the Usual
Results
BILLS TO LICENSE
ALL CAR OPERATORS
And Measure to Give Sec.
rotary of State Right to
Revoke Permits

Every year there is new lot Of
motor vehicle bills at Albany and 1917
/ thus far has been by no means an ex.
ception. About the only bill that is
missing from the roster j. that hardy
annual requiring the use on every
automobile OF a rear-end signal de.
! vice, which upon examination OF the
specifications ia found 10 conform
almost exclusively with the detail OF a
single patented signal already on the
market. But TO make up for this, Their.
are several old friends in new dress.
Legislation to provide for The licens.
ing Of all operators Of motor vehicles
is not new. And II such measure,
providing for the adequate examina.
ton Of every one who drives a car were
introduced, it ought 70 have the sup
port Of all law abiding motorists. It
would help TO keep the inexperienced
off the roads. or would at least pre-.
vent them driving alone, until they
had mastered enough TO msks then
safe, not only for pedestrians, but for
other road users.
But motorists will hardly have sny
great feeling in favor Of Senator
/ Cromwel's bill which would license
only operators of motor vehicles who
drive Gin a county wholly included IN
a city" Why net say New York City
right straight out?
/ Any one who comes from outside New
York is at liberty to drive his car fO'
ten days in a county wholly INCLUDED
within a city, without taking out i.
cense. The license is granted withsu
examination 10 a car owner or
member of his family. Any one else
who Is not professional chauffeur
must pass an examination for u.
cense 1t will not permit him to
drive as a chauffeur or for hire. The
fee for the first year is 81, with q
cents for renewals.
IL is the owner class which really
should be examined, il motor car
drivers are to be licensed AZ all, SO
that the absence of this provision from
I the bill kills its usefulness.
The bill further proposes to reduce
the age limit for drivers from eighteer
years 70 sixteen, which does not seen
advisable. It provides for having tas
automobile year begin January !. in
stead of February /.
The bill gives the Secretary OF Stat
right to suspend or revoke the license
of any motor car operator or chauffeur
FOR any of the following reasons:
For a third violation Of the speed
laws or ordinance or regulation made
BY competent local authority within
one calendar year.
Upon the conviction of the holder Of
license of a felony under the act
Because of some physical or mental
disability OF the holder arising or dis
covered since the original issuance Of
the license or its renewal, or the dis.
ability Of the holder by reason Of In.
toxication or the use of drugs.
Because of the gross negligence Of
the operator whereby person or prop
Cr;y has been injured.
FOR going away without stopping and
giving his name and address after
causing injury TO any person or prop
erty.
Operating 2 motor vehicle in a man.
ner showing reckless disregard for life
or property of others.
The bill furthermore purposes %
give magistrates in a city Of the first
class powers TO suspend a license to'
any Of the reasons given above. Th
magistrate is TO take the license and
send it to the Secretary Of State, who
has authority 10 restore II or make ne
suspension permanent.
A bill has been introduced By A.
semblymsn Welsh TO provide for tn'
licensing of all operators above elgr'
teen years Of age, on application. Al!
one between fifteen and eighteen years
may get such license after eXanlns'
ton shows him competent 70 operate
car. The bill follows the New Jersr
law in the issuing of thirty-dsy per
mits 10 persons more than elgntse,
ycars Of age who are intending "
qualify as drivers. They must be H'
compauied by registered drivers. OF
chautfcurs when driving with suen
permit. The bill also provides that ne
Secretary of State shall have po'r
10 suspend or revoke licenses.
The bill eliminates the thirty.np
sn-hour clause from the speed linh
and provides that motorists shall drlVs
in a careful and prudent manner 'o'
not TO endanger any person.
This bill also provides against gr
ing headlights. The lights are 70
so arranged that no portion OF y.
beam when measured seventy-nys ~.
or more ahead Of the lamps shall ny
more than AZ feet above the level SUI
face on which the car stands. IhiSn
general, resembles 2 bill specifically
relating 20 lights introduced by AZ
semblyman Showers, but !. measure
the beam 30 feet, not IS feet sE"
from the car.
Assemblyman l.. H. Wells has inno
duced a bill which appears 20 do sss!
with Dealers licenses and appsrenN
would require any dealer 70 get seq
rate license for every car used on ~
road, whether he were merely brinsl9s
il from freight 10 the salesroom
was using IL for demonstration, or
livcring II TO customer or any o'nsn
temporary use This looks Ike sn y,
considered measure. made without ~
thought TO the needs of the sulons
bile dealer or the way he does bushes,
Assemblyman kliugmann also inuy
duccd bill in relation TO dealers
censes, which appears TO provide io
separate number for each car ouI
blanket payment Of S25 for the is'
ance of such licenses.
pEpAIRS OVFPUAuLlNG