The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-28

or six changing conditions in almost
any journey of 1900 miles. The Amer
lean Automobile Association in con-
nection with the National Automobile
Chamber OF Commerce undertook
Regal procedure in New Jersey, which
questioned the authority of that Com
monwealth to interfere with the inter
state Journey OF registered New York
motortst on route to PENNSYLVANIA.
This was in an effort TO clear up the
interstate restrictions. and 1t was
hoped that a decision by the Supreme
Court would clarity the situation and
permit free ana unrestricted motor
travel between the various States.
Justice Brand"is wrote the opinion,
which was unanimously concurred in,
though Justice Pitney took no part in
this consideration or decision, us he
had already passed upon the case
when a member of the New Jersey
Court Of Appeals In the decision
reference was made TO the absence OF
any Federal statute bearing on the
subject In the absence OF national
legislation covering the subject, state
may riEhtfully prescribe uniform reg
ulations necessary for public satety
and order In respect TO the operation
upon it's highways of all motor We
{
commerce as well as others
It is probable that an effort will be
made 10 pass the so-called Adamson
bill at this session OF Congress. This
bill is a rather short one, and in eff
feet states that any resident OF any
State. territory, or Federal district
who has complied with fhe laws OF
his own State in regard to reGistTa-
ton, taxation, etc, as is evidenced by
license tag attached to his motor We
hicle, may pass in and through any
other State. territory. or Federal dis
trict without restriction as to license,
but with due regard for the laws and
regulations OF the State. territory. or
Federal district that he may be IN.
Sixteen States now grant full reel
procity-that is. exemption for the
period granted by the visiting State
for the entire year or the remaining
calendar fraction thereof This list OF
progressive States now includes Ala
hama, Arkansas Delaware, Idaho.
Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New
York. North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma,
Pennsylvania. South Dakota. Tennes-
see, West Virginia and Wyoming. The
District of Columbia and Maryland
just escaped being added to the full
reciprocity list by their non -recogni-
ton Of each. granting full reciprocity
in all other instances.
Massachusetts presents a somewhat
complex condition. It's law reads full
reciprocity for the remaining portion
Of the calendar year. though IT CLASH
fees some Of the States which grant
like privileges under a special list
which provides that no regular place
OF abode or business is required for
q period exceeding thirty days in any
~ la,- dutt n a
does not grant full reciprocity, then
a haIfrate fee can be had for July.
August, September. Vermont also
grants full reciprocity, but visitors
from reciprocal States can take
ont a three months registration at
one quarter fee.
Rhode Island grants exemption for
but ten days fifteen days exemption
Is granted by New Jersey, North Caro-
lima and Missouri grant exemption of
twenty days, thirty days exemption
ia granted by Connecticut. Florida,
Georgia. Iowa. Kansas Maine, Ne
braska, Nevada. Oregon and Utah
sixty days exemption is granted by
Illinois Indiana Mississippi and New
Mexico. The States of Colorado and
Washington grant ninety days. and
Wyoming grants six months. Nir-
gnia grants exemption for two periods
OF seven days eaCH.
Taxes.
Multiple taxation under various
guises continues in all but seven States,
varying in numerical quantity up to
the extreme of five taxes in Florida.
These seven States are in two groups,
Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, New York,
and Oklahoma comprising those whose
laws positively prevent any other form
OF tax, the registration being in lieu
Of all taxes. The other group is made
up Of Pennsylvania ana Vermont.
which accomplish the result BY mega
ton.
Speeds
While most of the States continue
with the miles per hour regulations in
ratios just enough different to create
confusion for the Interstate traveller,
these ten States. Colorado, Louisiana,
Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New
Mexico, Oklahoma. South Dakota,
Tennessee and Utah. recognize that
these rated restrictions do not guaran-
tee safe use OF the highways by all
users, nor do they meet the positive
traffic needs, but only legalize theo-
retical conditions which often furnish
technical opportunities for the care
less and reckless drivers to escape
merited punishment.
Many Of the States have schedules
OF speed rates qualified in some in
stances by reasonable and proper"
or other synonyms Nine States and
the District of Columbia attempt to
regulate a fiuctuating condition with
hard and fast modern rules that are
spasm odically enforced and lead to
confusion ut all times. both on the
part of the police and the thoroughly
posted resident. There are seven
States-Alabama, Idaho. Iowa, Mis-
souri,, New York, Oregon and Penn
sylvanla-which regulate on the basis
of reason and prudence with maxi
mum speed that is either direct or
presumptive evidence
In New York state a speed OF fifteen
miles per hour in the bullt-up sections
and thirty miles per hour in the open
| country is presumptive evidence Of
reckless driving.
In Connecticut and New Jersey a
speed of twenty-five miles per hour is
permitted in the open country, while
in Massachusetts the limit Is twenty
miles. Pennsylvania permits a speed
up to twenty-four miles an hour, un-
less otherwise sign posted. Incorpo-
rated villages may adopt speed limits
less than twenty-four miles an hour.
hut edo