New-York tribune., 1918-12-15
Motor Mavericks
, the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Last week several New York news
papers called attention to thirty-eight
deaths during the month of November re-
sulting from the operation of automobiles
in greater New York The cause can be safe
ly attributed to the carelessness, vicious
ness or drunkenness of automobile drivers
1 believe it is the duty Of every owner
of an automobile and those who do not
own automobiles to cooperate in using
their influence to have bill passed by the
Legislature compelling every operator of
an automobile, irrespective as to whether
he is owner or chauffeur, to furnish
bond or liability policy to the amount of
not less than $4,000 before a license to
operate an automobile is granted by the
Secretary of State.
Such a bill should compel any person ap-
plying for license t. pass a thorough
examination to his ability to drive a
car; his character should be Investigated
and any person applying for license found
to be irresponsible who has ever been
convicted of violation of the traffic laws
should be refused license. Furthermore,
a clause should be appended to the bill or
separate bill passed which would penalize
any person driving car without license
or while under the influence of liquor, and
such penalty should be not less than two
years in state prison, without the option
Of fine.
As q whole chauffeurs of taxicabs are
of such a type that no insurance company
will insure this hazard, although the rates
are very high. The elimination of the care
less, vicious and drunken element among
owners and chauffeurs would without doubt
prevent at least so per cent of the acct
dents occurring daily. To-day the careful
driver of an automobile is obliged to pay
25 per cent to so per cent more for auto
mobile insurance than he would have to il
this city was not infested with this type OF
irresponsible drivers.
To illustrate have IL mind case: The
man was wage Garner earning $50 a week.
Through the carelessness of taxicab
driver ne was injured very severely, suf-
fering internal injuries and broken leg,
and was taken to hospital. This is
married and has two children, and the
nature of his work called for immediate
replacement of his services by placing
other man in his stead. Owing to the
present high cost of living he was unable
to save to provide against such & contin-
gency, and as consequence he left the
hospital one month before he should have
done so, in order to attempt to provide for
his family, arriving at his home in
weakened condition His physical and
mental condition was aggravated by the
fact that his family was in want and he
was in debt to amount approximating
$500 and was without employment. The
owner of the taxicab insolently told him to
go "to the devil" when he made demand
upon him for hospital expenses and the
amount lost through his non-employment
Upon investigation it was found that the
taxicab driver, who also the owner,
was judgment proof; his taxicab was mort
gagged to it's total value, and there was
absolutely no redress for this man. Taxi
cabs are in nearly every instance mortgaged
and the majority of owners excepting the
large and responsible concerns) are iudg-
ment proof.
There are 10000 cripples in New York
State whose crippled condition was caused
by automobiles, and not more than 20 per
cent of these injured have been able to
collect damages. W. B. RENTON.
Vice president and General Manager Motor
Car Mutual Fire Insurance Company and
Motor Car Mutual Casualty Company.
New York, Dec. II, 1918.