Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-20


and learns tho motor-vehicle law with
In its borders. he Will inevitably be-
como lawb.eakcr against his will.
DIVERGENT STATE LAWS
CAUSE ANNOYANCE
There are thirty-thrce States which
have separate, distinct. and. in many
respects. very different motor-vchiclc
regulations Their points OF difference
are much more numerous than their
points OF similarity. When you con-
slider tina, fact and the further fact
that even within tho borders OF a. single
state. in not 4 few instances, the sep
arate counties, towns, villages and
cities have passed motor-rehicle ordi-
nanccS peculiar to such localities, and
differing one from another. ami all DIFF
fcrins in some respects from the motor
vehicle law applicable to the State in
general yet get as net result con-
fusion worse confouuded. No purpose
would be served by statement hero
OF the almost innumerablc differences
between tho various motor-vchicle
laws and ordinances in force to-day in
this country.
The end sought may be attained in
the manner which is suggested. or II
may be attained in part. but only in
part by 4 provision in uniform State
motor-Nehicle law, such as is con-
tanned In tho motor-vehclc statute O.
the state OF New York and OF some
other states. TO the ercc, that the
owner OF motor vehicle who shall
have complied with the law OF his
home State in respect of registration.
Identification marks. and the like may
proceed to use tho highways without
The thing to be remembered Is that
in a very large sense the highways
arc the highways OF tho nation aud
not OF any particular locality. Every
citizen owns it az {: natural inalicnable
he does so without violating the rights
OF others. lie has a right TO travel
from state to State and to know sub
stantiauy what the regulations arc
throughout the whole length OF his
route without regard to the different
State lines. He has a right to assume
that the regulations which govern In
his own State are adequate for the pro-
lection OF himself and all other users
Of the highways in every other State
in the Union.
The automobilist claims no special
privilege, bue he claims tho right TO
fair treatment, and TO that end that the
laws which regulate tho use OF his
highways shall be so plain and rea-
sonable that he who runs an automo-
bile may read them, and may obey
them. and still may travel with COM
fort and freedom from intolcrablc c1-
actions and needless burdens.
CONDITIONS MUST RE THE SAME
ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
There can hardly be said to be any
such difference OF condition in the
various States of this country arising
either by differences OF climate, diff |
fercnces Of racial origin or of trade !
cir ~ n nf al 81, ct
istics. as TO justify or In any way &C
count for the present diversity in their |
motorvehicle laws.
There seems to be no reason why /
regulations applicable in ono section I
OF the country should not be equally |
applicable to every other section of tho !
country. why the provisions of law
adequate for one State should not be |
equally adequate for every other State |
II would seem that there is no reason
why license to operate a motor
vehicle good in New York should not
be equally good in San Francisco and
in every portion of the highway be-
tween those cities. and why one know
nS thoroughly the law under which
lac has secured such license should no,
he able to proceed from New York to
San Francisco IN the perfect confidence
that il he oheys that law he will not
DO violating tho law in any Of the
jurisdictions traversed b. the high
way upon which he travels.
The States are jealous of their police
powers. and properly so in respect OF
the incidents 81 the operation of motor
vehicles. Each state has separate
right 10 leg!slate. but h. there any rca-
son why such legislation should not
be the same in the various States
throughout the country?
The only Legitimate purpose for the
requirement that before an automobile I
shall be allowed TO use the highways
1t shall be registered in the manner
state OF residence of its owner is that /
II may be marked in the clcarest pos
sibic way FOR identification. When I,
that purpose has been aubservcd the /
requirements OF registration have been
answered If identification is the end
10 ne achieved, then the Federal reg
istration number or numbers will be
suNicicnt Tor that purpose, and il is
not conceivable that there is or could
be amy other legitimate purpoec in any
requirement. OF registration.
We cannot so into a discussion OF
the authorities. but it is perfectly clear
mat under the commerce clause Of the |
federal Constitution. Congress may
enact statute providing that regis /
tration of an automobile in the State
Of It's owners residence. followed by [.
registration at the national capital, |
sha!l. leave the automobilist free TO |
use the highways OF the country with ,
out further payment to another state |
lie will. indeed, be subject to the police |
resulst lions Of the other States, to wit, |
the regulations respecting speed,
brakes. lamps, signals ard the like, but
he viii not have 20 pay a tax for tho /
privilege of going from one State into
another An act Of Congress OF the
Same general Character has long been
III force in regard TO navigation.