New-York tribune., 1919-06-08
Hugo Plans Crusade
To Debar Drunken
Autoists From n. Y.
Secretary of State Declares
He Will Refuse Licenses to
Habitual Users of Liquor:
Drastic Rules Are Framed

Francis M. Hugo, Secretary of State
who has charge of the state automobile
bureau, declared yesterday he plans 8
campaign to make it impossible for the
habtual drunkard to operate an auto
mobile in New York State.
Secretary Hugo said he has in mind
the creation of a squad of inspectors
to detect intoxicated persons operat-
ing cars. He said he would immed-
lately revoke the licenses of such
drivers.
He also announced he proposed deny
ing licenses to habitual drunkards
Here in New York City, he pointed
out, the Knight Wheelock amendment
to the highway law, which provides
for an examination of all applicants
for automobile licenses, will aid in the
fight. Among the questions all appl-
cants will be required to answer, un-
der oath, is one asking whether the
applicant uses intoxicating liquors and
another inquiring whether the would
be driver has undergone treatment for
the liquor habit within a year.
Plans Vigorous Campaign
ut is my purpose to drive the in
toxicated driver from the streets and
highways of this state" he said.
"A man running amuck with loaded
shotgun and shooting up Fifth Ave
nue. would be no more dangerous than
a drunkard at the steering wheel of
an automobile in that same street
Under the Knight Wheelock law l am
given considerable discretionary pow
ers, and mean to use those powers to
make it impossible for the habtual
drunkard to drive car in this state.
"Here in New York City the Knight
Wheelock law will aid in the fight, but
| intend to carry it on vigorously all
over the state to the best of my ability
There is going to be a terrific tight
ening up along these lines.
"The situation calls for quick action.
The number of cars is increasing, and
this calls for greater care in the issu-
ing of licenses and a more stringent
enforcement of the laws in regard to
rcvocation."
Hugo Holds Conference
Secretary Hugo conferred in the
Hotel Commodore yesterday with rep
resentatives of various automobile as
sociations, traffic court magistrates and
representatives of the Police Depart
ment for the purpose Of determining
the final form of the application blanks
all would-be auto drivers will have to
fill out in this city. Included among
those present were Addison Parker.
Assistant Secretary of State; Colonel
jefferson DeMont Thompson, Elmer
Thompson, secretary of the Auto Club
Of America; Magistrate Cobb of the
Traffic Court, and Arthur Smith, John
+. Callahan and William SINNERS, of
the Society of Professional Automobile
engineers, a chautfeurs' organization.
Under the new law applicants will
have to answer a list of twenty four
questions, it was decided. With a few
changes in phraseology, the bulk of
these questions are as published in
yesterdays Tribune.
1t was decided to supplement the
"Do you use intoxicating liquors, drugs
or other narcotics in any FORM" in
quiry with a question asking whether
the applicant has undergone treatment
for the drug habit or liquor habit
within a year. Another question add
ed at Magistrate Cobbs suggestion is:
"Do you suffer from, or have you
undergone treatment for, any marked
nervous affection
During a discussion of the advis-
ability of denying licenses to all per-
sons who cannot read English, Arthur
Smith, speaking for the chauffeurs, de-
clared he favored such a provision. OBJ
Jectlon was raised to this, and Sec
retary Hugo decided that inability to
read English would not, of itself, be
deemed sufficient grounds for deny
ing applications. On the basis of the
answered questions, Secretary Hugo
will decide whether applicants must
take road test before receiving H.
NSHoSS. Olly CudulcuTS were Obliged
to undergo examinations under the old
law, while under the amended statute
owners who drive their own cars also
must satisfy the authorities that they
can qualify as operators.
Blame for Pedestrians
Elmer Thompson declared that IS per
cent of auto fatalities were due to
carelessness Of pedestrians.
The penalty for false statements in
the affadavits or for substitution in
connection with the examination is
5000 fine or one years Imprisonment
or both
Secretary Hugo stated that the new
law would be actively operating here
within ten days