The Washington herald., 1920-11-23
Hospitality and Reciprocity.

The State OF Maryland has ruled that automo-
biles belonging to the White House must be
licensed and titled in that State the other
machines. In its legal sense, the ruling
nothing since the White House machines long ago
complied with all provisions of the Maryland law
But. evidence of the peculiar course of rea-
soning followed by those who make and interpret
the laws Of the Oriole State, the most recent pro-
nunciamento is unique example and cannot but
give the impression that in verbage, at least. it
extremely ill-advised, in poor taste, and bor-
dering on a gratuitous insult to the Chief Execu-
tive of the nation.
Also, the incident has served to add fuel to
fires of resentment kindled in bordering States and
the District of Columbia at some of the extremely
narrow, and to express it charitaby, inhospitable
regulations covering the driving of motor vehicles
in Maryland This resentment probably is stronger
in the District than elsewhere, since few motorists
from the Capital who have driven across the State
line have failed to have some unpleasant encounter
with the representatives of Marylapds automobile
enforcement machinery. yE as ~ ~
Primarily this resentment is based upon Mary
lands demand that nonresidents entering the State
shall provide themselves with Maryland licenses,
drivers permits and have their titled in that
Commonwealth. 1t may sound reasonable, if you
live in Maryland, but not to those fortunate as
to reside elsewhere From time to. time sporadic
cHOItS nave UecH Luduc 10 oOtdiu fcCiptcCNy "iIi
Maryland in the matter Of licensing of automobiles
and drivers, but to date without ANY appreciable
success Protests have been made and appeals TO
sense of justice and fairness which seems lacking.
but the inhospitabe regulation remains and repre-
sentatives of the law continue, in than scat
tered instances, to prey upon luekess motorists
from neighboring districts Perhaps the States sys-
tenn of fees for minor officials has something do
with their zeal in enforcing the letter OF the law
but that is merely logical sequence and result OF
the unjust attitude taken by the Commonwealth.
Maryland hospitality has been told in song and
story since the days of Lord Calvert; 1t is OF
the States most treasured heritages. And well ii
may be, for it appears to be something which be-
longed entirely to another generation and time, al
least insofar it applies to the people as body
polite When an individual or State proves deal
to the demands of justice and proves without hos
pitaty fairness, then it necessarily follows that
said individual State should be jolted out of that
SNUG complaeency and given taste of reciprocity
modelled along similar lines.
The District government has If within its power
to place the same onerous restrictions upon Mary
land motorists which that Commonwealth places
upon residents of Washington. Also there is
mighty latent power resting with District trade
bodies which can make itself felt the District
boundries There never was better time than the
present for suggesting to the State OF Maryland
that it awaken to true of its duties and ob
cations and shake the dust from its traditions ant
the rust from its chivalry.