Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-10-12
ASKS
SQUARE DEAL
FOR MOTORIST
New A. A. A. Executive Pre-
sents Traffic Handling
Issue.

D. L. Morgan, recently elected exec
utive chairman Of the American AutomO-
bile association, to succeed the late A. C..
Bachelor, in the September issue of the
American Motorist, presents his views on
the treatment which motorists receive and
pleads their cause for a square deal which
he says is all they ask. He presents
their case along the following lines:
with more tran ten million automobiles
and trucks now using the streets and
highways of the United States, 1t Is NOT
at all surprising to find a wide differ
ence Of opinion as how best to cOnfine
and to regulate such a volume Of traffic
Those who have made a careful study OF
this problem are fully convinced that 1t is
deserving of more earnest consideration
than has yet been given to it. All are
agreed that the mOtorist is not a law
unto himself" and by the same token he
should not be classed as a burglar. a
thief may steal the best car made, or Z
bootlegger violate all the laws on the
statute books and get away with ii In
broad daylight, while in altogether too
many cases motorists are either bawled
out by some traffic cop or pinched for q
mere technical violation, and in many
cases when the one driving had no mea as
Of knowing before hand what the regu-
latiOns required.
MOST MOTORISTS
LAW ABIDING.
Most motorists are law abiding loyal
Americans, anxious TO see all the beau
ties and wonders Of their native land. The
automobile has made this possible fo-
thousands who never could have enjoyed
the privilege by any other means Of
transportation, but with such be
wildering variety Of laws and regula-
lions in effect-differ'ng in almost every
city and State-there should be little won
der so many innocent errors are made.
THE average motorist is substantial
citizen, one who has made progress, or
else he would not have a car to drive
But as a rule he is paying considerably
more in taxes than any other class nt
citizens, and IN all fairness is entitled
to at least decent treatment. which. un
fortuna tely. does not always prevail, as
can be verified IN hundreds Of instances.
"No one will attempt to deny that
there are many who own and drive cars
who are reckless and wilful violators OF
the traffic laws This is also true OF
practically all other ofenses against so
ciety But what many motorists cannot
understand is why they are so often sim
gled out and promptly penalized, while
frequently they observe that more serious
offenders are permitted to continue their
violations right under the eyes Of those
who are ready to pinch" motorists at
every opportunity.
Busy LAYING FOR
AUTO DRIVERS.
''To be specific, I know of an instance
where town Official was so busy laying
for motorists coming from other States
drivers who might possibly not have
headlight lens to comply with his par
tlcular States reQuirements-that he re-
fused 10 go and arrest one who had
committed murder IN his own town. This
same town official has been following
this practice for several years. 10 the an
noyance and at the expense Of motorists
and to the disgust of the majority of
reputa Bile citizens in that community. Re
Gently a party was passing that way on
q very urgent mission when they were
STOPPED by this same officious person
and told they were under arrest because
Of non -complylng headlights. Being anK-
ious TO keep their appointment, they com
promised by making a cash deposit OF
SIS, being assured by both the town Of
fcer and prosecuting attorney any
amount over the cost Of the case would
be refunded and sent to the address
given That was several months ago.
and they are stin waiting and wonder
ing.
Recently, in a city where the thirty
minute parking limit is vigorously en-
forced on motorists. have observed Il
pushcart merchant selling neckties and
who remained stationary on a busy Sat
urday morning for more than one hour
with traffic officer on duty less than
200 feet away.
An the average motorist seeks is a
square deal, with common sense con-
slderation and treatment. The hour is
at hand whom grating constables and
over Jealous officials should be forced to
recognize that those driving automobiles
are not all crooks. Car drivers deserve
al least that which is granted ordinary
criminals namely, reasonable doubt, IN
I'll otherwise convicted. 1t is quite an
expense to maintain a car. without the
f1ded burden OF being singled out as
easy money, for those who have too long
regarded motorists as their particular