Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-21
GRoTON TEST CASE OVER
 STATE LICENSE ON NAVY TRuC

As result of the arrest by Groton po- lice of David R. O'Rrien, a sailor of the submarine base, for operating an au- tomobile without an operators license, in compliance with the statutes Of the state of Connecticut wherein it states that DO one shall operate an automobile without an operators license, the contro- versy between the officials at the sub marine base and the Groton police is drawing to a continuation. This is expect cd to be reached when the police of Gro- ton borough and the officials of the SUD- marine base received answers from Rob- bins B. Stoekel commissioner of motor vehicles as to whether the navy truck operators at the submarine base will be compelled to obtain operators licenses or may continue to operate the motor ve- hicles without licenses.
 Knowing that the operators of the navy trucks at the submarine base do not possess operators licenses. Cant. George 0. Vincent of the Groton bor- oush police force, referred to the statutes to confirm his convictions relative 10 the question and later made an arrest of Sailor O Brien, who was operating navy truck in the borough. to test out the validity of the law. He wrote 10 the commissioner of motor vehicles. Mir. Stoeckel, stating the case to him and requesting advice in the matter. The executive officer, Lieut.. Com mander F. A. Daubin, also wrote 10 the state commissioner of motor ve- hicles, 1t is understood, relative to the l case and sent copy of the letter 10 the Groton borough police department On top of this a letter was received l by the seiectmen of the town of Gro | ton from an official at the submarine 1 base, wherein considerable dissatisfac- | tion was expressed at the actions Of one of the borough policemen. It also 1 stated that policeman had shown | disrespect for an order issued by the l commander of the submarine ba SC
 relative to the parking of automobiles l in restricted area on the military highway at tue, submarine bese en- l trance and the question, 'eWby can f
 your policeman be poiite?" was asked 1 also the letter st4ted that no trouble
 occurs with the New I.ondo police, but | the Groton police are different The letter contained other criticisms
 When Captain Vincent was interviewed relative to the matter, he said that as
 far as the policement being polite he
 could not see why they should be other | wise. That when one of the policemen
 is out of the borough and off duty he | (Capt. VincenD is not responsible for his | conduct, for he said. They are citi-
 zens like anyone else, The captain sait , he thought the friction between the sut
 marine base and the Grotoa policS orig
 mated when one of the owners of tn,
 buses which operate between New Dondoi
 and the submarine base was arrested fo carrying more passengers than prescrib
 ed as to the capacity of the vehicle The letter from tho submarine bas official to the selectmen also stated tha the men driving the navy trucks ant
 automobiles were selected for that specia , purpose, and in words to the effect tha
 they had to qualify as capable drivers be
 fore being assigned the post of operator. Also that the navy trucks were register
 ed under the navy registration accord
 ing to the rules of the navy. The official
 at the submarine base understand no OF
 orators license is necessary when a gov
 ernment man is driving a governme1 2 truck
 e The case was scheduled to be Brougr
 before the town court last Monday bu was continued until the 25th to awal
 the decision of the commissioner of mote s vehicles
 I Captain Vincent said. thath he had n
 objection to the operations of the nav trucks as done at present. but that tn 4 case now rests in the hands of M1 4 Stoeckel and that he would abide by tt
 latters decision whatever it shall be.