Evening star., 1922-12-29
FULL RECIPROCITY
FOR AUTO DESIRED
MaryIanders Would Remove
All Restrictions Between
State and D. C.
CONFERENCE is PLANNED
Time Believed Riue to Put an End
to All Discrim-
ination.
CONFERENCE is PLANNED

That a favorable sentiment exists in
Maryland among automobile owners
for reciprocity with the District of Co.
lumbia and that officials of that state
may consider a plan to drop the bars
unconditionally. even if the Curry
amendment to the agricultural appro-
priation bill. virtually forcing reel
procity. does not pass Congress. and
even if the gas tax is not put into
effect in 1929. IS the information given
District motorists today by officials of
the National Motorists Association.
William Gilman. chairman Of the ad-
ViSory board of the motoring organi-
baton, was in conference today with
Raymond Beck. field secretary. at
which time plan was evolved TO call
a meeting of officers of the associa-
ton and state highway and police Of
ficials Of Maryland.
Motorists Favor Move.
The Maryland Automobile Club. prob
ably the most powerful automobile as
sociation in the state, and affiliated
with the National Motorists Associa-
sentiment regarding reciprocity with
the District of Columbia. Fl. NJ. Lucius.
secretary of the club and well known
in automotive circles both in the Dis
trict and Maryland. was reached on
the telephone today after the confer
ence of Mr.. Beck and Mr.. Cilman.
While not making any definite state
ment. Mr.. Lucius IL understood to have
said that he thought the time was
about ripe for Maryland to grant the
long-desired reciprocity, and to have
stated that there were many motor
lists in the state who felt the same way,
The Automobile Club of Maryland.
formerly an American Automobile AS
sociation affiliation. has always been
bitterly opposed to reciprocity with
the District. If the change of senti-
ment ascribed to it is borne Que Dis
trict motorists will have a powerful
ally.
The conference with Maryland Off
cials, out Of which the n. NJ. A. hopes
to get favorable action for the Dis
trict, will be called at the earliest pos
sible moment. Those who will be
asked to attend are E. Austin Baugh-
man. commissioner of motor vehicles
of Maryland: John F. Mackall. state
highway commissioners; Gov. Ritchie.
officials of the n. NJ. A. and of the
Maryland Automobile Club.
MIR. Lucius said that he would at
tend to the Maryland end of the con-
ference. He will also take up the
matter with the automobile club. il
Is understood.
Urge Free Highways.
Should the conference materialize.
officials of the N. NJ. A. will lay before
Maryland officials the situation Of rec
iprocity as it has stood for many
years. and ask that the bars be drop
ped unconditionally. It is understood
that the conference has nothing to do
with the proposed amendment of Rep
resentative Curry's or the gas tax
legislation, proposed to go into effect
on January ]. 1924. but will deal sole
ly with the growing sentiment
throughout the country for free high
ways communication throughout the
states.
According to Mr.. Beck. the news
paper statement attributed to him, to
the effect that the n. NJ. A. would op-
pose the Curry amendment. was a
misinterpretation of his words. He
stated that the n. NJ. A. favored any
movement to bring about reciprocity
between Maryland and the District,
but that the organization had taken
no stand on the Curry proposal. for
the reason that it was something that
could be killed with a single objec-
ton, which would undoubtedly come
from a Maryland representative.