Evening star., 1924-03-30
LAW TO O|MPOUND
AUTOS DRAWN UP
National Group Plans Drastic
Move to Curb ReCk-
less Drivers.

Driving ahead with its program to
remove the reckless motorist from
the highway, the National Automobile
Chamber OF Commerce has published
the text of specimen law for the i'm
pounding Of motor vehicles OF offend
ers.
This bin has been drawn by con-
stitutional lawyers with the aim of
getting a measure which will be prac-
teal and will be in accord with Leg
islative precedent.
Taking away property which has
been misused has precedent in some
of the early fishing laws and in Il
large number of Volstead act cases.
Detroit is now impounding vehicles
by taking away the license OF the
car. Another method is TO affiX a po-
lice seal on the ear in the owners
garage; or the vehicle can be i'm
pounded in 4 public garage at the
owners expense.
Sale of Car Provided.
The measure as outlined provides
for public sale OF the car where Of
fender does not meet the fees and CN-
penScS approved by the court for the
seizure and detention Of the vchicle.
The automobile organization has
published this proposed law not with
the thought that il is necessarily the
best for any particular situation. but
TO serve as 4 guide for practical
measure for any community which
may have this form OF legislation i'll
mind
legislation in mind
Extra copies may he obtained from
the National Automobile Chamber of
Commerce, 36G Madison avenue, New
York city, without charge
There are various methods of pun
iShing the reckless mOtOriSt. Fines,
however. are not 4 great worry To
the prosperous. and it is hard TO get Il
jury to impose jail sentences. 1t is
felt that the impoundinG method of
depriVing the owner OF the use Of his
car for given period * more severe
than fine; and that the justice Of the
measure viii appeal TO jurors.
Text of Proposed Bill.
The text OF the bill is as follows:
Upon the conviction Of any person.
firm or corporation or agent or serV-
ant of any person. firm or corpora
tion while performing his principals
or masters work or duty. OF an Of
tense in any court of this state where
a motor vehicle was uulaWfully used
or operated in the commission Of such
offcnse, the court may in addition to
all other punishment and penalties
prescribed by law prohibit the use Of
the motor vehicle during Il period To
be fixed by the court. The officer cX-
tcutinG the sentence of the court
shall seize said motor vehicle and i'm
pound and detain the same in such
manner as the court may prescribe,
and said motor vehicle shall not be
released until all fees and expenses
approved by the court for the seizure
and detention of said motor vehicle
shall have been paid
If such fees and NOT
paid within ten days after the same
have been approved by the court. such
motor vehicle shall be sold at private
or public sale, as MAY be directed by
the court, and the officer making the
sale, after deducting the expenses Of
tmpounding and detaining the prop
erty, the fees for the seizure and the
costs of the sale, shall pay all liens
according TO their priorities which
are established by Intervention or any
other proceeding brought for such
purpose as being bona fidc and as
having been created without the
Tenor having any notice that the mo-
tor vehicle was being used or was to
DC used for the commission Of any
offenSe or in violation of any statute
or ordinance and shall pay the bal
ance of such proceeds to the owner.
All liens against the property sold
under the provisions of this statute
shall be transferred from the prop
erty TO the proceeds of sale of the
property. IT, however, no one shall
be found claiming the motor vehicle
the sale of the same, with u descrip-
ton thereof, shall be advertised in
some newspaper having a circulation
In the state and county once q week
for two weeks and by handbilIs post
ed in three public places, and if no
claimant shall appear within ten
days after the last publication Of the
advertisement, the property shall be
SOLD and the proceeds. after deduct
ing expenses and costs, shall be paid
10 the state trcaSurer