Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-02-12

the resolves that were tapen up be-
fore the committee.
On Time Limit for
Registration Autos
The uncertainty of Maine winters
is the controlling factor in the rush
or delay in making application for
the registration of motor vehicles.
Sen. Roberts of York told the judi
ciary committee, Wednesday. Sen.
Roberts alone appeared to support
the bill granting a 30-day extension
to applicants, so that the time limit
would be Feb. l instead of Jan. /.
Though the idea was not Incorporate
ed in the bill, he also suggested that
an extension might be granted to
those who applied for license to OPP
crate motor vehicles.
After several other matters had
been considered, Frank ID. Marshall
Of Portland, representing the Maine
Automobile Association, said he was
not convinced that the Roberts bill
was the solution: he feared that there
would be a congestion on Feb. re-
sembling that which now occurs on
Jan. !.
At the suggestion Of Chairman
Hinckley, Mr.. Marshall will cooper
ate with Sen. Roberts and the COM
mittee in drafting a new bill.
Westbrook Court Jurisdiction
An act relating to the jurisdiction
Of the Westbrook municipal court
wass explained after the formal hear
ing had been delayed. Rufus X.
Jordan, representative from West
brook, inquired the effect of the
measure on the citizens and Chair
man Hinckley and Sen. Mahcr ex-
planned its provisions. 1t includes
the recorder in the law which pro-
hibits the judge from having juris-
diction in any case in which he Is in
tereSted.
Charities and Corrections
G. b. Cornish presented for the
Board of Charities and Corrections
request for consideration Of the bill
establishing a per diem of S. for
members of this board when on Of
fetal duty. At present, Mr.. Cornish
explained. they receive expenses only
and SO constitute the only unpaid
board in the State. There was no
opposition.
Examining Applicants for Drivers
Licenses
The measure pertaining to eXamin-
alton of applicants for auto drivers
licenses, introduced by Rep. Burleigh
Martin of Augusta, developed an in
teresting discussion in the judiciary
hearing Wednesday afternoon.
Senator Maher of kennebec found
the measure meritorious but defici-
ent in its provisions for practical ap-
plication. lie believed the clause en-
empting all those who now have
licenses as too great an exemption
but agreed with proponents of the
bill! that the general sentiment of
the country seemed to be in favor
of some sort of examination before
issuance of license
Engineers of our railroad trains
are forced to serve long and rigid
apprenticeship before securing their
license pointed out Senator Maher.
why shouldn't automobile drivers,
in the interests of public safety, be
submitted to a like test, if it can be
worked out"
Senator Cram of Cumberland
spoke for the bill, saying that he had
known of cases where persons I'M
able to secure a drivers license in
Maine. How can such persons
read the warning signs at railroad
crossings or other signposts calling
attention to rules of the road. [ be-
Iicve such an examination will aid
greatly in checking reckless driving.
Charm Hinckley voiced the
opinion that in long experience with
cases wherein auto drivers were con-
cerned he had found that the per-
sons responsible for accidents were
drivers of long experience and had
never known of crippled person be-
ing responsible.
Frank ID. Marshall of Portland,
counsel for the Maine Automobile
Association, said that Maine is the
only New England state and possibly
the only eastern state where such an
examination is not required.
But does Maine show in statistics
more accidents by autos than other
States" asked Senator Hinckley.
Mr.. Marshall said he had no figures
available to answer but that in his
opinion Such.a measure as proposed
must greatly check auto accidents"
Seeking information as to how such
al examination of applicants would
be given, Senator Maher was ans
Wered by Rep. Martin who said that
details under supervision of the
Secretary OF State would travel to
various parts of the State at stated
times ard examine large groups at
time. Senator ,Maher contributed
the thought that the State cCnstabu-
larry, which certain legislators are
now trying to establish. might be
used for this scheme.
Objections to this method of eX-
by details were immedi-
ately raised by various committee
members who said it would be inn
practicable for an examination to be |
given in Aroostook county in Janu-
airy or February, the period when
most applications are received.
1t was shown by Mr.. Marshall that
in Massachusetts where such an ex-
is given an operators Ii
cense runs to one year from the date
it is issued instead of from Jan. to
Jan. 1 as in Maine, and that this
system does not swamp inspectors
with applicants on any one season of
the year.
Driving Autos While Intoxicated
Judge Sanford L. Fogg, deputy at
torney general. appeared for his de-
partment in favor of two acts con-
sidcred together. These relate to
driving a motor vehicle while under
the influence of intoxicating liquor,
or reckless driving, and each reduces
the maximum penalty from one year
to II months. The courts have ruled
be said. that the offense now is a
felony and so the lower courts have
no jurisdiction. AS result the grand
juries in many counties are overrun
with these cases.
Sen. Maher asked If the matter