Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-11
That Bonding Question Again.

Congress will have the opportunity
of deciding at least two important
measures this month and the follow
ing ones affecting the motorists anc
automobile dealers of the Nationa
Capital. Strangely enough, both
measures are to safeguard the street:
of Washington, but the proponents
of each form of legislation at pres
ent, are not in accord with the other
one.
The first measure-that of compul-
sorry insurance or bonding of auto
mobile owners-will be drafted into
a form of bill to be introduced into
Congress at this present session. he
purpose of this plan IS to prevent
irresponsible drivers from operating
on the streets of the city and pro-
vide indemnity for those injured. II
is the belief of many that life and
property could be protected better
if this class of drivers could be elimi-
mated. 1t has been pointed out that
a driver who is financially solvent
is better man at the steering wheel
than the one who owns no property,
has no bank balance. carries no IN
Surance and is perhaps still paying
a few dollars week on a machine
of ancient vintage.
This plan, while disapproved by
some motorists, is being bitterly OPP
posed by the automobile dealers here.
Action of this nature has been taken
already. and now it is their thought
TO pack the committee room or the
Capitol as soon as any public hear
ing is announced. There they intend
to make their opposition verbally
felt.
Their opposition lies in the belief
that such legislation, if passed, would
greatly hurt their business. They
feel that the disposing of used cars
now is hard enough, and that enact
ment OF such law would make it
more so. Customers. they claim.
who have only enough funds to buy
used cars on small-payment basis,
would be unable TO make the deal if
the proposed bonding became a
necessity Therefore, they say, the
plan would prove very detrimental
The second plan is one of the deal
ers' proposals itself. 1t also is of a
humanitarian purpose, parallel to
some extent with the first measure.
This plan is TO have a campaign
once or twice year. the number of
times to be decided upon later; TO
have all automobiles compelled by
regulations to go to appointed serv-
ice and repair shops for examina-
tions. During the inspection all
brakes will be looked after, as well
as steering gears and headlights.
Proper checks on these important
parts. they believe. will be great
assistance in reducing accidents
which occur frequently from faulty
conditions. The campaign will be
known as the Save Life Cam
paign."
This campaign is said to have
worked out successfully in some
States, including Maryland. Out of
more than 100000 machines exam
ined, only "a per cent were found to
be in good condition The others
were repaired and the streets and
highways became that much more
safe. During the campaign, which
ran three weeks, the death and acct
dent rate was materially lessened.
AT the same time the dealers treas
uries were enrichened.
Following an address of a Balti-
more man last Monday before the
local Automotive Trade Association
it was decided to appoint commit
tee to confer with the Commission
ers upon this plan.
n * X
Returning to the compulsory in
surance discussion it might be we'll
to turn to Massachusetts. The Bay
State was the pioneer in the move
ment to declare by statue that all
persons driving motor vehicles
which might cause death or personal
injury to another should establish his
financial responsibility before he is
licensed TO drive Adopted by the
Massachusetts, Legislature after con-
siderable study and debate. the law
went into effect January I of this
year, and has been the subject OF
close scrutiny by traffic experts
government officials and hosts OF
business interests and automobile
owners.
Connecticut has a modified indem-
nifty law and Texas has another type
of legislation. but the Massachusetts,
act is the only full-hedged compul-
sorry indemnity legislation at the
present time. Some observers are
withholding final conclusions as 70
the success or failure, others have
argued pro and con, but the ultimate
judgment by those duly qualified is
of unusual Importance because OF
the fact that it is one having teeth
to very great degree.
One convincing statement on the
results of this law comes from Yves
ley E. Monk. commissioner of insur.
ance of Massachusetts, who has d.
rect supervision of the act, who de-
clares the law TO be complete sue.
cess, pointing out, however, that the
purpose of the law was TO provide
a sure means of indemnity to in.
jured persons not guilty of con-
tributory negligence and not a cure
all.
Proponents of the measure see es.
pecial convincing force in the state
ment Of Mr.. Monk, because of The
fact that at the time of its enact.
ment he was not convinced of it.
efficacy and that he was known Il
have admitted to those in his conf
dence that he doubted if it would
prove helpful.
In indorsing the law. Mr.. Monl
declared: 1--WE are familiar will
the great and growing number o
deaths and injuries caused TO tn,
people of this country through thu
Ioperation of the motor vehicle. w,
are all equally familiar with tn
many efforts that are being made t,
lnreyent these deaths and injuries