Evening star., 1928-05-06
COMPULSORY AUTO INSURANCE
BILL PUSHED BY TREADWAY
House Member Demands Ac-
ton on Measure Affecting
Motorists.
Declares Proposal viii Safe
guard interest of Wash
lngton Public.

Determined effort Is being made hy
Representative Treadway Of MaSsachu-
SettS 10 have his bill for compulsory
auto liability insurance in the District
or Columbia passed at this session OF
Congress, Hearings were resumed on
Thursday, when advocates Of the meas
ure made strong showing. With the
washington Chamber Of Commerce re-
cordng its support as result Of hear
fngS conducted by that organization,
He demanded that Congress, being In
exclusive control OF legislation for the
District Of Columbia. hNS special duty
70 enact this safeguard for the people
here. which measure. he declared. lis
opposed only by selfish interests op-
posed to the public veal"
Representative Trea6way emphasized
thst such law is not an experiment
but has proved effective. and that Its
main purpose Is not 10 prevent acci-
dents, but 10 secure financial response
hliitS, Secondarily, he said. il does act
As deterrent in accidents in that a
oriver realizes ne must exercise 60e eau
tion 70 avoid accidents or be deprived OF
his right % drive = car.
Quotes From Editorial,
AS a best expression Of the purpose
of his bill. Mr., Tea6wev quoted from
an editorial III The Star OF January 20,
ss follows;
Compulsory insurance is not q hard
ship Boiled down. il merely says 70
the naotorist. You are about 10 receive
license 70 operate potentially danger
ous vehicle, Before YOU are given this
license, however. the Government ana
the people demand that YOU shall be
Rele to meet damages for your own
careless acts. This security which YOU
furnish is likewise your security Of sooa
drivin. to every other motoriSt, because
If you are habituallv careless you Will
Be sole 70 drive no more You are not
en isolated case. Every one else who
drives a car must likewise furnish proof
Of financial liability, Therefore. under
the law you not only protect yourself.
but protect others as well
Compulsory insurance WAS never
meant 70 be a safety measure, merely a
financial one But By is very nature
ii becomes an effective check on reck-
lesSneSS and careleSSneSS. The lncom-
petsnt and recslcitranf driver. unoer
ths Law, Is no longer hit IL the region
o. his pocketbook. bat Is struck N 8 far
more vulnerable place. his privilege 70
orive ar automobile There is no
escape for the rabitually reckless un~
Ger the compulsory insurance Law.
Lenisncy of the courts, police or su-
thorities viii do him no good He IS
irrevocshly esr-ed from the streets for
the benefit Of humanity"
- States Consider Action.
The Legislatures Of "a states have
had measures Of somewhat similar ma
ture under consideration, Mr. TreadWay
explained II Is one OF the live topics
OF discussion throughout the country
TO-DAY 1t Is not for the District OF
Columbia TO set an example or blaze a
trail" he said. but il is for Congress.
acting as the legislature Of the District
Of Columbia. 10 throw around the gen.
eral public safeguards for its welfare
OF the streets Of the District
The Commonwealth Of MaSsa-
ehusstts mas led the way in legislation
Of this nature Its results have been
highly satisfactory. as evidenced by
the letters I have received from officials
Of the State as well as information
published IN the press
Answering the objections that have