Evening star., 1928-02-18
A Smokescreen.

iIllteee OF the House apparently con-
sioereo the argument Of opponents to
the Treadway bill for compulsory insur.
ance Tor motorists in the District as
Impressive enough to cause 1t to defer
consideration Of the measure. The chief
argument Of those who. obviously for
selfish reasons. opposed the enactment
OF a financial responsibility law for the
District was that the large numbers of
Virginia and Maryland motorists daily
IN Washington would operate to null
lily the effects of such q Law. and that
the District should wait until MARYLAND
and Virginia were ready to enact a
similar statute before taking action.
This argument is but another smoke
screen thrown out to deprive the Dis
trict OF what has been elsewhere char.
acterized as "the greatest piece of motor
legislation ever put on the statute
books" The State of Massachusetts, has
been working for more than a year un-
der law similar to that which Repre-.
sentative Treadway is seeking for the
District. and no difficulties whatever
have been experienced In enforcing It
because Of alien tourists or commuters
within its borders.
Massachusetts, is bounded By five
States with a total population Of some
fourteen million. The District is bound
ed by two States with a total popula-
ton Of about four million. OF course,
all the motorists of the FIVE States sur
rounding Massachusetts, do not regu-
larly, or even periodically, drive within
its borders. and by the same token
neither do all Of the motorists in Mary
Land and Virginia come into Washing
ton. But 1t is apparent that with the
tremendous annual Summer influx into
Massachusetts, from practically every
State In the Union, and the potential
drivers within its borders from the I'VE
surrounding States, Massachusetts, has
far more Of a problem than Washington
possibly could have with the exodus
from the city In the Summer and the
comparatively small population Of ad-
Joining States
The District for years has been
struggling TO maintain Its independent
motor rights against Maryland and Vir-
ginia. The establishment OF reciprocity
with Maryland marked q successful
termination OF It's controversies with
that State. and the recent tag furry
with Virginia was amicably and salts
factorily settled In a manner that was
gratifying 70 National Capital inde-
pendence. II does not seem logical.
therefore. 10 go back To the time when
the District was at the beck and call Of
Maryland and Virginia and subservient
10 them in matters OF automobile legig-
iation.
II the theory Of financial RESPONSE
bility for every one who operates an
automobile is correct, and the un-
retudiced minds Of the country are
supporters Of this theory. then the Ma
tionaI Capital should benefit by enact
ment Of law requiring motorists 10
dsnonstrate responsibility for their own
acts before they are allowed TO buy
license plates. 1t Is earnestly 10 be
hoped, for this reason, that members Of
Congress who are considering the meas
ure will not be misIed by selnsh argu-
nen,s which are calculated 10 divert
them from consideration Of the demon
strated worth Of legislation that re-
places the careless, reckless and In
| solvent notorist with the careful. eau
tlous and financially responsibls auto
mobile driver.