The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-05-28
Oil for the Machine

Oil for the Machlne
The people Of the state will receive an OBJ
CT lesson in machine and political govern
emit between now and the first day of July.
On that date. every person who drives an
ltomobile must be equipped with license,
sued from the office Of the secretary Of state,
Failable at all times for the inspection of
Blicemen, sheriffs and other officers.
IF there were an examination of drivers
fore licenses were issued, there might be
me point to the suggestion that this will 90
r to reduce the number Of accidents
But under the law, every one who swears
at he has not committed a felony, is not
ind or crippled, can get one by application.
Just how indefensible is the law IS sug
ssted by the fact that an effort is being made
sell the law to the farmers Of the state by
aclaring that it viii enable the state police
stop all the raids on apple orchards and
elon patches. under some far fetched theory
lat fear of losing an auto license viii be
UGH more effective than fear of going to jail
5r such raids The idea is bunk, of course.
The state charges p cents for its licenses
nd the law provides that the fees shall be
bent in the purchase Of durable containers,
ERIK hire; printing and other expenses and, if
lny money is left. It Is to be spent in enforc-
the law That viii permit, or should per
it, the hiring of large army of inspectors.
The license fee, it is estimated will run far
bove five hundred thousand dollars. Every
ome must contribute a quarter for every
ember of the family who drives the family
Dr.
The estimate that there are at least two
illons of men and women and youths who
five cars at some time in Indiana is probably
w
But the mean part of the law is the fact
at for every quarter contributed to the state
such license there viii be another quarter
Elected by some agency picked out by the
cretary Of state to deliver the license.
4 These agencies are of two sorts. One of them
the automobile club, political in its nature
Id working always with the Office of the
#cretary Of state. And it is matter Of his
Dry that the secretary of state, whoever he IS,
always a candidate for the nomination for
overnor
That quarter will be collected under the
use of a notary fee as each application must
attested
+ The other agencies are the political work
S in counties where the automobile club has
bureaus
& These politicians viii be given a license to
5lleet from their neighbors and friends.
The collections by these agencies, it IS es-
mated, will be another half million of dollars
.hich will go TO the pockets Of those who can
Zen afford to give much time to working
,ftics.
One of these official agencies IS given to
oman who Is high in the official list of the
epublican party The estimate of her share
etween now and July is above $4,000, which is
lirly good wages for one month work
The law has been drafted for the purpose
forcing every one into these official agencies.
Mess licenses are obtained from them, and
by one desires to go to a notary public of his
IN neighborhood it is necessary to carry with
m a land owner to certify to his application.
Those who are caught IN this jam this year
lould remember that three years hence there
ill be another grab of the same kind. That
Jill be just in advance of an election.
4 When YOU pay out this extra quarter for
pur license, perhaps you can get some salts
elton from the fact that YOU are helping to
1 the machine.
An Editorial by Oliver Wendell Holmes
being his dissent as Justice Of the United States