Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-14
M'LEOD BILL FOES
ARE HELD IN ERROR
Witnesses Before fSubCom-
mittee Disagree With Stand
by District Heads.

The Commissioners reasons for dis
approval Of the Mcleod bill, which is
designed to drive from the streets the
deadly combination of reckless In
solvent and "judgment-proof" motor
car operator, were termed ''unsound"
today by q group Of witnesses appear
ing before q subcommittee of the Dis
trict committee in support Of the
measure.
A surprise" witness was Lieut.. Col.
u. s. Grant, Sd, who, after pointing
out that he was responsible for the
police and trafflc control Of large por-
ton Of the city, enthusiastically In
dorsed the bill, which is sponsored by
the American Automobile Association,
following an intensive two-year study
Of the entire problem.
Mcleod Speaks on Bill.
Representative Clarence Mcleod was
the first to speak in support OF his bull
which he said would bring about better
conditions In the District by compelling
the reckless and insolvent notorist to
protect the public against his own negli-
gence. In regard to the Commissioners
objections which we're that motorist
should not have to be responsible for
the safe operation Of all cars that he
owned and that debts arising from unsat-
isfied judgments should not be settled
by law, Mr.. Mcleod characterized them
as ridiculous" He pointed out to the
committee that all corporations employ
ing a number of truck drivers, necessa-
rily carry insurance for their own pro-
lection as do private owners with cars
driven by others than themselves.
George w. Offutt, q director Of the
American Automobile Association, and
a member Of the advisory board Of the
District of Columbia division, sketched
the history of the bill. Calling atten-
ton to the fact that the proposed
measure affects none but the insolvent
and reckless and Judgment proof" mo-
torist, Mr.. Offutt said:
1.-THE American Automobile Association
could not indorse compulsory insurance
in force in Massachusetts, because of the
fact that it penalized at the outset the
great majority of careful law-abiding
drivers and because the insurance rates
became a political matter. The A. A.
A. sought to draft a bill which would
not contain these objections and in
this measure we think we have sue
ceeded. There are four major points;
an operators permit law for every
State In the Union, showing Of flnan-
cial responsibility by any motoriSt con-
victed of a major traffic violation with
suspension of permit until he does show
it, q compulsory satisfaction OF Juog-
mentS, within certain limits, for motor
car accidents with suspension OF permit
until the judgment is satisfied ana
financial security for the future Is
shown: and reciprocal relations De
tween all the States in regard 10
operators coming under the terms OF
the measure. It can readily De seen
that this measure penalAzes only the
reckless and insolvent and under IL
innocent victims OF motor car accloenUS
may be compensated.
NOyes Tells Of Bills Purpose.
Theodore P. Noyes, likewise director
NJ the a A. A. and chairman OF the
local advisory board, told the commit
tee that since its introduction, ntCle
more than a year ago, IL states nave
adonted the principle of the bill, either
completely or IN part. Mr. MOVES
stressed the point that penalties unoeI
the measure would be supplemental 70
any penalties Tor reckless uIlVnlS ny a.
out by trafhc authorities, and that u
was designed solely to protect lnnoceh1
victims of notorist recklessness.
kilograms from Robert A. fear0n,
New York State senator, and ROBBINS
Stocked, commissioner Of motor vehicles
of Connecticut, enthusiastically indorS-
ing the bill, which is in effect In notn
States, and urging its adoption IN the
District, were read to the committee py
the witness, who asserted that MaSsa-
chusetts, the father" OF compulsory
insurance. was even now studying the
measure with a possibility of switching
to it, and that the Royal Canadian
Commission in lengthy report nao
urged its adoption for Ontario.
Col. Grant characterized the bill as
the minimum" that could be enacted
for the protection of the innocent public.
"As first step in the stamping out OF
the evil of the insolvent and reckless
motor car driver Fundamentally In
dorse the BILL" said the director OF
public buildings and public parks.
Another hearing will be held on Fri
day morning, at which opponents will
present their views with rebuttal testi-
rnony on the part of those who testified
today. A title law for automobiles, sim
liar to that in effect In Maryland, viii
be taken up at the samsttime.