Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-30
c. OF c. APPROVAL
OF ARLAWS SEEN
Unanimous Endorsement of
Responsibility Principles
Is Expected.
"A. p. Photos.

Unanimous Endorsement by the United
States Chamber of Commerce of the
principles Of safety-responsibility laws
for automobile owners, as opposed to
the compulsory idea embodied in the
Massachusetts law, was foreshadowed
IN discussions today before the insur-
ance division of the chamber at con-
ference in the Willard Hotel.
The position Of the Chamber Of Com
merce, as set forth In q resolution that
will be presented for formal action to-
Augspurger Of Buffalo, chairman of the
A. A. A. compulsory automobile liability
insurance committee, and r. Robert
son Jones Of New York, secretary OF
the committee of financial RESPONSE
bility for automobile accidents.
Safety on the streets and highways
Of the Nation stands as a challenge to
the constructive thought of all inter-
ested in the preservation Of life and
property" Mr.. Augspurger declared at
the outset Of his remarks. In explain
ing the difficulties presented by the
Massachusetts, compulsory act, he said:
"A body of experience is now being
built up, which, in my judgment, viii
prove conclusively that the safety-re-
sponsibility law not only fulfills the
major object Of promoting safety, but
also the secondary and important OBJ
lect OF assuring compensation for the
injured"
States Seem to BE Satisfied.
"In the meantime" he said" the ON
cials of all the States that have adopted
the law, in whole or in part, appear to
be satisfied that they launched an i'm
portant and progressive policy"
Sunn0rt fnr fha fvy
resolution will come from other formid-
able quarters of the chamber, particu-
larry from w. A. Cloud, president of
the National Association of Taxicab
Owners, and p. w. A. F1tzsimmons of
Detroit, chairman Of the chambers in
surance committee, which Is sponsor
ing 1t.
They championed the proposed reso-
luton favoring the basic principles of
such laws in discussions at yesterdays
general session and both upheld the po-
sition of the Chamber of Commerce in
reiterating its opposition to compul-
sorry automobile Insurance.
In his defense Of the Safety-respon-
sibility law, Mr.. Augspurger declared
that IL States have enacted such laws
or amended existing statutes since the
A. A. A. frst advocated the principle
ID months ago. The Province of On
tario, he said, has accepted all its
principles, after one Of the most COM
prehensive studies Of the subject ever
undertaken.
Endorsement Cheers Sponsors.
when it is considered that the prob
lem has challenged the best minds in
legislative agencies since the advent of
the automobile" he added, 1.-THE indorse-
ment OF the law already evidenced has
been most cheering to advocates of
Sa1ety-responsibility and has indicated
our belief that the problem was an
preached from the right angle"
Mr.. Augspurger declared between the
Massachusetts, law and the safety.re-
sponsibility law there Is a fundamental
o1fference, and the latter has the merit
OF affecting motorists who have demon
strated they are negligent or careless
drivers. Thus it is not a penalty on
the responsible citizen for the acts of
the irresponsible, as Is the case of the
Massachusetts, law" he pointed out.
argument in favor Of the idea of
compulsory insurance for all motorists
centers in that it takes care of the
consequences OF the first accident" ne
said. THE safety-responsibility law
does the same thing In a more effective
manner, namely, by suspending the
driving license until the unpaid dam
ages for an earlier accident are settled. -
Mr.. Jones also championed this pro-
vision OF the law as equally If not more
so effective than the requirements of
compulsory insurance. A notable fea-
ture. he pointed out. provides that proof
OF financial responsibility may be re-
quired prior to the issuance Of q driv-
ing license.