Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-12
Speed Will Be Necessary to
Complete Work for 1882
Registration.
CIVIC GROUPS TO HELP
IN EDUCATING OWNERS
Applications to Be Placed in Police
Precinct Stations - Require
ments of New Law Strict.

The gigantic task of titling $4,000
registered motor vehicles in the District
will be started this week, it was an
nounced yesterday by William A. Van
Duzer, director of the new Department
of Vehicles and Traffic.
Immediately after the action Of the
Commissioners Friday in approving the
procedure and regulations governing the
titling of vehicles, Mr.. Van Duzer had
thousands of applications for title GER
tificates printed and completed other
plans in preparation for the titling
work. The applications are to be placed
in every police precinct station. where
they may be procured. The Board of
Trade, the Washington Chamber of
Commerce, the Merchants and Manu-
facturers' Association, the American
Automobile Association and the Nation
al Motorists Association also are to
assist in the distribution.
Hopes to Avoid Delays.
Mr.. Van Duzer hopes to complete the
fitting of all motor vehicles before jan
uary /. so as to preclude any delay in
the issuance of the 1882 registration
tags. but pointed out that the CO.
operation of District automobile owners
IS absolutely essential. Even then, he
said. his Office would have to title cars
at the rate of approximately LOCO
day in order to have certificates Of title
in the possession of the $4,000 regis
tered owners by January /.
Registration tags for 1882. Mr.. Van
i H.
til a vehicle Is properly titled and the
owner can produce certificate of title.
The penalty for failing to have vehicle
titled is a fine of $1,000. or imprison-
ment for not more than a year, or
both.
The forms for applying for certifi-
cate of title, when properly filled out.
and sworn and subscribed to before
notary, must be sent to Mr.. Van Duzer's
Office, accompanied by the prescribed
fee of ST. Checks or money orders made
payable to the collector of taxes of the
Dis riot should be used by the applicant.
Postage or currency should not be sent.
Details Are Asked.
Information necessary to procure
certificate of title includes description
of the vehicle and the source of owner
ship In the description the applicant
name of the vehicle. model. year of its
manufacture. style of body, whether 1t
is new or used. the kind of motive
power the serial number. the engine
number. whether it has solid or pneu-
matte tires, whether it is wood. disc or
wire wheels. and the manufacturers
rated capacity.
The data relating to the source Of
ownership includes from whom the car
10 nf
chase. the name and address Of the
former owner, the method of purchase
(cash. cash and trade, conditional sale,
etc.. the amour: of the existing liens
and how they are secured. the date of
the lien and in whose favor or to whom
due. In the case of commercial vehicles
the gross weight and the manufacturers
rated capacity must be given.
Extreme care should be taken in
stating the correct serial and engine
numbers said Mr.. Van Duzer "All
motor vehicles or trailers are identified
by these numbers only. Inspect the
vehicle itself for this information be-
fore filling out the blank Do not con-
fuse the engine number with casting
date and part numbers, which are in
raised figures. The engine number is
usually found on the plate or stamped
on the engine. The serial number is
frame.
Care Is Recommended.
eff the motoriSt is in doubt as to the
serial or engine numbers, he should
have the vehicle examined at a repu-
table garage. motor club or by the
dealer selling that make of car
IF a motor vehicle or trailer is pur-
chascG new, the manufacturers certifl-
cate must accompany the application,
duly signed If purchased in State
that has a title law. the certificate OF
title from such State must accompany
the application. If purchased in State
that does not have a title law, a receipt
ed bill of sale, sworn to by the seller,
must accompany the application.
III circumstances are such as to
make it impossible to obtain re-
ceipted bill or bill of sale, then the
applicant shall furnish such informa-
ton under oath as the director In his
discretion may require"
The certificate CT title issued by the
Traffic Department will be mailed to
the applicant at the address given in
the application. This will break up
the practice, Mr.. Van Duzer said, OF
motorists procuring registration tags
by giving fictitious addresses.
The application blanks for the GER
tificate of title will be distributed
about the middle of the week. Mr..
Van Duzer said an announcement would
be made later of the definite time they
may be procured at the police stations
and other places.