Smyrna times., 1932-12-21
NO EXTENSION
AUTO LICENSES
Only 1900 Tags Have Been Is
sued So Far By State
Auto Department
1888 TAGS NOW ALLOWED

Automobile tags for 1888 are
now allowed, having been in effect
since December Is. Secretary of
State Charles H Grantland an
nounced the report that has been
circulated to the effect that the
vehicle registration date has been
extended to June 1, 1888, is not
true. There has been no extension
he says. Secretary Grantland ex-
pressed alarm over the scanty reg
istration and the paucity of appli-
cations. Not more than 1900 own
ers have applied for Delaware
/ plates, he stated, when normally
approximately $4,000 should be in
possession of their licenses at this
time. From the numerous in
quiries being made of the automo-
bile department" Secretary Grant
/ land stated, there would seem to
be an impression throughout the
/ State that the time for the regis
tration of automobiles in Delaware
for operation during 1888, is to be
extended for a period of four or
six months" The date has not
been changed or extended Secre-
tary Grantland stated, although a
recent suggestion, sponsoring such
an extension, was sent him by
Linnaeus L. Hopes, executive sec
retary of the Delaware Automobile
Association. 1T has been sug-
gested that the licensing date of
automobiles be changed from jan
uary 1 to June L." Mr.. Hopes
wrote, for two reasons: First.
Around the holiday season many
people are hard pressed for money
due to the many channels that are
open at this particular time of the
year. Second Undoubtedly, this
would result in an increase sale of
Y gasoline with the resulting in
crease in gasoline tax collected be
cause Of the fact that during the
months Of January, February,
March and April several hundred
cars are not licensed. People feel
it is not necessary to spend license
money until the Summer season
opens. Whereas, if these cars had
license tags on them, many five
and ten gallons Of gasoline would
be purchased for pleasure and 9th
er weekend trips" The Delaware
| motor laws of the State provides
that every vehicle registration un-
der the Act shall expire December
81, each year." the Secrtary of
Z State explained, "and shall be re-
newed annually upon Application by
the owner and by payment Of the
: fee required by law, such renewal
} to take place the first day Of jan
uary each year. An owner who
has made proper application for
Z renewal of registration of vehicle
| previous to January ], but who has
not received the number plates
: plate or registration card for the
ensuing year, shall be entitled to
operate, or permit the operation of
such vehicle upon displaying the
number plates or plates issued fol
the preceding year, for such time
to be prescribed by the department
as it may find necessary for issu-
, ance of such new plates" Many
persons believe that the phrase
, ology of the law, Secretary Grant
, land stated, may be so construed
! as to mean that the Automobile
, Department can permit an exten.
] sion of time for displaying the 1888
number plates. The Department
! finds itself unable to so interpret
this provision of the law" Mr.
Grantland said, land if any redress
, is to be had in this direction, il
must come from action of the Gen
! eral Assembly which convenes OF
January 3, or three days after tht
, legal registration limit. The De
, partment is obliged to enforce tht
: law as it finds the same. The in
: depreciation of the Automobile De
! partment," continued Mr. Grant
land, "is that proper application
is construed as having applied foi
7 licenses in time to receive them be
y fore January 1. The registration
I division has augmented its staff b.
!. ten members who have been il
n readiness for an expected deluge o
o applications since December 5
: They have little or nothing to do,
d Mr.. Grantland said, "but we ar
$ obliged to maintain the force, fear
t ing a last-minute rush"
j Memphis Lawyer Has Big
II N