The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-02-07
STATE OWNED INSPECTION STA
TIoNs OPPOSED

State owned and State operated
inspection stations, number one
project on the program OF the Com
missioner of Motor Vehicles, faces
an overwhelming defeat by those
voting in the Maryland Motorists,
Legislative Poll, sponsored by the
Automobile Club of Maryland, ac-
cording to announcement by Club
officials.
This trend is indicated by the re-
turn of the first 2400 ballots, which
have been tabulated by the Balti-
more firm of Certified Public Ac-
countants to whom they were adj
dressed. They were mailed by the
Maryland Club in cooperation with
the District of Columbia Motor Club
and the Western Maryland Motor
Club, affiliates of the American Auto
mobile Association, to $4,000 per-
sons throughout the State in an ef-
fort to learn the public's reactions
to important controversial motoring
legislative proposals.
Defeat is also forecast for legis-
lation to authorize toll highways
and bridges, and the plan to issua
license tags from the county seats.
The ballot, with brief explanatory
remarks, included six questions.
Following each question there were
arguments in favor" of and sagain-
st" the proposal.
The vote has been definitely again
st toll highways and bridges, and
many of those voting in favor quail
fed their vote with "only when alb
solutely necessary to build, "only
for those of super-highway types,
etc.
The plan to issue tags from the
county seats is being opposed by
county as we'll as city voters on the
basis of the expense.
The plan for control of roadside
development has been approved in
the early returns by more than q two
to one majority. One voter, although
favoring roadside coming felt it
could be reached without legislation
through purchase of rs foot strips
on each side of the right of way. II
anyone tried to plan disfguring con-
struction along the road the Com
mission would "beautify' that part
of the road with screen of trees
on its rs foot Parkway.
The question of permanent IL
cense tags is fighting a close battle
| n oro ;ne< <bn haIiaF mot
really permanent" and will not
last more than a couple of years.
Although voters like the idse-of per-
manent numbers 1901 have register
ed their opposition to permanent
license tags, while 1854 favored
them.
The Overwhelming vote in favor Of
the introduction of driver training
in the high schools of Maryland was
4 typified by the comment that 1t SEEM
ed perfectly obvious that everyone
should favor driver training In
schools. Although the total is almost
two to one in favor, several of the
negative voters felt that probably
the cost would exceed the value,
and that they should learn to drive
from demonstrators"
/ Too much inconvenience was the
keynote of the opposition to State
owned and State operated inspec-
ton stations. By far the greatest
number of comments were received
on this question and the majority
felt, in addition to the fear of in
convenience, that there would be
too great primary cost, and less eff
cient operation, with the possible
Intervention of politics. One voter
stated that the claw efficiency would
soon equal the present carelessness.
Othrs felt there should be fee, but
that 1t should go to the garages,
that private inspection stations
should be vigorously inspected" and
that the State could have inspectors
at private garages, and industrial
plants to supervise"
Some of these returning ballots
voted definitely against every Ques-
ton with such remarks as against
everything-too much expense" and
my taxes real and personal, are way
too high now"
Through this poll the Automobile
Club hopes to secure cross section
of public opinion in the State OF
Maryland on the Motor Vehicle leg
islation proposed or already intro
duced at the 1871 Legislature. The
Automobile Club believes that the
public should have an opportunity
to express its opinion on these mat
ters as they come up before the
Maryland General Asstmbly, and
that a tabulation Of their vote will
prove helpful to the Legislators in
making their decision.
Tabulation: Question 1853 yes.
1907 NO: 2-7s5 yes, 1874 NO; 3
S2S yes, 1909 NO; 4-14s3 yes. $50
no: 5-1154 yes, 1901 NO: 6-1433
yes, 924 NO.