The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-02-24

:" Motor Vehicle Commissioner John
T. Mccarthy In his monthly state
ment today reviewed the activities
Of his department for the month Of
January. He publicly announces
suspension Of all hearings on COM
plants and O general crrtailment
Of other departmental work to
handle the thousands Of applica-
tions for 1913 renewals Of registra~
ton.
Twenty-four persons were killed
In auto accidents in Connecticut
last month. In the same period Of
1912 the number Of fatalities
reached 80.
The survey containing other In
teresting statistics follows:
Registration Renewals
At this time Of the year all the
facilities Of the department are con-
centrated on serving the public in
connection with registration renew
ais, the final validity date for cur
rent registrations being Sunday,
February 20.
Hearings are suspended and other
phases Of the departments work
are curtailed, when not at COM
plete standstill, during the final
two weeks Of the annual renewal
period. Such restrictions In the reg
ular departmental routine have
been made necessary this year be-
cause Of the sharp reduction in per-
sonnet caused by emergency condi-
tons and failure to fill vacancies.
To man the branch offices ade-
quately, and to establish for ten
day periods the special sub-branch
offices In various communities so
as to extend every possible conven-
fence to the motoring public (more
essential and to be appreciated
more this year than ever before be-
cause Of gasoline and tire cordi-
tions), the department has to utilize
every possible employee.
The department expects practical
~ 100 percent renewal Of CONNER
cial vehicle registrations because Of
current business conditions.
About 80 percent Of passenger car
registrations are expected to be re-
newed on the basis Of onntscticut's
being such a highly industrialized
state that heavy percentage OF
privately owner motor vehicles are
used for essential transportation.
Financial ability to pay for re-
newals Is no consideration this year
in view Of general business condi-
tions and overall money available
ity.
The department feels that the
contemplated tightening OF the reg
ulation regarding recapping OF
| tires, motorists now being able to
get tires recapped at will and with
out permit, plus the recent word
from Washington that gasoline
would be available even to "a" card
holders for essential use Of motor
vehicles will cause automobile own
ers to renew registrations with the
confidence that they are going to
enjoy reasonable use OF their vehi-
cles.
Massachusetts, registrations fell
off IL percent while New York reg
| istratlons held up surprisingly well.
| tklc cD1lulGIEAdA CARS AG8AotEAA AB 2,
high percentage Of renewal with
over 10 percent Of the passenger
car registrations being renewed.
Consequently, It Is felt that In
Connecticut the department Is JUS
TITLED In expecting q very satisfac-
tory renewal experience this year.
Traffic Accidents
Preliminary figures show l,b1T
automobile accidents for Connecti-
cut during January, q drop OF 46S
percent from the 2.o44 during jan
liaFy io42.
Twenty-four persons were killed
BY automobiles IN Connecticut dur
| lag January, ten Of them nedestFi-
ans. Last year, 81 persons were
killed BY autom0hilsF during that
month, 20 At them pedestrians,
Gasoline 0alieRage
the number Of gallons Of gasoline
consumed bv motor vehicles during
1919 dropped Oft about 23.e percent
from the previous year, from $751;
a02, iT9 IN 1919 10 800. esa0lo IN 1871,
Neeolnt1 from gasoline taA
dropped neeoFdlneig, from 1laIo1eI-
a1o0S "a 1e.a1i, 1881. tho net nells
afal income. eNe|llHIVe " gasoline
/ laN. dropped enI1 az pefeenl. ho4s
sNHI, ffNlN AN|4f Ma Iil ~
H S