The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1946-10-10
Working For
Better Auto
License Law

6bSCItSC INV
From time to time attempts have
been made to secure a more ade-
ouate drivers license law for Mon
fana. So far these attempts have
always met with failure. Appar-
emily the only requirements now
demanded of an applicant for an
auto drivers license is the aDlllty
to produce rs cents.
Because of the increasing number
of accidents on Montana highways
-as well as throughout the nation.
the Montana Junior Chamber OF
Commerce. the Jaycees, is starting
a movement for the introduction OF
bill into the 1947 session of the
Montana legislature that would
satisfy the want, so long felt, for
better drivers license law. The
JaVcees have been spurred on IN
this work by the fact that there were
78 fatal accidents on Montana high
WAYS during the first six months
of this wear. If that record con-
tinues during the year, the 1916
record of highway fatalities VIII be
one of the worst.
Because
to be made for a better law, 1t IS
believed that Western News read
ers will be interested IN an editor
ial on this subject that was publish
ed in a recent issue of the Montana
LJaycee Trail-Blazer. 1t was titled
TPolitics VS.. Safety Legislation,
and was written by Bill Preston
president of the Jaycees. The edl-
torial follows:
At the Governors Safety con-
ference at Helena I had occasion to
present the views of the JayCees.
1t was evident at the conference
that much of what was said was
with an eye on the ballot box. We
feel that this important problem
should be non-partisan and non
political. A dead youngster in car
wreck knows not whether it IS a
Democratic or a Republican car that
hit him. It is just as dead, regard
less of political faith of the driver.
Among the proposals advanced
was that for an examination of both
cars and drivers before a license
could be obtained to operate an
automobile or other motor vehicle
on the highways. However, it was
carefully explained by those pre-
senting the proposal that only those
who do not now hold a drivers
license would be required TO take
such an examination.
What kind of nonsense is that?
It is not the drivers who will apply
for permission to drive cars next
year that have killed rs persons
this year. 1t is those who are driv-
ing now To suggest that only the
new applicants for licenses, or those
who are involved in some serious
accident (kill someone first then
make him pass a tes), or who are
obviously unfit" be required to
stand examination IS, to my way
of thinking the sheerest kind of
political pussyfooting
What kind of test has even been
imposed for obtaining a license in
the past? I had only to pass the
test of being able to scare up rs
cents. Do l know the rules of the
road? Have l the necessary physi-
cal requirements to operate vehicle
capable of dealing death at 20 miles
an hour? Do. l know the traffic
laws? No one knows whether or
not I do. and they have no way of
finding out until have shown my
ignorance by having an accident
perhaps by killing or naming some
one
There las been much of a ten
dency in the past years to pass
legislation which viii affect only
the other fellow That may be
popular politically, but it can hard
2 lv be considered craftsmanship.
What we need in cur laW-making
bodies Is men who are capable OF
carefully considering question: and
then with the courage to pass the
kind Of legislation which will best
protect the publics If the solution
is right. it can be sold to the pub
lie by actual performance. If not
it will sooner or later be discarded
for something better
Let's attack this problem like
free men in a democratic society
who have the courage to do what
must be done to curb a menace in
our midst AS JayCees let us raise
our voices in demand that this
kind of action be taken It may
affect you and me, but it will gain
greater safety for all the people
including you and me. Let's demand
an end to political pussyfoOting in
matters of public safety