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Show I Automobile CIul) of America-Issues Statement Regarding Measure. FIVE YEARS SINCE FIRST ACTION TAKEN BY CLUB Bill Is in Hands of Congress, After Having Been Given Much Consideration. Tho proposed federal automobile bill of Mr. J. Vnn Vcchtcn Olcott, Introduced In tho house of rdprcsantntlvcs .is bill No. 1066. Is nppronchlne consideration by congress nnd merits the attention of ovory nutomoblllst. It. reflects tho labors of tho Automobile Club of America In Us endonvors during nearly five yonrs, to have federal action taken upon, the subject. sub-ject. Its provisions oxtend only a3 far as congress can constitutionally loglslato In such matters, bxit to that extent It is supremo su-premo and exclusive. It applies to automobiles operating In: First Tho District of Columbia or any of tho territories, exclusive of the Insular Insu-lar possessions. Second Tho postal service; that Is. to tho carrying of mall upon any public highway. Third Interstate or foreign commerce; that Is, to the regularly carrying of passengers, pas-sengers, freight or express matter for hire, between tho states or between the United States and other countries. Principal Features. The principal features of tho bill arc as follows: Registration with tho secretary' of commerce com-merce and labor at an expense of two dollars. Numbers conspicuously visible with "U. S." in reef letters upon the plaque. Speqd to bo reasonable and proper under un-der the circumstances and conditions of each case. Provisions with respect to lights and horns, as usual.' In case of accident, name of car owner with other proper Information must bo given to person injured. Penalties: Pines and Jail, the maximum being $100, and six months: Hearing by magistrate to bo immediate or release, on ball allowed ; Ball to be given by undertaking or deposit de-posit of cash equal to maximum line applicable ap-plicable to offense; Right of Action. The right of action to recover for Injury In-jury to person or property not affected by the bill. The effect of federal legislation along tho above linos will be beneficial in every part of tho Union and Its practical operation opera-tion In the District of Columbia will naturally na-turally be communlditcd by senators nnd members of congress to their various constituents. Its operntlon will be observed ob-served dally In the carrying of" mall matter mat-ter on every highway of any Importance in tho country, for the day Is at hand when all mall Will be distributed: and before long, motor cars will probably carry passengers, freight and express matter in Interstate and foreign commerce. com-merce. A copy of the act must be posted In every postofficc In the United States, thus giving It the greatest publicity. No Interference. This bill makes no attempt to Intorfero with the operation of state laws wherever wher-ever they are paramount to the federal constitution. Those Interested In the law are also In sympathy with the movement initiated by committees or conventions on uniform laws of tho union, to secure the adoption of a uniform stnndard law which shall bo enforced within both federal and atato Jurisdictions. The adoption of a federal law, however, how-ever, will afford an opportunity for states which have not legislated upoifthc subject sub-ject to follow It. and also for states which are amending their laws to do the Fame, as it Is easier for uLates to conform con-form to a federal standard, than to a standard which depends on the uncertainties uncertain-ties of a mutual agreement between the states. The above Is all that Can be claimed for the Olcott bill, and no law going further fur-ther wlll.be constitutional. Proper Adjustments. Tho right policy to employ in regard to connecting rods and main engine bearings bear-ings Is that "a stitch In time saves nine." Therefore, at the first suspicion of a knock, or pound, Investigate the trouble and mako tho proper adjust-ments. |