CONFERENCE OF GOVERNORS. 105 



to be clearly established that the deterioration of the macadam 

 road under automobile traffic is almost entirely due to the excessive 

 speed at which many of these vehicles are operated. If this is true, 

 the limitation of speed to a reasonable rate is necessary, in the 

 interest of the maintenance of our roads as well as of the general 

 public. Experiments have been made by the United States Office 

 of Public Beads to ascertain the relative injury caused by auto- 

 mobiles travelling at high and moderate speeds, and it should be 

 possible, by prescribing a maximum rate of speed, to prevent much 

 of the injury now complained of. It may be advisable to exact 

 a higher license fee from owners of high-power machines than from 

 owners of low-power machines. 



In reference to the limitation of the speed of automobiles for 

 the protection of others using the roads, I am of the opinion that 

 the principle which should govern is that any speed is unlawful 

 when it is attended with danger to persons travelling on, or cross- 

 ing, the highways. This is, I believe, the standard provided by 

 the laws of Connecticut, and if intelligently enforced it should 

 effectively prevent the reckless and dangerous driving of auto- 

 mobiles, which has done so much to create a prejudice against them 

 throughout the country districts. I appreciate the fact that what 

 is an entirely safe rate of speed in some sections or on some roads 

 may be a decidedly unsafe rate under other conditions, and that 

 it is impossible to fix by statute the exact speed which will afford 

 the necessary protection against accidents. 



It is in regard to the regulations relating to the registration 

 and identification of automobiles, and their equipment with lights, 

 brakes, horns, etc., that there would seem to be the greatest need 

 for uniformity. The present diversity of laws on these points 

 makes it possible for an automobile owner who is duly registered 

 in his own State, and has complied with all the requirements of 

 its laws, to be an unconscious lawbreaker in an adjoining State 

 because of a misunderstanding as to the nature of the regulations 

 covering certain minor details. This matter should be taken up 

 promptly by the Legislatures of these States, so that an agreement 

 can be reached as to a simple code of regulations, providing for the 

 public safety, but interfering as little as possible with the orderly 

 and reasonable use of the automobile. 



Uniformity is also highly desirable in regard to the taxation 

 and licensing of automobiles. As these vehicles are personal prop- 

 erty, and presumably taxed by the district in which their owners 

 reside, a tax imposed by the State is double taxation, and there- 



