The Crittenden Automotive Library

AUTO LAW HURTS MAINE

Publication: The New York Times
Date: 18 June 1922

A striking object lesson of the lack of clear thinking in drafting motor vehicle laws has recently been revealed in Maine. Similar conditions, although not resulting so seriously, have occurred in other States, and it is well known to many motorists that legislation has been introduced in this State which, if adopted as originally drafted, would have occasioned harm and no benefit, and when such mistakes were pointed out by motorists who knew more about practical conditions than certain legislators, the bills were promptly amended or withdrawn.

The difficulty in Maine is due to the act passed a year ago that all motor trucks entering from other States must be registered and pay the regular fee. In other words, reciprocity to trucks was denied, and Massachusetts, in accordance with its reciprocity law, which permits motor travel priviliges equal to those accorded by other States, was compelled to require the registry of Maine trucks when crossing the State line. This drastic action on the part of Maine has led many persons to believe that passenger cars from other States entering Maine will also be forced to pay the Maine registry fee. So prevalent is this opinion that the business interests of the State are beginning to fear that there will be serious curtailment of motor tourists and consequently a loss of business.

That the Maine citizens feel the seriousness of the matter was shown last week when a committee went to Augusta for a conference with the Governor and pointed out the prospective loss of tourist trade. As a result a committee was appointed consisting of the Maine Attorney General, a representative of the Highway Department, a member of the Governor's Council and President V. S. Darling of the Androscoggin Automobile Dealers' Association, to go to Boston and confer with Commissioner Cole and Frank A. Goodwin of the Motor Vehicle Bureau. The Massachusetts officials do not exactly see what they can do about it, as the difficulty was created by Maine, and until the Maine law returns to the recognition of interstate motor reciprocity the attitude of the Pine Tree State will doubtless be misunderstood and many prospective tourists may decide to go elsewhere.