Executive Order  No. 72: (1st Series) Issuance of plates by Department of Public Utilities to commercial carriers operating leased vehicles

WHEREAS, the provisions of General Laws, chapter 159B, sections 9 and 10, require the display of a distinguishing plate on each motor vehicle employed by carriers in the transportation of property over the ways within the Commonwealth for compensation; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of said section 9 restrict the transfer from one vehicle to another of any plate issued thereunder and the provisions of said section 10 prohibit entirely the transfer from one vehicle to another of any plate issued thereunder; and

WHEREAS, many carriers by motor vehicle in the course of business find it necessary temporarily to lease motor vehicles for the emergency transportation of materials necessary to the prosecution of the war; and

WHEREAS, compliance with the provisions of said sections with respect to motor vehicles leased by such carriers for the purpose of making such emergency transportation seriously delays the expeditious delivery of such materials; and

WHEREAS, the Government of the United States, acting through the Office of Defense Transportation, has requested that appropriate action be taken to suspend the requirements of said sections 9 and 10, in so far as may be necessary to facilitate the transportation of materials necessary for the prosecution of the war:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting under the provisions of Acts of 1941, chapter 719, section 7, as amended by Acts of 1943, chapter 3, Acts of 1942, chapter 13, sections 2 (5), (15), and 3, and all other authority vested in me, do hereby issue this order as a measure necessary and expedient for meeting the supreme emergency of the existing state of war between the United States and certain foreign countries.

The Department of Public Utilities is hereby authorized and empowered to issue plates to carriers by motor vehicle of property over the ways within the Commonwealth for compensation to be used only on motor vehicles temporarily leased by such carriers. Any plate so issued may be transferred from one such leased vehicle to another such vehicle leased by the carrier to whom such plate was originally issued. Every such plate shall be displayed in the manner prescribed by General Laws, chapter 159B, section 9.

The Department of Public Utilities shall keep a separate record of the plates issued to each carrier for use on leased vehicles. Said department may make such rules and regulations relative to the issue and use of such plates as it deems necessary and proper, and may revoke, recall or prohibit the use of any plate issued under the authority granted in this order without assigning any cause therefor.

The provisions of this order shall not apply to any vehicle operated by such a carrier under a lease pursuant to the terms of which title to said vehicle ultimately may be acquired by said carrier.

The provisions of General Laws, chapter 159B, sections 9 and 10, shall be applicable to plates issued hereunder, except in so far as the provisions of said sections may be inconsistent herewith and to such extent said provisions are hereby suspended.

GIVEN at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this 30th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and forty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and sixty-eighth.

By His Excellency the Governor,
Leverett Saltonstall