Evening Star Newspaper, February 15, 1925, Page 62

Individual Motoring on Trial With Prospect of “Conviction” Experts Tending Toward Principle of Averages in Working Out Safest Control of Traffic. BY WILLIAM ULLMAN. John Doe, who thinks he is a pretty smart automobilist, and Henry Blank, who has his own ideas as to how a driver should drive, may have to submergo their individualities and come down, or perhaps up, to the Tevel of common safety, :f there is anything in the predictions now floating around in automotive circies. It seems that there has been too much individuality in driving for the safety of the general public and the good of motordom as a whole. On this basis it is belleved by many that the automobilist of the near futura will be just part of a huge system and no more of an entity than any one_ else. There appears to be considerable proof to support such a prediction. The boulevard system, for instance, regards all automobile drivers as cogs in a great traflic-control wheel. It makes no difference whether you are internationally known or the grocer's driver, a beginner or a race track idol, You stop when the lights direct you to do so and start only when the others start. Surprise to Individunlist. This probably will be a surprise to the many motorists who have ideas of their own as to how traffic thall be directed and who frequently dem- onstrate them. When a man has made up his mind that what the country needs are drivers who can stand out as shining examples of good behavior and common sense, it isn’t very encouraging to bs told that the time is coming when he will be but part of a great system that will recognize no individual merits. The shock is partly absoroed, Fow- ever, when the subject is properly analyzed. The extreme individualist may be convinced that his way is the right way, but thers are many facts to be considered. Perhaps the most important of these is to step into the role of the “other fellow” Just a moment. This process reveals the troubles many drivers experfence when in- dividualists are trying out their plans. Any scheme, traffic experts maintain, that is different and that is tried by a small proportion of the trafic units is bound to create a @isturbance regardless of whether the scheme is inherently good or bad. In other words, it seems that if John Doe sees a point in driving very slow- Jy at & certain point a dozen other drivers who would run at a little higher speed are annoyed. Such an- noyance results frequently in serious | accidents due to John Doc's exclusive brand of care. LACK OF SELECTION MISTAKEN PROGRESS Dealer Describes Enormous Ideas of Progress in Buying of Automobiles. Carelessness in buying cars is the real reason for what passes in Amer- fca as a Gesire to be progressive, in the opinion of Stanley Horner, local Buick dealer. Under the pretext of wanting to keep pace with the times, he says, the average motorist is constantly turning in the car that he really never should have bought. According to Mr. Horner’s analysis of the excessive turnover of cars the motorist has carried the bluff so far that he actually fools himself. “This condition,” he explains, “re- sults in hasty buying, annual dis- satisfaction, a high depreclation loss and a foolish conviction that it is part of progressive ownership to keep changing. This would be logical if improvements in cars were 50 radi- cal from year to year as to warrant discarding a year-old car, but with conditions as they are there is no reason why each motorist should not be able to select a car that would gave him the annual turnover. “It is merely a question in selecting the proper cars for one’s needs. Con- sideration of price classes is not always essential. A man might easily buy too fine a car only to discover that with his limited means and care- lese habits in ownership he could not do Jjustice to the investment. “American car owners enjoy the reputation of being progressive, but they are carrying it too far. Their progressiveness has actually become carelessness. They want the newest and the best, but they do not take the time or trouble to find it. “Any new car will not do for the man who Is honestly trying to be progressive, for there Is no car bullt today that will satisfy everybody. There are, however, enough cars on the market to satisfy every need. It is'a matter of bringing the two into| proper focus.” A Quality Car STUDEBAKER At Quantity Price As EBONITE “Strings™ to a Stick, MR. MOTORIST The manufacturer of your car will tell you not to use sioply out » clasa path through gTease run practically umlubricated. The trausmission and rear axles are best insured with EBONITE, and it is in- @orsed by Automotive Engi- DeeTs. Bay with your mind made up. Demand EBONITE. Take no substitute. At dealers in five-pound cans, and at_service stations from the EBONITE cheokerboard pump only. "EBONITE S SHREDDED OIL R TRANSMISSIONS AND REAR AXLES N DILWORKS (5§ ne The tendency of traffic regulation is to subordinate, even submerge, in- dividuality, in order to Xkeen every unit doing the same thing. It is a case where the majority rules. As one of the prophets points out, individuality in driving mus: be the chief cause of aoccidents, for thero has never been an Instance where theaverage of a group of drivers got into trouble simultaneously. This point {s rather interesting with respect to speed. It is a matter of record that automobilists cvery- where are driving faster and faster. Speeds of 25, 30 and 35 miles an hour | are becoming rather common in many cities, and highway speeds are pro- portionally higher. Observers will stand at the street corners and watch this trafic speed by, often reaching the conclusion that this increased average speed is the reason for the great number of annual accidents and |! fatalities But what are the facts? Which drivers of the hundreds passing get into trouble—those that are keeping up the pace, following the crowds, or those that are exceeding the average speed or lagging behind ac- cording to their own notions of how trafiic ought to move? Find Answer to Safety. It is maintained that if the average of the drivers were wrong in run- ning at the average speed, regardless of what that speed happened to be in miles per hour, the averaxe driver would smash into something. That he does nothing of the sort is en- couraging many persons to believe that the answer to safety {s t> sub- merge individuality and keep all drivers driving alike. An effort would be made, of course, to improve the average. But this would be accomplished by means of changes in traffic control, not through Individuality of the drivers. It, for instance, it is found advisa- ble to speed up trafc, the oMclals would reduce the time allowed for cross traffic in the boulevard system, or perhaps shorten the intervals for the boulevard traffic. Drivers, find- ing that they could not travel as far between stops as they used to, would drive a little faster. In doing so they would discover that it {s essantial to have better brakes, better adjusted motors, and to be more effictent in the handling of their cars. Greater speed could be attained, therefore, withou: danger. Should an individual motorist take a notion to cover greater distances between stops the chances are 10 to 1 that he would soon feature in an accident. He would be out of key with the whole scheme. He would be sacrificing safety to individuality. Railroad Practice Cited. It is to offset this sort of danger that traffic experts are turning to the plan of developing traffic as a whole rather than considering it as com- posed of varying units. -At present there s a tendnecy to give the right of way to persons who sesm capable of getting across quickly, There is a lot of discrimination in trafic con- trol as a result of recognizing vary- ing grades of experience, and now and again there is a miscalculation and some one pays the penaity. In ralflroad traffic control individ- uality is totally eliminated. An en- gineer has to be up to the average of competency before he is allowed to pilot at all. Any skill he reveals over and above this the roads regard as velvet, and they count “upon it only to minimize trouble in the event that the system as a whole goes wrong. An engineer is supposed to operate on a definite schedule, He may be perfectly capable of making time be- tween points, but the system forces him to submerge his individuality and operate his train in the same way that other engineers along the same line operate theirs. The result is that there are fewer bursts of in- dividuality and fewer accidents. Something on this order would seem to be developing in motordom. And if there is no other argument in favor of it one is forced to admit that there is something in borrowing a leaf from the experience of an older and wiser form of transportation. (Copyright, 1925.) THE SUNDAY HAVING TO S STAR, WASHINGTON, \WHII GUEST PATIENTLY COAXES HER LITTLE PET INTO THE USE OF BUSSES GROWS 25 PER CENT IN YEAR| CARS OF WORLD, REPORT SHOWS 53.000 Now in Service in United States and Canada, National Auto Chamber Shows. Busses and motor vehicles for bus use built and placed in service last year numbered 12,500, according to the motor truck committes of the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. These new vehicles bring the total number of busses in service in the United States and Canada to 53,000, the increase in 1924 being ap- proximately 25 per cent. The majority of the busses are being used by independent-common carriers, but they are rapidly being pressed into service, the committee points out, by electric railways, schools, hotels, real estate firms, department stores, factories and railroad termi- nal companies. MISTAKE TO AVOID. Choking Engine as You Shut Off Held Poor Policy. It does make starting easier over & period of several hours to choke the engine an instant as you shut it off, but it is a poor plan to follow. In the first place the extra charge of gas vapor under compression is one of the cylinders soon condenses, turns into liquid gasoline, leaks down past the piston rings of the respective cylinder, dilutes the oil and, in ad- dition, cleans all ofl off the valve stems of an L-head motor so that valves are likely to start sticking. When you get into the habit of do- ing this each time you stop you are quite apt to do it when you put the car away for the night, and that simply means getting maximum re- sults from your mistake. THE CAR— Coppeige. P, ey bl rapeiies Momgir Sarven ‘D.. ¢, FEBRUARY 15, 1925—PART 3. U. S. HAS 80 PER CENT OF MOTOR If the United States were compet- ing with the rest of the world in a long-distance race, it would win “in a walk,” for more persons in this country are riding in automobiles than in all the rest of the world com- bined. Eighty per cent of the world’'s motor vehicles are traveling over America's streets and highways, and approximately one of every six per- sons in this country has eithef an automobile, a truck or a motor cycle. These are figures based on 1924 a tomotlve statistics, just issued by Percy Owen, chief of the automotive division of the Department of Com- merce. In round numbers, the Unjted States last year spent $2,352,000,000 on new motor vehicles, while the ex- penditure of the entire world on mo- tor trapsportation was slightly more than an additional billion dollars. Entire Cost of Cars. Returns from the department's trade agents throughout the world indicate that during the last year there were assimilated 3,300,000 pas- senger cars and trucks and 200,000 motor cycles. At an average retail cost of 31,000 for cars and trucks and $300 for motor cycles, the world spent about $3,360,000,000 for new motor vehicles. The United States alone ac- counted for 70 per cent of the new vehicles purchased. A world Increase of 2,750,000 in pas. senger cars and approximately 550,- 000 in trucks during 1924 reveals the fact that the latter registered a more imposing rate of registration increase than did the former, the figures being 23 per cent for trucks and 17 per cent for cars. This represents a ten- dency, according to Mr. Owens, which may be even more pronounced dur- ing the present year. It is also said to substantiate the oft-repeated statement that automotive vehicles are coming more and more to fill the world's need for commercial trans- portation. “As American motor vehicle manu- OAKLAND COACH Equipment— IS THE BEST : Coach, $1,215—f. o. b. Factory. Four-wheel brakes, Fisher body, Duco finish, bal- loon tires, disc steel wheels, automatic spark con- trol, unit instrument panel, automatic windshield cleaner, transmission lock, rear view mirror, per- manent visor, walnut mouldings, dome light, foot rest, no glare lenses, tumbler door locks, invisible door checks. : 1612 14th St. N.W. Wallace Motor Company Potomac 1742 1709 L St. N.W. Main 7612 facturers give more and more atten- tion to markets outside of the United States,” said Mr. Owen, “it is inter- esting to point out some of those countries which have exhibited the greatest registration strength during the year. In most cases these new and larger figures are the result of greater export activity on the part of American firms, but it must not be overlooked that European firms are also responsible for some of the changes. “Combining passenger cars and trucks, France and the United King- I C BECKs 1944 dom, with gains of well over 100,000 each, lead all other countries in the race for more complete motorization. Numerically, they were followed by Australia, Germany, Canada, Argen- tina, Italy, Sweden and New Zealand.” The world registration survey of the automotive division of the De- partment of Commerce shows that on January 1, 1925, there were in opera- tion in all countries, 18,615,000 pas- senger cars, 2,892,000 tru and 2,000 motor cycles, a total of 2 000 motor vehicles. The increase for the vear over the total reported for January 1, 1924, was 3,479,000, or 18 per cent. —e ed airship that is to fly Surope, India and Australi, 100 passengers. The A between will carry A.A.Opposes S pecial Taxation Of Autoists Except for Roads Declared Un-American to Place Burden on One Class for Benefits Shared by All, Such as Schools or W aterworks Use of funds collected from gas- oline taxation for purposes other than those connected with the construction and maintenance of roads and the use and operation of motor vehicles is condemned by the American Automo- bile Association as an unjust dis- crimination against the automobile owner. The attempt on the part of munic- ipalities and State legislatures, as has become evident in certain sections of the country, to victimize the motor- 1st to the extent of making him bear the major portion of the burden of general {mprovements s an evil which “strikes at the very root of the fundamental principles of repre- sentative taXation,” according to Thomas P. Henry, president of the association. Is Easily Taxed. “The automobile owner is probably the most easily taxed of all our citizens,” explained Mr. Henry. “Iie pays his personal, his municipal, county, State and Federal taxes, and, in addition, his motor vehicle and gas taxes. These arc perhaps all neces- sary and, when applied and admin- Istored properly, just and equitable. But when State and municipal officlals attempt to fill the coffers of their treasuries with huge sums for gen- eral improvement, gathered in large part from additional burdens imposed on the car owner, they are treading on dangerous ground, and it {s high time a stop be put to such practice. “The American Automobile Asso- ciation is unalterably opposed to any practice of taxing car owners as such for general governmental pur- poses, whether it be to construct a schoolhouse, acquire a public utility or grant a general increase in salaries to_public officials, “The money for such purposes should be raised from the entire citi- zenship, regardless of car ownership, and any deviation from that practice strikes at the very root of the funda- mental principles of representative taxation for which this country has always stoo Taxation for Roads. At a recent meeting of the bhoard of directors of the A. A. A., a resolu- tion was adopted stating that “the American Automobile Association be- lieves it to be an inequality of tax- ation to levy upon the owners of motor cars, busses and trucks, and against their use asa class, excise and | other special taxes and licenses for general governmental purposes. This ssociation urges that funds so raised be used exclusively for purposes directly connected with and related by Mr. Henry, was baesed on reports to national headquarters here that not a few communities were floating large bond issues for general im- provements, the bonds to be payable out of funds collected In large part from gasoline and motor vehicle exclses. In many cases the proceeds from these issues were to provide, among other things, for road con- struction and maintenance. “Unless public officfals specify 1o what extent sums so obtained will be used for road and motor vehicle purposes and to what cxtent the will be used for projects of & gencra nature, these general {mprovemen bond issues”, continued Mr. Henr “will prove unpopular with the auto- mobile owner. Is Hit Hardest, “Many public officials are too pr to want to have large sums in the treasuries available for fmprove- ments. The result is that the tax- payer is taxed more heavily to pay the interest and principal, and the most easily taxed of all—the owner of an automobile, motor bus or truck —gets hit the hardest.” The failure of the $75,000,000 Ker tucky general improvement bond issue at the last election was cited as an example of the probable result of further attempts to place the brunt of general improvements on car owners as such. Of the sum the State proposed to raise, $50,000,000 was to be expended for the construc- tion and maintenance of roads, and the remainder—325,000,000—for Statc asylums, the university and other general purposes. The interest and principal on the entire issue, however, were to be pa able out of funds collected from a 32- cent gasoline tax to be levied upon automobiles, motor trucks and busses. “This proposed issue was opposed not only by the automobile clubs,” Mr. Henry explained, “but it failed to recelve the indorsement of the munic Ipal securities committee of the In- vestment Bankers' Assoclation. The motor clubs recognized in it an e fort to straddle unjustly onto the ca owner $25,000,000 and more additiona’ taxation which rightly should be im posed upon the entire citizenship. Th banke saw in it poor communi financing practice. With car owner through their automobile organiz tion erting their rights, it fail ge at election time & proponents also went down with to defeat.” The legislative committee of t national association, it was said, w to the construction, maintenance and use of roads and the use and opera- tion of motor vehicles.” This resolution, it was pointed out The Maxwell Po Is Excess Values Ask good Maxwell owners the reason for their enthusiasm. Ask them the secret of the car’s popularity. One will place the emphasis, per- another on its ease of haps, on the car’s agile qualities, riaing and handling, while still another will express wonder at its economy. When you sum it all up it means just this: Never before has the E:blic been able to buy so much e motoring for so little money. No matter what your own expe- rience as a motorist may be, if you don’t know the new good Maxwell Touri Sndan."gl 1321-23 14th St. Northwest you have a ing you. ality you have devote a large part of its time &’ talent this year is aiding affiliat clubs in combating such inimical pr posals. ity %enu.ine surprise await- or thorough - going never seen any- in the four-chinder field like thisMaxwell-Chrys erachievement. The backbone of Maxwell quality is sound engineeri in the Maxwell e advantages in the fact . But investors joy further t the car is built almost in its entirety within its own plants, even to and most insignificant assurance of still hig still greater values. the smallest Thisis er quality, If you want to compare the good Maxwell with others be prepared to go outside the Maxwell field. Car, #895; Club Coupe, #995; Club Sedan, #1045; Standard 095; Special Sedan, #1245. All prices f.o0.b. Detroit, tax extra. We are pleased to extend the convenience of time- payments. Ask about Maxwell’s attractive plan. H. B. Leary, Jr., & Bros., Distributors MAXWELL—CHRYSLER Salesrooms Open Evenings and Sundays North 4206 Gea. Ofice sad Service 161222 You St. N.W.