Evening Star Newspaper, July 31, 1927, Page 64

LACK OF COURTESY ONROAD ASSAILED Aaryland Vehicle Commis- sioner Cites Types of Driv- ers Who Are Menaces. “Why is it that a man who is unl- formly courteous and considerate in his dealings with his fellow man so often forgets to exercise the rules | 7 driving a car?” asks E. Austin ghman, Maryland commissioner otor vehicles, in making an ap- “good manners” among auto- s as a big factor for rafety as well as for more pleasant driving ns, ¢ drivers are not ‘intentionally’ discourteous,” he says, citing the case of the man who in business and social \tions shows the utmost considera- for those with whom he comes tact, but who often is found on 's with glaring headiights, v plainly constitutes a nul d a discourtesy to others. Should Have Lights Tested. his illustration is of a type of man who may not be aware of the discomfort his lights give to others. 1 suggest for such cases that the driver who desires to maintain his reputation for courtesy take pains pe- riodically to see that his headlights are properly focused and aimed. “The man who undertakes to ‘show off’ his expertness as an operator by swiftly weaving out of moderately moving streams of traffic ought to be " in the opinion of Mr. . who regards this type as a menace not only to other cars but also to the safety of passengers and guests in his own vehicle. Pra lly all kinds of discourtesy “bad manners” have been consid- ered by Mr. B: of them being’the refusal to yie right of way, failing to drive at a rea- sonable speed in heavy traffic. Pedestrians Also Blamed. Unfair and inconsiderate pede ans also come in for attention by Baughman highway | manners. An aggr: ype,of this _class, he declares, is the person who affects, even if he does not really feel it, an attitude that all motorists should look out for him and give him a wide berth. Reverting to the attitude of motor vehicle operators, Commissioner Baughman has this to say in conclu- sion he exercise of kindness to others, with consideration and true courtesy, will prevent any operator from get- ting a wrong_attitude of mind for driving in traffic. Any operator who is given to losing his temper, who be- comes sulky or is abnormal for any one of the many different causes is unfit to drive, because his automobile provides a medium of expression for his personality and, if that personality is upset, either temporarily or perma- nently, he is almost sure to make trou- ble either for himself or others or, in many instances, for both.” FRONT-WHEE.I: “SHIMMY. ’| Common Defect in Autos Defles Rectifying. | office daily Preparations for the motor camping trip should begin with the family car. Just as the motorist asks himself, “What will we need in the way of provisiois, shelter and equipment?” 50 must he also ask, “What does the car need hefore we get under way?"” The answer to this "question, of course, depends upon the Individual car. In general, however, it can be £aid that the automobile that is kept in reasonably good condition and given service as it needs it probably will require but a minimum of atten- tion to put it into shape for the dif- ferent kind of use it gets when the annual camping trip begins. On the other hand, the machine that is allowed to run along as long as it will run usually is found calling for quite a lot of minor repairs at least before it is prepared to function as a carry-all for the gasoline gypsy and his family. No one will question the absolute importance of having the campers’ transportation unit in the best pos- sible condition. Above all other fea- tures, it makes or mars the ex- perience. Much of the allure of get- ting out into the open lies in the eare with which one can get back again to civilization. Ready egress from the sylvan recesses is just as essen- tial as ready access to them, and both are dependent upon unfaltering and faithful performance of the camper's automobile. There is no doubt that the camping trip is a different kind of experience for the ayerage car, just as it is for the motorist and his family. Comparative Statement. It is no more reasonable to assume that the car that is accustomed to carrying the owner to and from the is prepared for the tour than to assume that the athlete who | has idled for months is ready for a foot ball game. Fortunately, how- ever, it takes less time for the car to be put into condition than is required for the athlete. Regardless of the condition of the car, there are certain essentials that should be checked. These are simple to tabulate and the motorist who is planning a trip would do well to give them his attention. The car's power plant should be given first consideration, naturally. 1f the presence of carbon is notice- able in performance even when su- perior brands of motor fuel are used it should be cleaned and the valves should be adjusted. This latter should be done regardless of the state of carbonization of the engine. It is not unreasonable to assume that the valves of any well used car require inspection at least. A slight looseness makes no difference and even may be a help, but determining whether this minor maladjustment is correct is the task for a man well versed in au- tomotive repair. The ignition system can be checked over and timing should be adjusted for the type of driving ahead of the traveler. 1f there are few hills, it might be well, in the interest of smooth and easy speed, to have the timing slightly fast. If, however, there is some mountain scaling to be done before the journey ends a normal Mechanically inclined motorists who | have followed the engineers’ efforts in | combating the problem of front wheel | shimmy may be interested to know to | what great lengths the manufacturers | and designers are going in an effort | 10 conquer this annoyance. | 1t is generally recognized that shim- | mying is due to unbelievably small ctors and often to combinations of them. But even with this knowledge | in mind it is surprising indeed to note | what odd details are viewed by engi- neers as being capable of contributing to the forces battling against wheel | wobble. In one of the new cars on the| market, for instance, the frame of the | car, which tapers toward both ends, | is made % inch thicker near each | front end. There is no mechanical | contrivance about it—just merely a| reinforcement of the frame stock. And vet this is viewed by the manu- facturer as an important factor in the elimination of the wellknown shimmy. . Trailer Is Found Useful. The trailer for camping purposes hai molved many problems which faced the motor tourist. With the use of even a small trailer, the camper can take with him many of the conveniences to | which he always has been accustomed. Fire-Building Hints Great care must be exercised in using fire when camping. In starting a fire it is advisable to wait until it burning well before placing the larger pieces of wood on it, as they e likely to smother the flames. The fire must be watched continu- ally, since there always is the great danger of flying sparks. If a wind is in the air it is best to guard the fire by placing several rocks in the path of the wind, thus reducing the possi- bility of flying sparks. Hard wood will burn slower than #oft wood and will leave hot coals whi e excellent for frying, baking or roasting. Soft wood fires usually better for hoiling and stewing od, as they produce a greater flame, which is needed to play around the pot Never leave a fire unattended for any period of time. It should be put out at night and when breaking camp, the best means heing to douse it with water and put earth over the ashes. or possibly a slightly slow spark is to be preferred. Another Important Point. ‘The condition of the breaker points is most important. If they are at all rough it will be decidedly of advan- tage to file them down so that a good, clean contact is assured, Even the best of carburetors needs attention now and then and just be- fore a trip is started is the best time to giveit such conditioning as it may require. The car that is taken on a long journey in warm weather usually can stand a relatively leaner mixture, | although variations in altitude, if they are sufficiently great, make it difficult ;Jo decide just what the mixture should e. It always is well to give the bear- ings an inspection before starting a Jjourney, particularly if they have not had one in some time. The car prob- ably will be driven faster than usual and looseness in the crankshaft area will assert itself more quickly and seriously than under normal driving conditions. Tightening the bearings of one of the modern automobiles is a relatively simple and inexpensive job and it is a very worth-while one for Baware of the dealer who offers you grease for the gears of your motor car. Automotive engineers recommend Eboni take no substitute. Just say “EBONITE” Bo Sure You Get It. 20 Cents a Shot ONE_FILLING WITH EBON] WILL TAST %500 SHLES T From the kerbos B, Bratius, o At All Good Dealers’ ui o motorists (ITS SHREDOED Oit. ) SON OIL WORKS UMS ASK THEM Werestour caseon the word of our owners— and you can get any number of their names for the asking. SEMMES MOTOR COMPANY RAPHAEL SEM 8 Dupont Circle 2819 M St. N.W. Edward B. Semmes, Inc. Alexandria, Va. 613 G St. N.W. Main 6660—Night Phone, Main 1943 MES, President 1424 Florida Ave. N.E. Associate Dealer H. C. Fleming Motor Co. Hyattsville, Md. A USED CAR IS ONLY AS DEPENDABLE AS THE DEALER WHO SELWLS IT THE SUNDAY .STAR. |CARE ENJOINED IN PLANNING TRIPS FOR MOTOR CAMPING Prefarations. It Is Urged, Should Begin With the Family Car, Listed Among Chief Essentials. the motor owner, whether he is plan- ning a trip or not. Last, but far from least, in the process of conditioning the car’s power plant is the matter of seeing that it is firmly moored at all suspension points. Engine bolts in certain motors work loose from vibration more readily than in others, of course, but it is the part of wisdom, regardless of the car one owns, to see that they are tight. It actually is not often that much work will be necessary at the point, but the inspection requires but a few minutes. It has been known to reveal broken bolts. Lubricant an Essential. Also, In connection with the motor, It is well to start every long journcy with a fresh supply of lubricant in the nkease. Undoubtedly every motor- ist knows this fact, but it is serious to be questioned whether a majority actually utilizes this knowledge. It is Superior Quality New Low Prices Coach Touring 625 Roadster 695 Coupe Sedan Landau Prices and ] advantageous to have the crankcase flushed out with a thin lubricating ofl, never kerosene, in order that all abra- sive may be taken out before it gets a chance to cause the damage it can do under hard driving. The driving apparatus, from clutch to differential, usually will require lit- tle more attention than that neces- sary to see that transmission, univer- sal joints and differential are filled with grease. The experienced driver alwhys looks carefully to the car control before he Legins a trip that requires many hours of driving. An enormous conservation of energy is possible by giving heed to such items as ease of steering, gear shifting and use of the clutch and brake pedals. Seeing that the front tires are prop erly inflated is a _long step toward effortless steering, but thorough lubri- cation of all parts of the steering ap- paratus is an even longer and more important one. The owner who de- sires to avoid fatigue in every possible way will profit by freeing the clutch and brake pedals. The shaft upon which these work is in an excellent position to catch many foreign sub- stances that interfere with free and casy operation. Generous baths of oll will work remarkable results. The dri- ver who confines his car operation to the brief Sunday trip or the jaunt to | and from his business during the week | will not notice the energy he uses be- cause the clutch and brake pedals stick. On a trip, however, when long hours are spent behind the wheel, the situation is different. The proper adjustment of the brakes Over 110,000 sold the first year! That tells Whippet's success story in WASHINGTON, D. ¢, JULY 31, is Infinitely more mportant on the tour than in ordinary driving. It may possible to get by with improperly set brakes when traveling one's con- ventional route. The tour, however, takes the motorist along strange high- ways with curves that may come with startling suddenness and hills that may be treacherous because their unfamiliarity makes them deceptive. Good brakes will obviate many of the tense moments which are the inevi- table result of venturing forth on strange highways with poorly adjusted ones. In connection with the brakes on | the car being prepared for a tour, it may be well to look to the washers that keep the grease of the rear axle from inundating the linings and durms. On the long trip in warm weather the differential lubricant be- comes decidedly more fluid than under ordinary driving conditions and uv\lr-fisl these washe! e efficient, the grease will flow over the brakes, an obviously harmful procedure. Another important item in_condi- tioning the car has to do with the spring Long, long hours on the highway can be made pleasant be- yond belief by giving a little consider- ation to the springs of the ca The uncovered spring probably will be found to have lost many of its excel- lent qualities because of rust between the leaves. Spreading the leaves and inserting graphite is the remedy, al- though ordinary lubricating oil is more generally used. The oil, however, can do more harm than good because while the rust can impair the desirable fric- tional values of the spring: ive a nutshell. Whippet Whippet ~ “Six” 3625 %795 765 825 795 875 925 with 625 725 755 o. b. f o . Watch others follow with the features introduced by Whippet over a year ago. Maximum economy — Whippet holds the A. A. A. Coast-to-Coast economy rec- ord. 5,205 Whippet drivers ina nation-wide test substantiated Whippet claims to extra mileage from gasoline. Lowest-priced car with four-wheel brakes—The only light car offering this modern safety feature as standard equip- ment nationally. Whippet 1927—PART Campers Warned To Hide Leather From Porcupines When camping in a district where there may be porcupines, it is imperative that the camper leave no article made of leather within reach of this animal. Porcupines | have a great predilection for leath- | er of all Kinds. A Government official recently went out to Glacier National Park | on a trip of inspection. During the first night of camping, porcupines devoured a pair of brand-new hik- ing boots and ate the sweatband out of a hat? It also is advisable to be sure that food stores are safely out of the rea lubrication can kill them altogether. The covered spring probably will need very little attention beyond seeing that the bolts are tight. It will pay to inspect the spare tire. Tt may not have been used for some time and may not have set in. All the tires, of course, need careful scrutiny before the trip. ‘This list of conditioning features | north. STARS SAFEST GUIDES FOR TOURISTS AT NIGHT Motorists Can Find Directions by Learning Positions of Planets. For the motor tourist who travels at night it is essential to know bow to find true north. Before the inven- tion of the compass mariners and others were obliged to get their bear- ings from the stars, and in the ab- sence of a compass at night this is the safest means of identifying true L] Ths North Star forms a part of the constellation known as the Little Dip- per and lies at the end of its handle. As many are unable to distinguish | the Littie Dipper, another means of | finding the North Star is through the Big Dippe | Nearly every one is familiar with this consteliation.” A line drawn through the two outside stars of the bowl of the Big Dipper will strike the North | Star, which I8 comparatively small and " sometimes difficult to discern. Facing the North Star, east is to the traveler's right, west to his left and south to his rear. may sound imposing. The motorist who starts at the top and works a the way through, however, will find it requires but a short time to put the car in prime condition, provided it has en reasonably good care. During the daytime, should the trav- ;Pl» desire to find true south, a sure | way is to point the hour hand of his | !\\llch toward the sun. A lineé drawn ;hnl{ way between the hour hand and 112 o'clock will point directly south. HANDBRAKE IS USEFUL. Auxiliary Is Especially Pitted for Summer-Time Driving. Service brakes are so efficient and 80 easy to use that the motorist gets out of the habit of resorting to th hand brake. On cars that have expc ed service brakes, however, drivers find that rain interferes with their abil. ity to stop the car. During the Sum- mer, when showers are frequent and forceful there is a splendid opportuni. ty to use the hand brake, which is en. closed on many cars. Since it is rela. tively little used, it will be found to be in fine condition and very handy when the service brake linings are water-logged. It is worth a trial. AUTO REPAIRING ALL MAKES Gardner, Flint and Hudson SERVICE A SPECIALTY T. J. CAMFIELD. 1615 O St. N.W. North 9767 Tires and Accessories The ONLY light car with these Modern features 4-wheel brakes, 55 miles per hour, unequaled economy, more inside room, low center of gravity. Faster—55 miles an hour and a pickup of 5 to 30 miles per hour in 13 seconds. Low center of gravity—Keeps the car hugging roads. the road at all speeds. on costliest cars. size. STERRETT & FLEMING, Inc. Home of the Gold Seal Used Cars Champlain St. at Kalorama Road SHOWROOM-—CONNECTICUT AVE. AT S Columbia 5050 Narrow body posts—Forclearer vision. Oversize balloons—Together with snubbers assure smooth riding on rough Force-feed lubricating system — As Adjustable steering wheel — Makes driving comfortable for any person of any