Evening Star Newspaper, February 26, 1928, Page 59

" SPEED AND SAFETY -~ GOAL FORTRUCKS “akers Seeking Beauty, Wear and Economy for Public, Says Leader. and safe commercial S Nmb the aim of the truck nsportation = wianuiacturer ay. orosident of a national truck company. In iruck building serious attention is 2150 given to many other items. includ- ing sturdmess, accessibility, economy, wwafic conditions and . providing com- iorts for the than who is to drive. The public appreciates good looking vohicles. They have no objection to tha s of the unit. if due attention is given to the safety of others. But they want automotive equipment to be quiet. Manufacturers are taking noise out of their vehicles. Pride of truck ownership and public good will | building give merchants an incentive 1o operate quiet truck equipment which i sturdy and good looking as well as sconomical in operation. Ninety per cent of motor truck units duwit today are under the 2-ton class. There 18 no reason that all of these should not move as silently, as swiftly | and as safely as passenger vehicles. That is the inspiring conviction and outlook that our commercial transpor- tation manufacturing units now hold. It forms the basis of our constructive policies and guides our efforts to build motor trucks which will fit modern conditions. In these policies we feel that we owe an obligation both to the general public and to truck owners. This is not a divided obligation, for the kind of truck vhich the public approves is the best for the business man to own. The six-cylinder engine gave the pas- isnger car imdustry its great impetus ameé years ago. History is repeating itself, and it is the six-cylinder engine which is playing & major role in the new era of light and fast duty motor trucks. ‘The motor truck industry is applying these lessons and principles learned so thoroughly in the passenger car field. Yet t has problems purely its own, ero iderat = vehicle for its owner, and its naking “iciency must be judged from that, by the purchaser. 1al reasons the truck of new era must be different from W\ this powerful, larger according to the the | strictly out of commercial con- | The truck is a profit-| THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FEBRUARY 26, 1928—PART 4. American History and Shrines Better Known Since Advent of Motor Tourist One of the most important by- products of motor touring is the keener appreciation of American history and national historic shrines that has come in the wake of the ever-increasing mo- tor caravan, according to the American Motorist, the official publication of the American Automobile Association. “Get acquainted with American his- tory,” is a slogan, says the Motorist, thet is competing for first position with the slogan, “See America Firs I continues “Indications secm to make it rather evident that the presént-day motor tourist is quite as Interested in visiting historic shrines as_he {8 in visiting seenic objectives, It was inevitable that this should be the case, since motor touring provides the best possible post-graduate course in the. study of American history. . “This growing appetite for history on the part of the motoring masses is at- tested to by librarians and by national and State historic societies. Historical pageants of recent years were visited by hundreds of thousands of motor tourists and have focused attention in a con- crete and intimate way not only on the particular event celebrated but on all historic shrines. “A convincing testimony to the cur- rent interest in history is shown in the extent to which States and municipal- itias have bden virtually compelled to provide roads between the main high- ways and historic monuments adjacent that preceded it. The wide expansion of good roads has enlarged the range of business activity enormously. It is per- foctly feasible to make prompt deliv- eries over distances that were all out of range a few years ago. But to do this trucks must be designed for fast-| duty service. They must be able to cover the ground more rapidly. save time and operate at spoed with smooth- ness and economy of fuel. That is what the new type of six-cylinder truck is primarily designed to do. In this way it has become an en- tirely new asset to business. Its first net return to the owner is a reduced cost of maintenance and operation. And it also helps him spread his busi- ness over a larger territory. The truck of the new era affords an- other great gain. It attracts a better class of drivers. Truck drivers today are in many instances salesmen. resentative of the owner's. business. A modern truck, easy and comfortable to | handle, attractive in looks, entices men of higher caliber than were available some years ago. Truck driving has been raised in dignity and in efficlency ac- rdingly. AN \ W\ T$3.45 In every instance they are at least a rep- | thereto. And still another testimony is &mvlded in the brisk trade in old s, relics and all kinds of antiques. “Thus, while the automobile and mo- tor touring has been more influential than anything else in eliminating sec- tionalism, it has at the same time be- come a powerful factor in the develop- ment of & more abiding patriotism and a higher type of pride in worthwhile achievements, because the patriotism and the pride are based on more ex- tensive knowledge and a clearer per- | spective.” SEVEN FATALITIES NOTED IN 30 AUTO ACCIDENTS | Maryland State Commission Re- ports Survey on Road Mishaps This Year. BALTIMORE, February 25 (Special). | —Fatal accidents have numbered nearly | one in every four automobile mishaps on the roads of the State so far this year, according to a survey just com- pleted by the State Roads Commission i The number of collisions and other accidents from January 1 was thirty, the | survey shows. | were fatal. | 'The National Highway, stretching | from Baltimore through western Mary- | land to Cumberland, has been the most | deadly so far this year, the report says, with three persons killed in a total of | five crashes. Through all of 1927 the fatal accl- | dents formed only 12 per cent of the Commission show. Thus far this year the percentage hes been 23 per cent There was A total of 490 accidents last year, 63 of them fatal. In the 63 fatal accidents, however, there were T8 | deaths. one accident alone accounting for five of the fatalities. The seven fatal accidents this year have caused just seven deaths. Five of the 30 crashes recorded since the first of the year and one of the fatalitics occurred on ~Washington Boulevard: The National Highway is the only other road on which five ac- cidents have been recorded. Wintry weather, with slippery road- by Joen N. Mackall, chatrman of the roads commission, as responsible for the prepondenance of deadly accidents. Only 11 per cent of all cars are in | cities of 500,000 and over. 1] SiX offers *5,000 value' e A CAREFUL study of all six-cylinder . cars in the 83000 to 810,000 group reveals startling facts. important features and advantages of these quality cars is shows today’s trend in fine cars. It levels out the freakish specifications of some cars and gives us a balanced group of specifications that might very well pertain to an ideal quality Six. The Stearns-Knight attains this ideal balance of features than any other fine car. A An average of significant. It more closely 137.inch gq4t 83000. wheelbase is proper length for greatest eomfort—without being too long. 82 horsepower furnish ample power to give amazing acceleration, all the speed you care 10 use and ability to conquer any hill or road emergency. 4-wheel payment may casissmn g S brakes and 312 square inches of brak- ing surface, allow utmost safety and security at all times. 204 inches of springs, means much greater comfort than most fine cars offer. Knight Sleeve-Valve Motor is obtain- able in no other Six of this class. The weight is ideal for a fine car. The famous (n these features —in heauty—in com- fort—in performance—in distinctive. ness, Stearns-Knight is supreme—a car for which you would expect to pay at Drive the Stearns-Knight and judge for yourself the advantages of owning this ideal car. We will gladly place a car at your disposal. Attractive terms of be arranged, if desired. The STEAPNS -KNIGHT 5 Tassenger Sedan - #3450 earns-Kni JMOTOR CARS OF QUALITY Comparison of Six-Cylinder Cars in - 83000 to 810,000 Classes > A Wheelbase . Horsepower - Main B Spring Length - Engine - - o Note how closely the Stearns-Knight Six compares in - < if STEARNS. AVERAGE me“, X i 136 inches 9% /5.6 14 — | 137 inches |82 337 uq. inches | 312 oq. inches 194 inches | 204 inches All others— | Knight-sleeve Poppet-valves | val - 4653 Ihs. 14562 1hs. | | T ”SS‘I.\ 4l ’h".\fl” —— these important and significant features with the average of all fine-quality cars. hen note that Stearns-Knight is more than $2000 lower in price than the average, ght STERRETT & FLEMING, Inc. New Displsy Rooms 1711 14th Street N.W. Home of the Gold Seal Used Cars Champlain St. at Kalorama Rd. . Columbis 5050 New Display Room 1711 1th Street N.W, Of this number seven ! total accidents, rocords of the Roads ! ays and a lack of tire chains, is cited | MOTORNOLONGER COSTLY LUXURY Automobile Becomes Every- Day Necessity at Moderate Expense tot Public. From an expensive Juxury to an everyday necessity the automobile has moved llonq the path of until today it of the raw and finished materials pro- duced m_the United States, according to Sid Black, prominent motor com- pany executive of Cleveland, Ohio. “Never in the history of the world has an industry shown the remarkable growth which ‘characterized the aut mobile industry during the last ° years” Mr, Black said. “In 1002 the automobile was still in the experi certain it would never be more than a fad. Public sentiment with ignorant superstition was strong in its popular use. ufacturers produced inefficient chines fashioned after the familiar buggy. Steam cars were about as nu- merous as gas-driven vehicles. Vehicles Registered in 1927. “At the first of the year 1927 there were 24,580,249 motor vehicles regis- tered in the United States, or one dustry which almost $6,000,000,000 a year in wages to nearly 4000000 persons. Taxes alone take $700,000,000 yearly from the industry, which ranks first in the country in the value of its products jand third in exports. “Approximately 14 per cent of all finished rolled iron and steel 15 used in the manufacturing of motor vehicles. as is 50 per cent of the plate glass pro- duced in the United States, 63 per cent of the upholstery leather, 11 per cent of the hardwood used here and 84 per cent of the crude rubber used in the United States. “Raw cotton and refined mineral olls are the only products which exceed automotive products in total export value, according to the Bureau of Do- body types Progress | uses a large percentage | mental stage and many prophets were | opposing | A few scattered man- | ma- | for every five persons. Of the 27 500.000 | families in the United States 15,317,500 | of them, or approximately 55 per-ment, | own motor cars. This mammoth in-| roduces these cars pays | mestic and Forelgn Commerce. Seven and one-half per cent of the total exports is represented by the automo- tive industries. In 1923 exports were 120,035 passenger cars; in 1926, 244,308 cars were exported, with a value of $180,885,830. Much Expense Eliminated. “No longer is the automobile an expensive luxury, but an everyday necessily, Present-day business could not be conducted without the automo- bile. Truck facilities supplement the raflroads. Five hundred railroads in the United States and Canada use this service and nearly as many more are using motor busses. The thousands of firms making use of motor cars ond trucks for business and delivery purposes are well known. “Town and country have been brought closer together by the motor car. The dense population of the mafor cities has been thinned out by the development of the suburban areas, the automobile being largely re- sponsible, To the farmers rapid tran: portation and a quick method of haul- ing produce to markct have been great !wl[‘x_:_ “The automotive industry has been responsible for a great many improve- ments in manufacturing mecthods. Quality in quantity has been one of the great results. Many machine shop in- ventions which are of untold value to a large number of industries have been developed primarily for the motor trade. Other Industrial Advancements. “Improved foundry practices synchronized conveyor systems are other industrial advancements which can be attributed to the automobile and which are instrumental in raising quality and increasing output. and “Despite the phenomenal growth nr‘ the industry, there is still a growing market both home and abroad for improved cars. The year 1023 should sce the industry in a far more stable condition than it has boen in 1027 The replacement market is constantly growing larger, as is the two-car field. A survey made by the National Auto- mobile Chamber of Commerce showed that of the car-owning families only 11-5 per cent owned more than one car each in 1920. At present this number has grown to about 18 per cent and fs still increasing. thereby offering greater sales possibilities for the auto- mobile manufacturers. It is your duty to insist that your chauffeur obey the trafic regulations. A wide variety ot models and -~prices beginning at $860, f. o. b. Detroit. Illus- trated 1s Model 619, 4-pas- senger Coupe, $1575. Automatic hand tools, multiple | drills, mammoth presses and other au-| | tomatic machines are among these. U..S. BUS INDUSTRY Increase in 1927 More Than Exceeded Expectations, Survey Shows. Expansion of the bus industry in| ment promised by the operating ex-| perience of 1926. | The industry’s progress has been of a healthy, orderly nature and has been controlled by the three governing fac- tors of regulation, consolidation and ex- pansion which became apparent needs | during the development of bus trans-| portation in the period of 1924-26. From the standpoint of the develop: ment and organization of the industry | in the future, the most important de- | | velopment of 1927 was the capitaliza- the sentiment in favor of Federal regulation of motor busses en- gaged in iInterstate transportation. | The Interstate Commerce Commls- | slon since 1926 has been developing facts in regard to the rapidly expaud- ing. bus industry, with the view to making recommendations to Congress | on the proper legislation for regulation and control of the interstate lines. | United sentiment of the 2,100 affillated | bus operators, including leading steam | |and electric railways, is for a policy ' of State control, with right of appeal | to the 1. C. C. 8incc the facts have | been broadcast, those intercsted in bus operation, as well as the general public, ha]\;o reacted favorably to the proposed | policy. | Adopted by Four More States. { During the year just closed four ad- | ditional States adopted bus regulatory laws, making a total of 44 States and the District of Columbia now regulating common carriers engaged in the trans- | portation of passengers by motor bus. | Consolidation of groups of small; bus lines into big companies and ac- | quisition by the larger companies of | small individually owned lines con- tinues to go forward at the same satis- ! factory pace noted in 1926. Railroads | | particularly have shown a marked de- | sire to expand in the bus field and have | | through purchase or operating arranges | RAPIDLY EXPANDING ments acquired control of many small independent companies serving their territory. Probably the most remarkable de- velopment of the year in bus trans- rtation has been in long-distance operations. Prior to 1927 the popular conception among transportation aue thorities was that bus operation had an_economic limitation in route mile- | age of between 50 and 75 miles. Dur- | ing the past year it has been shown | operation over route mileage In excess | of 75 or 100 miles is not only economi- | cally possible but is very profitable. | Operations between Detroit and | Chicago, Chicago and Cleveland, Cleve- land and_Pittsburgh, St. Louls and| Chicago, Boston and New York, and the Plckwick system of 1,331 miles be- tween Los ‘Angeles and St. Louls, with ane become regular, well patronized | nes. { Appreciated by Railroads. | Even the more conservative rall| carriers, such as the New York, New | Haven & Hartford, with its operation | between Boston and New York, a dis- | nce of 229 miles, and the Southern Pacific, with its operation between | Portland and Ashland, a distance of over 300 miles, have come to appreciat the advantages of long-distance bus transportation. The Great Northern Rallroad, one of the first rail carriers to concede the possibilities of bus trans- portation, has been engaged in long- distance operations between Minne- apolis and Duluth. Minn. and Port Arthur, Canada. over a considerable period of time. Other factors which have contributed to the tremendous growth of the motor bus in public favor are the changes and progress which have been made in bus | body and chassis design. These, how- ever. are more or less incidental to the economic development of the bus and are to be expected as the natural re- sults of the progress of the industry and the favorable reception with which this method of transportation s meeting A total of 6925 independents oper- ated 35000 busses over 255.000 route miles during 1927. In 1926 there wers 8.453 operators. 22,151 busses and they were_used to cover 198.374 te_mil STARTING LIGHTING IGNITION Miller-Dudley Co. 1716 14th St. N.W. North 1583 P 7 ‘The number of steam railrvads using busses, direct or through increased from 60 in 1926 to 62 in 1927, These lines used nearly 1,000 busses over 8,000 route miles. More than 100 electric rallway come panies using busses were added to the 1927 list. The number of companies operating busses in 1926 was 266 and there were 367 In the past year. Duzs- ing the year just closed 8,352 busses were used directly by the electric lines {that under certain circumstances bus or through subsidiaries. compared tc 7.284 in 1926. Demand for bus transportation dure ing the past year led to many changes in the industry, but all changes have been improvements and along the lines ! the three fundamentals befors enumerated — regulation. consolidation an. expansion. If these things con= tinue to control, it can be expected that 1927 ‘more than exceeded the develop- | connections for Chicago and Detroit, | within the next five years bus trans- portation will be on the same highly intensified and speclalized plane that our railroads occupy today. AUTOMOTIVE BRIEFS Norwood Bros., Inc., long-established ?n‘:fimril;lun%d»alers in Baltimore, have aken the Stutz agency in Washington. They have appuinted James Nolan, for- merly of the Hough Motor Co., as thetr local manager The: world's most important center of peppermint production is in Indiana and Michigan PARTS and SERVICE Qurisman-Chevrolet 610-616 H St. N.E. Lincoln 10200 House Service Built Motor Cars upon which we proudly place our name In them you will find the reflec- tion of our ideas of distinguished appearance, of thoroughgoing comfort, of dependable construc- tion, of fully satisfactory per- formance, and substantial worth. oot 6 Seatke “ GRAHAM-PAIGE COMPANY OF WASHINGTON, D. C. E. B. Frazier Motor Co. 518 10th St. N.E. Paige Jowett Motars Winchester, Virginia Factory Branch 1592 14th Street N.W. Robert A, Ralph 1000 Michigan Ave. N.E. Alexandria Motor Co, Aloxandria, Virginia Motor Sales & Service, Ine 33 New York Ave. N.Eo Paige Motor Sales Cumberland, Md. am”’ GRARAM-PAIL