Evening Star Newspaper, September 23, 1928, Page 57

| SPEED NOT CAUSE OF MOST MISHAPS Violation of Right of Way| { Most Common Fatality Producer. BY THOMAS J. KEEFE, General Manager. American Motorists’ ‘Association The automobile is responsible for more accidents than any other one fac- tor. Highway accidents during 1927 took a toll of 26,618 lives, seriously in- Juring 798,700, and caused an econom- ical loss approximating $672.000,000. ‘The latter figure does not include minor damages to motor vehicles or accident insurance premiums. The number killed last year represents a loss in hu- man life of 72 people each day. As a general rule people are inclined to think of automobile accidents as caused by reckless driving, but figures compiled by the National Safety Board of the American Motorists’ Association for last year indicate that the principal accidents came from faults which are common to most drivers. Causes Listed. Full data is not obtainable for an analysis of all of the 26,618 deaths last year. but an analysis of more than 21,000 fatalities showed that the deaths were attributable to the following causes: Drivers who did not have the right of Exceeding’ the ‘speed limit . [ On the wrong side of the road Failed to signal Cutting left corners Cutting in . Backing : 3 Drove off the roadway Passing standing trolley Ran away without a dri Drove through safety zones. Passed on wrong side Passed on a curve or hill ‘There are few motorists who are not occasionally guilty of some of these acts, especially the first four. ‘The owner of an automobile is ex- pected to maintain his car in such con- dition that it may be operated with rea- sonable safety. Poor brakes, improper lights and defective. steering apparatus, for instance, imperil the safety of not only the driver but the fellow passen- gers, other motorists and pedestrians. A driver is expected at all times to maintain and operate his car so as not to endanger the lives and property of others. Failure to exercise reasonable care constitutes negligence. An indi- vidual sustaining damage through the negligence of another is entitled to damages against the wrongdoer. The basis of negligence may be either in the way the automobile is operated or the manner in which it was maintained. Owner Responsible. ‘The owner of the automobile may be responsible for any negligence resuiting from an individual driving the car with his permission. In some States the owner is required to exercise due care in ascertaining the ability of any indi- vidual he permits to operate his car. ‘The foregoing remarks apply only to fatal accidents. They are equally ap- licable to non-fatal accidents. The atter may result in serious permanent injury. The injured may be prevented from ever engaging in gainfyl occupa- tion. He may have dependents. Dis- figurements, especially in the case of oung unmarried women, are particu- rly distressing and costly. Few individuals or business organiza- tions are prepared financially to meet the demands of these damage claims. ‘The need for protection has created a demand for insurance, but insurance in itself is not sufficient. The individual must not consider that with the pur- chase of insurance he has performed his full duty. He must so conduct him- self in his maintenance and operation of his car that accidents resulting from negligence be negligible. It can be done and it should be done as the voluntary act of the owner and operator as & decent citizen rather than because of the fear of consequences, - Secret of Auto Care. ‘The secret of keeping an automobile in good order can be expressed in one sentence—“Don’t forget that your auto- mobile 15 a piece of machinery and should be systematically adjusted, oiled and greased.” o ‘Thirteen healthy chicks were hatched from 12 eggs by a hen in Lumphanan, Scotland, recently. AUTOMOTIVE BRIEFS The Peerless Motor Co.'s Washington branch, under managership of Edgar L. Vonieff, has been sold to a corporation to be known as the South East Motor Corporation, with R. Bruce Livie as president. Mr. Livie has been asso- clated with the automotive industry in Washington and vicinity for a number of years, He was formerly general manager of the Peerless Motor Co.'s branches in both Baltimore and Wash- ington, general manager of the Trew Motor Co. and an official in the Hen- derson Motor Co. ‘The General Tire Co., Inc., of Wash- ington, with W. E. Fouse as president and Charles J. Crocker as manager and treasurer, has taken over the distribu- tion of General tires in Washington from Little & Co. It will do business at Thirteenth and I streets northwest, the old location of Little & Co. J. T. Powell, local manager of Du- rant Motor Co., Inc., formerly known as the Star Motor Co. of Virginia, Inc, announces the removal of the sales and service headquarters from 1358 Florida avenue northeast to quarters at 1731 Fourteenth street northwest. AUTUMN PRESENTS LURE TO MOTORISTS Washington Car Owners Entering Upon Charming Mellow-Tinted Season Which Precedes Winter. ‘Washington car owners now are en- tering the season when motoring is more pleasant and alluring than at any other time of the year. Only the owner of an automobile can understand the full glory of these mellow-tinted months which precede the 26 | grimmer and more forbidding days of Winter and the view is expressed by Rudolph Jose, pioneer local motorist and automobile dealer, that Washington and its environs offer a remarkably at- tractive locale in which to enjoy the beauty of this season. “The glorious days of Autumn have an especial allure for the Washington motorist who for vears past has eagerly awaited the coming of this season to travel again the numerous roads and mnl\s which become so strikingly beau- ul. “Take, for instance, the inter-twining roads of Rock Creek Park. Where is there a more gorgeous sight than that afforded there, with leaves turning and assuming innumerable tints; with sea- sonal shrubbery abloom, and with the air a veritable tonic in its invigorating effects? To the car owner the whole panorama of the park may be seen in one joyous afternoon.” Almost every one has his favorite spot in or about the city, Mr. Jose points out, adding that one of the most pop- ular of all drives is along the river on the Maryland side. “Here,” Mr. Jose says, “is a scene of real majesty. The hilisides on the Vir- ginia side in the Autumn become a mass of color—a breath-taking min- gling of flaming reds, golden browns, de- lightful yellows and brilllant greens. And then there is the broad river be- tween to complete a picture to which only a master could do full justice.” No matter in which direction the motorist strikes, Mr. Jose points out, he is certain to find vistas made still more beautiful by the magic touch of A e Natio s ational Capital is ideally situ- ated with respect to scenery which takes on added glory at this time of year, and all the motor owner needs to do is use his car to bring its beauty before him and his family,” Mr. Jose con- cludes. . ‘Women of Scotland are wearing h: :.rh'l;med with flowers made !mn‘zlsbee.cfi uts. SEE M For YOUR STAR SERYICE STATION 12th and O A Block Bis.. the Golden Rule BRAKE SERVICE For Every Car When the brakes on your car need attention, come to 427 K St. :\;“Wl;:‘ and get acquainted with a type of service you are not familiar The AUTO BRAKE SERVICE ington specializing on automobile brakes. We origina ‘we advertise, which are the lowest type of service we render. CO. was the first concern in Wash- ted the flat rates in Washington consistent with the Our prices are not just a relining charge, but cover all future adjustments of your brakes as long as the lining lasts. ‘We use only Keasby & Mattison Co’s AMBLER AUTOBESTOS brown brake lining, which they claim to be the highest-grade brake lining in the world. Owning as they do the Bell Mines in Canada, which produce the world’s finest long-fiber chrisotile asbestos; their own great factories and extensive chemical works, there is every reason why Keasby & Mattison should be a quality brake lining inferior to none. able to give the automobile owner It is a chemically treated woven lining free from rubber or asphalt impregnations, which burn or become glazed from frictional heat. For these reasons we feel safe in guaranteeing AMBLER AUTO- BESTOS brake lining to give at least a year of satisfactory service. Dodze Trupmobile (1) upmobile” ()" mobile (6 Jordan Relining Prices for Cleveland. e} ST700 Equally Low Prices on Studebaker Willys-Knight 4-WHEEL BRAK Other Cars Not Listed *Special fiber lining for Nash front shoes. DRUM TRUING—$1.00 Per Inch of Width of Brake Drums Our TRU-DRUM lathe. the only one of its kind in the District of Columbia, removes the high spots and cuts them at a fraction of cost_of new e run up considerable mileage really need this service. from your brake drums and recopditions drums. The majority of cars'having Genuine Ford LABOR AND MATERIAL 427 Auto Official Bands, $1.60 15-Minute Service K St. N.W. Brake Service Co. Phone Franklin 8208 Frank P. Leach, Prop. Savings A new idea that is suecessful of imitators. vlace on K STREET. OURS is nof To et real brake sert is always handicapped by an army ice be SURE you get in the RIGHT a TIRE SHOP. “THE SUXNDAY BTAR, WASHINGTOX, D. €. SEPTEMBER 23, 1928—PART 4. GLOUCESTER GROUP TOVISIT SHRINES Women Organize Pilgrimage to Historical Virginia Spots. One of the most interesting trips of- ered to the motoring public in recent years is the pilgrimage next Wednes- dav being organized by the women of Gloucester, Va. to a number of the beautiful old homes and churches lo- cated in that section. Famous for gen- erations for their architectural beauty, wonderful settings and valuable an- tiques, the estates of Gloucester County have been to some extent isolated on |account of bad roads. Moreover, as the private homes of wealthy people, they are usually closed to the general public. Now with the recent opening of the new concrete road to Gloucester Court House, they have becoxe acces- sible and for this one day their doors have been thrown open. ‘Where do I go and what shall I do 6 on the Gloucester pilgrimage?” is the query being asked daily at the Tour- ing Bureau of the Tidewater Automo- bile Association, and an inquiry to those arranging the day's program brought from the kindly chatelaine of famous Goshen the information that bureaus will be maintained for the day soth at the Gloucester side of the York- town-Gloucester Ferry and also at Gloucester Court House, where tickets may be purchased and full directions will be given for visiting the varlous homes and churches. To Be Open All Day. The tickets, costing $1, for the ben- efit of the Ware Church, will admit visitors to all the houses on the pil- grimage and as all will be open all day there will not be the congestion and :rowding sometimes experienced on such visits to famous places. Among the points of interest will be Abingdon Church, founded in 1690 and built after a plan of Sir Christo- pher Wren's; Goshen, home of the Per- rin family for generations, about 150 years old and furnished with antiques; Ailville, noted for its beautiful circu- lar hall and staircase and wonderful collection of old and rare bottles; El- mington, with its rare collection of an- tiques; Toddsbury. built about 1658 and supposed to be the scene of Herger- sheim’s “Balasand,” and War Church. ‘The grounds of White Marsh, noted for its wonderful trees, and Warner Hall's grounds and graveyard, where the grandparents of George Washington are buried and where he often visited as a | young man, will be open. The beginning of the pilgrimage is reached by motorists from Tidewater Virginia by the concrete road to York- town, ferry from there to Gloucester Point (running every half hour, on the hour and on the half) and concrete road from the point to the Court House. For visitors from Richmond, Route No. 39 to Lee Hall, then left on the road to Yorktown is the route, and those from points farther north may either come down the Tidewater Trail through Tap- pahannock, or follow the longer but all paved route through Richmond to Lee Hall and Yorktown. Lunch will be served by the Wom- en’s Club of Gloucester County at its interesting club building, formerly Long Branch Ordinary, built in 1727, and an exceptionally interesting day will be the good fortune of those making the trip. In the event of bad weather, the pilgrimage will be made on the next fine day following, and any further in- formation desired will gladly be fur- nished by the Tidewater Automobile Association of Virginia. Replace Radiator Hose. Deterioration of the inside of radiator hose connections frequently causes broken edges and curling inward which obstruct water circulation, thereby causing motor to overheat. New radiator hose to replace that which is worn and rotted is definitely a good investment. EUROPEANS VEER TOSHALLER AR “Baby” Type and “Family” Model Are Achieving Large Sales. European cars that are achieving the largest sales fall into three main types —the “baby” four-cylinder car of 7 to 9 horsepower (Royal Automobile Club rating) the “family” four-cylinder car of 12 to 14 horsepower, and the light six-cylinder car of 15 to 20 horsepower —according to Maurice Platt, an Eng- lish engineer, writing in the S. A. E. Journal for September. The diminutive “baby” cars owe their popularity to low tost of purchase, tax and upkeep, the facility with which they can be driven and parked in towns, and to ease of maintenance, since the European car owner does a great deal of maintenance work himself. These cars usually accommodate four persons and are extremely durable in hard serv- ice. The cylinders are of about 2's inches bore and 3 inches stroke. An orthodox three-speed transmission is provided. The price ranges from $660 to $975. Family Model Popular. ’ The family-type four cylinder car, which is bought in great numbers by men with incomes of about $2,500 a year. sells for $975 to $1,220 in the salon or closed model, although there are plenty that are priced higher because of distinctive appearance and better quality. Quantity production of light six- cylinder models is a _comparatively re- cent development in Europe, but almost all leading makers are turning them out. In many cases the same chassis is used for both a 14-horsepower four- cylinder model and a 16-horsepower light six. The usual run of prices is $1,460 to $2,685. There are also many entirely new designs in this class, and opinion is fairly equally divided between providing three-speed and four-speed transmissions. In addition to the foregoing classes there are several other types, of which the sports car is the more numerous. And there are many large and expen- sive cars, also ranging in size up to the 12-cylinder model and in price up to $12,000. All-Steel Bodies Used. All-steel bodies are being turned out by a few large producers, but compos- ite bodies paneled with steel or alum- inum and finished with cellulose or cov- ered with fabric are most popular. The NOW ON EXHIBITION NEW MODELS BY DURANT The Greatest Value in a Low Priced Four 20 THE NEW DURANT FOUR is more beautiful in line and color, more complete and refined in equipment, more sensational in performance, and unbelievably quiet in body construction and mechanical operation —without any increase in price. The Most Luxurious Low Priced Six > THE NEW DURANT SIX CYLINDER Series “60” offers you a Longer Wheelbase, a more perfectly balanced motor, a more beautiful body, more complete equipment, a7 lower prices. They Climax a Brilliant Season’s Offerings COME AND SEE THEM s STEGERS MOTORS 45 Maryland Ave. N.E. CHRISWELL MOTOR CO. 1353 Kenyon St. N.W. Factory Branch DURANT MOTOR CO., Inc. 1731 Fourteenth St. N.W. DEL RAY MOTOR CO. Del Ray, Va. BEATTY BROS. Marshall, Va. 7 fashion ,for flexible fabric bodies has passed its zenith on the continent and the crest of the wave has been reached in Englahd, asserts Mr. Platt. A number of builders, however, have adopted the feature of this type that the floor is a separate unit from the body, which carries no weight and is merely a shell to protect the occupants. In the new line of development, the rigid shell has a three-point mounting on the chassis frame and is covered with imitatioin leather fabric. The European practice of extending the body sides and doors down below and outside the frame is growing be- cause it gives the close-to-the-ground appearance that is fashionable. Running boards are b liscarded by some makers who fit concealed steps beneath the doors and support the fend- ers on some part attached to the axle. Open Air Models. Although the four-door salon or sedan type is by far the most popular body style, the open air or sunshine salon in which part or all of the top can be folded down is much in favor this year. Independently sprung front-wheels and front-wheel drive are recent develop- ments that are attracting much atten- tion, but have not been widely adopted. S The sale of gasoline on Sunday Is a misdemeanor in Georgia under the present law, according to a ruling just announced by T. R. Gress, assistant at- torney general of the Stats IRVING T. DONOHOE MOTOR COMPANY 1623 L St. N.W. LOUDOUN GARAGE Leesburg, Va.