Evening Star Newspaper, January 13, 1929, Page 64

™ D. C, JANUARY 13, THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, 1929—PART 4. MOTORISTS ASSAL “TOLL ROAD EFFORT A. A. A. President Declares| Private Projects Would Be Detrimental. The battle cry of freedom, as far n§ fhe highways of the United States are concerned. resounded in a vigorous dec- laration of national road policy issued from the headquarters of the American Automobile Association. ‘The statement, under signature of President Thomas P. Henry, was a re- pffirmation of the association’s policy to fight proposals to foist toll roads on | car owners of the country. Free highways, continuation of Gov- prmment and ate co-operation under fhe Federal aid policy, express highways Bs needed but under State control and owned by the people, must be the fun- damental conception underlying and motivating the road policy of the Na- tlon, Mr. Henry asserted. “The aggregation of private interests for charters for toll highways threatens all these principles,” he said. *It offers a particular threat to the Federal aid principle which has made possible our great interstate highways.” Urges States Stand Fast. Pointing out that at the moment at- torneys for corporations are planning to mppear before legislatures to secure charters, preliminary to buying rights- of-way for toll roads, the American Autoraobile Association president urged the States to stand fast by the free principle and warned them against any move that will tend to alienate the rights-of-way that are vital to the con- struction of thé roads of the future. He continued: “The States must not lose sight of | the fact that money to build new roads can be secured by the State itself at a much lower overhead cost than it can be secured by private interests, while at the same time, the capital floated by the State on sound financial principles is a bulwark rather than a competitive threat to the hunderds of millions of dollars of State road bonds now out- standing. “Many of the projects advanced for toll roads savor of real estate ventures, which would strike at the very fonda- tion of America’s investment of ten bil- lion dollars in highways in less than 10 years. Of this amount, the car ewners have contributed more than five bililon in taxes and have thereby gained a right to be heard when any road Ppolicy is involved. Different Conditions Abroad. “Widely advertised profits to be reaped from toll bridge franchises and the steady increase in the number of motor vehicles has led to this agitation for toll highways. There has also been advanced the success of toll roads abroad, but as a matter of fact, the development of such roads is negligible. ‘There are two such roads operated in Italy. Others of limited mileage are underway. ‘The conception of the TItalian ‘autostrada’ is primarily a road reserved for motor vehicle traffic, an outgrowth of the prevalence of slow- moving animal-drawn traffic and pedes- trians. Such conditions do not prevail in this country. “Likewise in England there are a few toll roads, but these are old and there is nothing to justify the belief that England will grant franchises for private toll roads on an extended scale. “While it is true that the highways are congested and there is a crying need for more roads, eighteenth century methods must not be employed to se- cure them.” *“President-elect Hoover said: ‘This administration has recognized the public necessity of Federal contribution to the creation of a definite system of modern, interstate highways. This program is far from completion and I stand for s continuanre.’ “Continvation of the Federal aid policy on an enlarged scale is the answer to those seeking to build private fortunes through toll roads. Organized motordom will oppose to the limit any interference with the principles of free highways.” PROGRAM TO BE PUSHED. Bix Dangerous Grade Crossings in Maryland Eliminated. Bpecisl Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, January 12—With six of the most dangerous grade crossings in the State eliminated during 1928, plans are under way to push the pro- gram during the present year, accord- ing to John N. Mackall, chief engineer of the State Roads Commission. All overhead crossings will be con- structed at Hyattsville on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and bids for the Red Mill overhead crossing on the Pennsylvania Railroad are expected Dnext week. Mackall said negotiations with the railroads have not reached a point where he is able to announce which DETROIT PRODUCES NEW SIGNAL DEVICE Michigan City Inaugurates Novel Method to Protect Pedestrians at Intersections. DETROIT (#).—“Beating the amber” long has been a hazard the motorist has gambled with in traffic, and the police, as a rule, have let the daring one suffer the consequences, either in traffic court or in collision costs. Not so with the pedestrian, however, for the police, in their safety frst campaign, have given thought to those afoot. A new signal device, designed to save the pedestrian from being caught in the center of the street as the traffic signal changes from green to red, has been installed at Wood- ward avenue and State street, Detroit's busiest intersection ‘The device, developed by Inspector William L. Potts, head of the signal division of the police department, warns pedestrians that they cannot get across the street before cross traffic will start to move. A round box, with a glass face on which is Jettered the warning in bl paint, constitutes the new device. Fou have been installed at the buslgct ner, the warning varying slig phraseology. One reads: “Pedesirains: STOP; Too Late to Start.” Another reads: “Pedestrains: STOP; You Can- not Get Across.” The signals showing on State street flash their warning nine seconds before the light starts traffic across Wood- ward avenue. The lights on Woodward, somewhat wider, are timed to give their warning 11 seconds before cross traffic moves. FRENCH AUTOISTS IN WAR ON INCREASED ROAD TAX Unite Against Proposed Levy of all Highway Assessments on Motor Drivers. PARIS (#)—The automobile as an economic benefit to the whole country is being defended against the proposals to saddle all road taxes on the million people who drive. Parliament 1s still loath to adopt the principle that cars are useful and nec- essary; there are many legislators who think the rich alone should drive and therefore they should pay. More money is needed for roads, and the present session of Parliament, seek- ing money, is thinking of raising car licenses again. ‘To meet this, road and automobile experts are showing that cars aren't the only vehicles that use the road, that a large proportion of them run but infrequently, and that a great part of the population profits by cars, the hotels, restaurants, factory workers and all the producers of raw materials that 80 to build the cars. Capital Punishment For Motor Thieves Under Old Statute Some genius down in Mexico has dug up an old statute under the terms of which a thief who appro- priates another's motor vehicle can be tried by court-martial, and if found guilty, be shot by a firing squad, according to the Automotive Daily News. Stealing automobiles in Mexico would appear to be almost &s dangerous as running for Presi- crossing will be dome first. A great deal of time is being spent to obtain satistactory locations ‘where the Tights of way can be acquired at a fair he pointed out. R dent. And the firing squad ides would suit exactly the late owner of & shiny new car the minute when h‘:fl discovers that it has been stolen. Golden Rule BRAKE SERVICE For Every Car Three Conven ient Lecations Do you know that in addition to saving you from $3.00 to $8.00 per set and a lot of valuable time on your brake relining, our prices pay for future adjustments? We DO service your brakes promptly at all times and guarantee AMBLER AUTOBESTOS brake lining, last at least a year. We try to be fair and reasonable, which we use, to always; have an open ear for any complaints, and only ask for th any work that is not entirely satisfactory to you. i DETROIT PROTECTS PEDESTRIANS MARILAND URGES TRAFFCPERLCURB Auto Accident Statistics Bu- reau Proposed by Com- missioners. Special Dispatch to The Star. !of an automobile accident statistics bu- reau as a step in formulating plans to curb the growing menace of the hit- is urged In a report to Gov. Ritchie by | the Maryland Motor Vehicles Accident | Commission. “With proper trial of cases and proper punishment of offenders, the number of hit-run accidents may be materially | reduced,” is the opinion of the com- | mission created by resolution of the Jast legislature, comprising Louis A. | Schillinger, chairman; A. H. Bishop, | W. G. Nolting, John N. Mackall and | George L. Radcliffe, “We believe that the traffic police, T jurisdiction, should be used for safety of the trav | BALTIMORE, January 12.—Creation | (and-run driver and other traffic perils, | public,” the report continues. “We be- lieve that reckless driving, which gen- erally escapes the attention of the police unless accompanied by an accident, is, | in fact, one of the greatest menaces to | travel over the streets and highways |of this State, and we believe that the | police should be trained and educated | to apprehend the reckless driver before he becomes involved in an accident. “As a certain percentage of acci- dents are caused by cars that are not in safe operating condition, your com- mission feels that a considerable num- ber of accidents could be prevented by requiring the testing of cars as to lights, brakes and steering gear at regu- lar periods, say semi-annually.” As a step to safety, passage of the “boulevard bill,” which ¥ould give traf- fic on certain main arteries right of way, is advocated, Adequate Study Urged. ‘The bureau of statistics recommended by the commission would be under the supervision of the State motor vehicle commissioner. ‘The report concludes: “Only through the study and classi- fication: of the causes of traffic acci- dents can knowledge be obtained for the adoption of adequate and intelli- gent corrective measures.” . Michigan Auto Races. Michigan will have from 10 to 12 auto race meetings this year. The two most important are planned for June 9 and September 7 over the fast mile dirt track at the fair grounds in Detroit. PARKING PROBLEM THORN TO AUTOIST More Space Must Be Had, Expert Says, Urging Big Garages. With automobiles at & high state of perfection, improvement in motor transportation must come about largely through the betterment of car facilities. Of the hindrances to motoring com- fort, one of the most irritating and prevalent is the absence of parking places, according to E. E. Duffy, high- way educational writer. Seventeen American cities have curb parking space for only six per cent of the 1,425,000 automobiles that enter the business districts daily, according {o a recent survey of the National Association of Building Owners and Managers. This proves what the forlorn motor- ist has long suspected. Further, it calls to mind that parking cannot be prop- erly banned unless some place is pre vided for cars. Many cities have estal lished parking areas at nominal fees on unoccupied land. Frequently private | land owners use vacant property to gnodl advantage by selling parking | privileges. | But all these steps, nmwu,h ‘Thelpful, are inadequate. If full use of the auto- mobile in downtown areas is to be made in both large and small cities, downtown garages must be bullt. ‘Typical of the garages that soon will be found in great numbers in downtown sections is the Hill Garage of Los Angeles. Ordinarily the 78 by 155-foot | building site would provide space for but six dozen or so cars. But with the erection of a 13-story garage this ground area permifs 850 motor owners to store their machines. ‘The first two floors of the Hill ga- rage are reacheéd by ramps, sloping runways, up which the cars are driven. ‘The upper floors are attained by special elevators equipped with turntables so that the cars may be taken from the elevators and shifted about in any of three directions without waste of space. Skyscraper garages are coming into style also, with several in service in larger cities. The Chicago Tower Building will have equipment for han- dling 1,100 cars. Fortunately, not all of the 25000 tenants of this building will drive to work in cars. One-third of all automobiles are in towns and cities of over 25,000 popula- tion. On Saturday night there are even more. At present there s neither street nor garage space for these cars near their destinations. Ga- rages must supplement parking plazas and wide streets. IN THE SPOTLIGHT AT THE NEW YORK SHOW THE NEW SUPERIOR With The New 4 *Finger-Tip Contrel”’ The greatest advance in driving con- venience sinco the self-starter. A single button in the center of the steering wheel controls all functions of starting the motor, sounding the horn and operating the lights. TTH all its many improvements, with its greater beauty, longer wheelbase, larger body, new ‘“Finger-Tip Control” an more powerful engine, the Superior Whippet Four Sedan is still the world’s lowest-priced four- door enclosed car. And the new Superior Wl:::re‘ t Six Sedan is the world’s lowest-pri four-door enclosed car to offer the im- portant advantages of seven-bearing higher compression FREIGHT RATES CUT ON CARS TO FLORIDA Coast Transportation Company An- nounces Reduction to Ports in Resort District. ‘The millions of dollars which Florida the past several years has spent on good roads has resulted in one of the finest highway systems in the United States. Practically all of Florida's cities and resorts are now accessible by good roads from the ports of Jackson- ville and Miami. In order to accommodate motorists in the North and West who desire to have use of their cars in Florida this Winter, one of the large coast transpor- tation companies has made a drastic reduction in its automobile rates. A small car, for instance, weighing 2,500 pounds when accompanied by pas- senger, can be shipped from either Philadelphia or Baltimore to.Jackson- ville for approximately $31.25. Charges are based on weight. Cars do not have to be crated for shipment. The owner merely drives to the pier and the machine is pushed aboard the steamer into its allotted space. Whippet WORLDS GREATEST SEDAN VALUES'! of line, its harmony of color, its longer bodies, its higher radiator and hood, its sweeping one-piece full crown fenders, make the new Superior Whippet the style triumph of master designers. The larger bodies give more spacious interiors, with broader seats and extra six-cylinder crankshaft, “Finger-Tip Control,” silent timing chain, full force-feed lubrication and Nelson type aluminum alloy invar- strut pistons. Never have Fours and light Sixes been distinguished by such beauty and style as are now winning nation-wide praise for the new Superior Whippet. Its grace dependsbility leg room. Other important factors in riding comfort are the oversize balloon tires, snubbers and longer springs both front and rear. In performance, the mnew Superior Whippet is speedier, livelier and more Long service will prove its and economical operation. See and examine the new Superior Whip= pet at your first opportunity! An ime mediate order will aid in obtaining early delivery. WILLYS-OVERLAND. INC. Toledo, Ohio: WHIPPET 4 SEPAN 595 760 Whippet § Coach, 8535; Coupe, 8635; Roadsler, $485; Touring, 8475; Commercisl Chassis, $365. Whippet 6 Coach, 8695, Sport DeLuze prices §. o. b. 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MOTOR CO. HAMILTON MOTOR €O, Oakton, Va. TENERAL SARADR WOODSON MOTOR CO, S ToWE HUNT DROTHERS COLLEGE PARK AUTO PLACE pring, Md, .. Warrenton, Va. | ~iiiin.. Sllver S| i Brandywine, Md. o Capitol Heights, Md. .. Collegs Park, M&. | .. A J. A. SWANN, JR., CO. Culpeper, Va. OAKTON MOTOR CO. C. LEO McKENNEY 711 G Street N.E. Alexandria, Va. Phone Lincoln 9703 Official A. A. A. Savings 427 K Street N.W, Phone Franklin 8208 CATLETT MOTOR CO. WAGGONER BROS. Catlett, Va. Vienna, Va. Phone West 2378 MONROE BALI;KIN