Evening Star Newspaper, January 27, 1929, Page 104

14 “HORSE-AGE™ AUTO SPEED LAWS HIT Safety Stressed as Major Point, With Plea for Flex- ible State Limits. In the field of individual transpor- tation. the motor car has played an important part in breaking down the barriers of time and distance. During the past decade the improvements made in motor car construction have led to a steady increase in the potential speed at which they are capable of traveling, according to P. G. Hoffman, vice pres- ident of the Studebaker Corporation. “This increase in speed has made the motor car a far more useful means of transportation. But it has, at the same time, made the motor car poten- tially a more dangerous element in the problem of highway safety. The con- flict presented by these two factors makes it necessary to look at the prob- lem of highway safety from a new point of view. “With few exceptions, safety and speed regulations are still in the horse and buggy era: A tabulation of traffic laws in the various States compiled last year. by the American Automobile Association in conjunction with the National Automobile Chamber of Com- merce illustrates this very clearly. 20-Mile Limit in One State. “One State sets its speed limit for the ‘open country’ at 20 miles per hour. Two other States have maximum speed limits of 25 miles an hour, and five do not permit- the motorist to travel in excess of 30 miles an hour. “A survey of the history of trans- portation will reveal that every new mode of travel has been subject to arbitrary regulation and restriction. It took years for the railroads to convince legislative bodies that passenger trains might be operated safely with speed. “Now the crack limiteds forge through the night at 60 and 70 miles an hour while pasengers sleep as free from worry as_they would in their own homes. If they think at all of the fears of their forefathers, it is with a smile. “Thé railroads have proved that un- der proper conditions both speed and | safety can be attained. “Speed with safety is the foundation of the utility of fast railroad trans- portation. Speed with safety can be attained by the motor car. “Speed in itself is not a dangerous thing. Traffic and safety experts know that speed per se is not the source of danger it is popularly supposed to be. “It is not speed alone, but speed in combination with other factors, that makes acidents. Fifty miles an hour on the open road in the country may be safer than 25 miles an hour in crowded city traffic. ‘Any well constructed car built dur- | 5 ing the past yéar or two is safer at 50 miles an hour under the proper con- ditions than cars of similar class were 15 years ago at 30 miles an hour. As far ;s the wn:tmcuon of the motor car is concerned, every precaution has breen t?kten !? \nsurle. :ihelhixhest factor of safety for relatively high-speed operation. % o “Even though speed in itself does not necessarily create hazards, no one can deny that there is real danger in speed Plus unfavorable conditions. High speed at intersections, in turning corners, in passing pedestrians or pass| other traffic in the face of on-eomxl:: trafiic from the other direction is a Teal ™“Drivers who_ha “Drivers ve personal char- :4;:1;1:;11‘.! ‘:hxch ml.kew'.hem unsafe TS at any spe#d should be barred from'the road. wonld ap- ply to the xicated ‘driver and to :l!llo:iex;c: ha.dor lhuppednu by x:zyskml defects eal menace to all tnm.-u v “Motor vehicles in such poor condi- tion that they cannot be opep?:ted safe- ly over the highways at even a reason- able speed should also be barred. A « THE s SUNDAY +STAR A. A. A. MEMBERSHIP REACHES |ANNUAL AUTO SHOW NEW RECORD AT END OF 1928 Motor Clubs Are Shaping Into Agencies of World Travel. 8,000 Official Emergency Service Stations Are Designated. BY ERNEST N. SMITH, General Manager, American Automobile Association. On December 31, 1928, the number of motor clubs affiliated with the Ameri- can Automobile Association throughout the United States, Canada and Uncle Sam’s insular possessions had reached a new high-water mark of 1,065. The roll call of clubs as of December 31, 1927, stood at 950. . Thus it will be seen that in the 12 months’ period 115 new A. A. A. motor clubs were established in as many com- munities along the highways of travel. This growth in motor club organiza- tion meant more than the mere pro- viding of modern automobile and tour- ing services to these communities. It meant the strengthening of the entire A. A. A. service chain, since many of the newly created units constitute much- needed links at pivotal and strategic ints. It also reflected in striking ashion a growing demand on the part of the car-owning public for these vital service agencies. Measures Up to Tests. ‘The test of the vitality of the motor club movement, however, is not to be found either in the number of clubs or in the number of members, but, rather, in the character and the quality of the service they give and in the extent to which they respond to the needs of this motor age and meet the demands of the public. There were several outstanding developments in 1928 that afforded con- clusive proof that the A. A. A. motor club is measuring up to this test. Let me attempt a brief summarization of these developments. We all realize that the touring and travel horizon of the average American is constantly expanding. His touring objective today, and more so tomorrow, is just where his fancy and his pocket- book takes him. More and more the world is becoming his vamtion play- ground. Every modern development tends to accelerate this widening of horizons. In response to this, our motor clubs have ceased to be merely local or even national agencies. Thesy are fast shaézing themselves into agenci of world travel, handling ®ractically all the modern travel problems of the member from ocean or even air trans- portation to that of circulation of his car abroad and the providing of motor- ing services for him in foreign lands. I;e u.h‘t‘hcreron, significant that one of Service is the watchword of Ameri- can business today. There is no sub- stitute for quality and . de ility service. The truth of. is par- ticularly apparent in the matter of travel, where poor or inaccurate infor- mation may spoil the vacation to which t] !ml'lfl'hn;ulefly looked forward for mon and perhaps years. Our motor clubs have met. this demand placing their services ol Tor. and 1o e e TBoston- Bfiato, T, an same in alo, Chicago and San Francisco~-where: in fact, the member’s may take him. - As a result of the public recognition and demand for this brand of quality service, 96 per cent of the active motor clubs in the United:States today are now operating under the A. A. A. emblem. ' Our motor clubs are fully alive to the importance of the principle that any institution serving the public must constantly expand and ect its facil- vigorous and sustained campaign in an: community “ which would !o’r“; ever; g‘c’ie;% ‘;e ecnm:tlt‘r: reasonably ef- rakes woul ve more safe effect than a campa| w , ap- to ‘drive safely.’ “Legislation and enforcement should concern itself not so much with speed as with those acts of a driver Which make speed dangerous. Let us stop arresting the mptorist who is do- ing a sensible 45 miles an hour on fast road in the open country and co cznmrtf’s:nmdrlvers like the’ short-c ner aj town who ma; only 15. 7, be sty “If the motor car is tocontinue to serve as a useful transportation medium, if the automobile owner is to continue to profit by advances made in motor area of usefulness, there must inevitably be a readjustment of outworn conception of speed. b Michigan Abolishes Speed Law. “Michigan has led the way in this attitude by abolishin, fixed lmed limit. Several Eufigrn. States ve toward fixed speed 3 ing their highways safer by enforcing safe driving rather than by concentrat- ll?mgltm a virtually unenforceable speed “Michigan’s law does not allow mo- Serists to drive as fast as their cars WAl go, as might be supposed. On the gntrary, it states: ‘No person shall ive a motor vehicle upon & highway & greater speed than will re him bring it to a stop within the assured @lear distance ahead.’ “In that one phrase, ‘within the as- §:€! t:lel“;‘1 dl:nt:’nu ahead,” lief the sensible progressive solution the problem of speed and highway @fety legislation. “The problem of speed on the high- Ways is not a question of how fast you e going, but how fast you can stop. e Tule defining a driver's legal speed by his ability to stop ‘within the as- sured clear distance ahead’ is obviously @ finer and more flexible piece of legis- Jation than a fixed speed limit of 30 or #5 miles an_hour. “The Michigan law ‘recognizes that gpeed in itself is not dangerous. It does take into consideration, however, $he fact that speed combined with nare ow or slippery pavement, sharp turns, ills, crowded traffic and other fac- tors constitutes not only dangerous but geckless driving. The new law provides for these contingencies in very definite fashion. It states that an automobile shall be driven ‘at a careful and rudent speed not greater nor less than s reasonable and proper having due gegard to the traffic, surface and width of ths highway and of &ny other con- dition then existing.’ “Under the provisions of the Mich- %gan code 20 miles an hour may be evidence of reckless driving if traffic is erowded and streets are slippery. On $he other hand, a perfectly clear high- way with no intersections, conflicting traffic or sharp curves permits a mo- orist to speed along in perfect safety without the consciousness that he is a Jawbreaker. “Thus, instead of a fixed speed limit, ®icnigan imposes on every driver the pecessity of keeping his car under safe eontrol whatever the conditions of ravel may be. It recogrizes the im- rtance of relative speed rather than a fixed 20 or 30 miles per hour in the !xoms\on that a driver must always be ble to stop within the ‘assured clear distance ahead’ If there are cars ahead, he must be able to stop in the Tt ey R taki &‘;‘,fl%wf“% 'y have en Inciple heart- onstrated in the was amply demc and perfection of old services and the lax of new ones in 1928. In addition to all this, tx;he.mwr clubs in the past 12 months have ac- camglkhed much to consolidate their posil as semi-public utilities, which are now spending a large part of their resources in the promotion of civic enterprises and community wel- fare in general. Service Underlying Purpose. As I have pointed out, service has been and continues the underlying pur- pose of motor club work. We aim not o‘xflr to band motorists together for {'nl are, it numbering Clate 13 efert 15 ostoring rocs oban slon, fair taxation and constructive leg- isiation, but also those who recognize the ation as one which offers a of ‘personal service that is in- valuable from the standpoint of all who want to get the maximum benefit and pleasure out of car ownership, To carry into effect its service ob- Jective, the American Automobile As- soclation has designated 8,000 official emergency service stations. They com- prise about 15 per cent of the number in the entire country, and are selected after careful investigation of their standing and equipment. These tre- mendous service facilities are placed without charge at the disposal of the host of motorists carrying the Ameri- can Automobile Association emblem. To others they are available at a silght charge, which is always small in com- parison to the value and dependability of the facilities offered. Because we believe firmly in giving our membership service when and where they need it most; there has been a great deal of thought given to the expansion of the emergency road service. Al- ways there has been the trend toward broader service and a standardization of these services on a Nation-wide scale. It is the demand for this par- ticular service by the motor cavalcade of ihe Nation that has led scores of cities in the last 12 months to give the A. A. A. the first place in their telephone books. . But it is not only when he is in trouble that the club stands ready to aid him, though he may appreciate it sincerely then. When car is run- ning in fine shape and a distant coun- try calls to him in ajluring fashion, he has his motor club's touring and travel information service to which he may g0 for advice about the trip. And we do not consider our job completed when we have handed the member a map or a tour book. This is only the point at which the service begins.” We are pre- pared, in addition, to tell him what he can or should see while on his tour— the points of scenic, historic or recrea- tional interest. Alternate routes are suggested. In short, we endeavor to 80 beyond the mere indication of the roads and their condition and to offer a real travel service. Detour Map Revised. If highways are closed or in process | Col of repair, the A. A. A. club has at hand iis detour map, revised at regular in- wervals, and it is the only agency that is ‘in a position to know at all times de- tours and their condition, whether travel is being maintained or whether it is hecessary to take a round-about route. And road conditions change so rapidly that we reissue these and many other glistance separating him from the near- est, If there are children in the road, he must be able to stop before reach- ing them. If hills or curves are ahead, he must be able to stop within the limit' of his vision, for he cannot be sure that the road is clear beyond. And if the road is slippery, he-must drive more slowly because it may take him longer o stop.” 7 maps every two weeks. Through its legal service the A. A. A. seeks to protect its members from such injustices as speed traps and similar imposition by public officials. It ad- vises the member what his legal rights are and aids him when he seeks to have them respected. But with the extension of the motor- ist's travels to the entire world, the v ER) T N. SMITH. American Automobile Association has prepared to meet the demand for safe- guarding the journeys of its member- ship to foreign lands. During the year just ended there was a tremendous in- crease in tourist travel and a remark- able advance in the number who took their automobiles with them to see the countries beyond the seas. Between 6,000 and 7,000 cars were . transported to _these distant touring grounds. From the time an A. A. A. member begins to plan his trip abroad by motor car until he has reached home again, his numerous needs are cared for by the association’s foreign department. Scattered throughout Europe are 23 port agents who meet all A, A. A. mem- bers on notification from Washington, which is the 'clearing house for the member’s local club. They are prepared to assist them through the customs and start them on their journey. Agreements With 26 Countries. ‘The association has agreements with 26 countries for the issuance of trip- tyques, which are customs passports for cars. It is the American member of the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme, composed of t)ae lemtz‘l:mt u'lnu{tllngl cluh: e world and constituting the larges! =2 of bemo%cruu—oome 4,000,000—on the globe. In co-opera- tion with the A. I. T., as it is called, the American Automobile Association pub- lishes & conversation manual in six lan- es to expedite further the travels g;x li%s members in foreign countries. ‘To add to the pleasure of those mem- bers who see Europe in their own auto- mobiles, the A. A. A. publishes the only standard booklet on motoring abroad. ‘This is revised yearly and explains the documents necessary for travel from one country to another, the customs duties to be paid, traffic rules of every Euro- pean country, and, in addition to this information, the booklet contains articles dealing with the attractions of the vari- ous countries which the traveler should see. These articles are written by lead- ing authorities on the points of interest in the countries ‘about which they write. As a further expansion of its foreign service, the American Automobile Asso- ciation is giving special attention to traffic into Cuba. The United States Government at the request of the association , amended the customs laws, so that the 90-day reciprocity formerly extended only to Canada M has been granted to all the gov- iments of the world. In return, Presi- dent Machado of Cuba has extended the same reciprocity to American motorists. Cuban Privileges Obtained. Because of the successful use of its good offices, the A. A. A. has made it for the American motorist: ta. visit Cuba with his car without pllda bond and with his own license p! and operator’s permit and to remain there 90 days. Motor tourist travel to Cuba is only beginning, but the A. A. A. is equipping itself to offer the same comprehensive seryjce to the members who visit that neighboring_country as it does for the traveler in Europe. Here again the A. A. A. is living up to its standard of service when and Wwhere the motorist most needs it. It is not content to leave him at the pler him when his car swerves from Only le and in any direction motorist. The American Automobile 1o its pledge. Official Says “Motor _ Consoious- Sionms any more than it will the roend in the next county. by extending its activities wherever can d motordom live up to its promise of complete service for the Association has very definitely given this promise and it is determined to live up R e R U. §. AUTO EXPORT INCREASES RAPIBLY nom” Has'Gripped Foreign Lands. In foreign lands the increasing inter- est in motor cars is rapidiy developing & growing market for' American-made automiobiles in the quality fleld, accord- ing to Lynn McNaughton, vice president of the Motor Car- Co. In many parts of the world the de- velopment of an automobile conscious- ness is taking place as it did in the United States practically 20 years 3 Better Dbusiness conditions “and the building of automobile roads abroad are Tor maror Tany. “oi o e market . le fo an the American manufacturers l:x’qn‘bene- gflg by the change which is taking For many years in the past the price of exPoma American cars was a barrier to a large development of the industry’s export business. But the growth abroad of this automobile consciousness and the high development of American manufacturing methods have combined to surmount the price barrier, The quality and intrinsic worth of Ameri- can-made cars in comparison with others, even with the price added, put American manufacturers in a position m{ec their share of this business. n Europe, South America, Australia and many other sections, the automo- bile era is in about the same phase as it was here 20 years ago. The desire to own cars and to travel is becoming paramount. . COMMISSIONER OPPOSES ABOLISHING OF TAGS Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, January 26.—Police Commissioner Charles D. Gaither let it be known that he is opposed to a bill, now pending in the Maryland Legisla- ture, which would abolish the use of parking tags. Commissioner Gaither explained that the use of the tag system for summon- ing offending motorists to the Trafc urt was adopted for the motorists’ own convenience. If the tags were abolished, he ex- plained, the policeman would have to seek out the driver of the offending car or wait by his machine until the driver came to get in it Then, the commissioner continued, the policeman would have to take vhe offender at once to a police station or the Traffic Court, where the defendant would be required to deposit collateral. ‘The bill was introduced in the House of Delegates by a Baltimore delegate, He said, in explaining the purpose of his bill, that some motorists now steal tags from other cars and put them on their own machines on the theory that a machine already tag will not be tagged again by the police. ’ OPENS IN CHICAGO Picturesque National Exhibit Viewed by Vast Throng—Newest Motor Creations on Display. Special Dispatch to The Star. CHICAGO, January 26.—Amid the| most original and picturesque setting that ever characterized a national automobile show, the twenty-ninth annual évent opened here today at the Coliseum. Long before the scores of entrances admitted the public, several thousand people waite outside, eager and anxious to get their first glimpse of the newest motor car creations as well as the many exhibits of accessorles and shop equipment. They had heard much about the latest developments in auto- motive engineering. ey knew in a general way that the 1929 edition cars possess more style and comfort, better performance and greater value for the money than any of their predecessors. Knowing all these things, many thousands visited the show to see just how and why. A tabulation of the open- ing day's attendance figures is certain to show a new record, and officials of the big event, including Manager S, A. Miles, state that this means the smash- ing of all previous marks throughout the show, which will close next Satur- day. The crowds the first day were mostly Chicagoans, but beginning Monday a great invasion from throughout the central section as well as all points of the compass to the West and South will begin. They are coming, in fact, by the hundreds and thousands from every State in the country, and all are intent upon paying tribute at the shrine of the automobile. On the main floor of the Coliseum and in the north and south.halls are seen the 1020 offerings of motor car manufacturers. The mezzanine floor is the scene of almost countless dis- plays of accessories and shop equipment. WASHINGTON, D. C, JANUARY 27, 1929—PART 8.' TWO MEMBERS OF THE HUDSON-ESSEX 1929 LINES Upper: Greater Hudson Victoria. Lower: Essex Challenger Coupe. Jor Economical Transportation N )/ CHEVROLET =il Old Turkish Cabby Sits Idle as Taxis Roar in Stamboul CONSTANTINOPLE (#).—What taxis have done to horse cabs is dra- matically testified to by the dean of Turkish cabbies, 77-year-old Salih Agha. When, 44 years ago, the old veteran proudly rattled his first pas- senger over the cobblestones of Stam- boul, his shiny black carriage was one of 1,500. Today only 80 cabs are left in Con- stantinople, and the old cabby is one of many who sit in the coffee houses and watch the automobiles whizz past. Turkey now counts 9,000 motor cars in all, 3.000 of which were imported during the last year, all but 600 of the lsnt!:r being imported from the United tates. | The joy-rider has no greater moral | right to the road than the juvenile ball- | player, Still “conveniently located on 14th street” and the same set slogan of k “Satisfaction Plus” from smiling sales and service | e ¢ Outstanding Chevrolet of Chevrolet History - -a Jix in the price range of the four] represents Never has a new motor car come to the public more thoroughly proved in every detail than The Outstanding Chevrolet of Chevrolet History. Yearsago, the ChevroletMotor Company designed and built its first experimental six-cylinder motor. This far-sighted step was taken because Chevrolet engi- neers knew that the six-cylinder motor is inherently the most perfectly balanced motor—the ideal power plant to meet the growing public demand for greater reserve power, fastergetawayand, above all—smooth, quiet performance. During the last four years; over a hun- dred six-cylinder motors—representing every conceivable type—were built by 'Cheévrolet engineers and tested on the General Motors Proving Ground. This constituted one of the greatest series of tests ever conducted in connection with the ' development of any, automobile. From time to time, the experimental models were torn down for inspection, redesign and further testing until the present motor was developed and pro- nounced correct. While the new six-cylinder motor was in process of development, other Chev- rolet engineers were perfecting other parts of the chassis. Springs were designed under the supervision of a group of metallurgical specialists. Scores of frames were built and tested to achieve the greatest possible strength; ruggedness and rigidity. Wheels, axles, brakes, steering mechanism—all were developed concurrently with the motor years of Development and over a Million miles of Testing so that the entire chassis represents a finished example of balanced design. And during this time another great auto- motive organization—the Fisher Body Corporation—was devoting its gigantic resources to the creation of beautiful new bodies to match the new Chevrolet chassis. Fisher engineers were develop- ing those features of strength and rugged- ‘ness that assure long life, safety and freedom from vibration and drumming. As a result, The Outstanding Chevrolet offers an order of well-balanced excel- lencethatisextraordinaryinalow-priced automobile. From every standpoint— _ power; speed, smoothness; acceleration and quietness—its performance is truly amazing. Its handling ease and road- ability are exceptional. Its economy of operation is so great that it delivers better than 20 miles to the gallon of gasoline. And its outstanding beauty; smartness and luxury are exciting wide spread admiration. You owe it to yourself to come in and inspect this remarkable new six cyline der car—it represents the outstanding achievement of three great automotive organizations—General Motors, Fisher Body and Chevrolet. coacH’'595 Rosduee 10110°525 DS 0725 A 595 Sedas Deltvery « T 2400 135 Ton Chanie *545 The Sport sl T Chele 3650 All prices {. o. b. Fline, Mich. Come in and See these Sensational New Cars — Now on Display See the New Chevrolet Six at the Automobile Shew or at Your Nearest Chevrolet Dealer WOLFE MOTOR CO. Silver Spring, Md. OURISMAN CHEVROLET SALES CO. 610 H St. N.E. 13th St. & Good Hope Rd. S.E. Anacostia, D. C. BARRY-PATE MOTOR CO. 1218 Connecticut Ave. 2525 Sherman Avs. M. AL 3 % A [ Q R. L. TAYLOR MOTOR CO. 14th and T Sts. N.W. COALE SANSBURY CHEVROLET SALES Upper Marlboro, Md. CAMP SPRINGS GARAGE Camp Springs, Md. OWENS MOTCR CO. 6323 Georgia Avenue A % L O W BOYER MOTOR SALES Capitol Heights, Md. AERO AUTO CO. 1101 King St., Alexandria, Va. Wilson Blvd. and Holly St. Clarendon, Va. LUSTINE-NICHOLSON MOTOR CO.. Hyattsville, Md. C.Oo 8T