Evening Star Newspaper, August 10, 1930, Page 47

In the Motor World BY G. ADAM: of the director of traffic, the assistant director of traffic and the Traffic Bureau strongly intrenched in the new quarters in the Walker Building on Louisiana avenue, facing the city courts. Unquestionably the location is better than the quar- ters on Pennsylvania avenue, and | the roominess most desirable. And | last, but not least, the accommo- | dations are much cooler. Motor vehicles of all types reg- | {stered throughout the world on| January 1 of this year totaled‘ 85,127,398, an increase of 3,092,826 | vehicles, or 9 per cent, over the to-| tal of 1929, according to Charles | F. Baldwin, assistant chief, Auto-| mobile Division, Department of Commerce. 26,653,450 Cars in U. S. Of this total 26,653,450 are cred- fted to the United States; more| than three times the number of | motor vehicles registered in all| foreign and non-contiguous coun- tries. Assuming a world popula- tion of 1940,000,000, the depart- ment’s census shows one automo- bile registered to every 55 per- sons, reducing the ratio of a year ago when it was one to every 61 persons. Ownership of motor cars in the United States is far in advance of any other country with one auto- mobile to every 4.5 persons, com- paring with one for every 216 per- sons outside of the United States. “This explains,” says the Acci- dent Statistics Bureau of New York, “why the United States has an accident death rate of 79.2 per 100,000, more_than twice as high as Germany, France, Italy or Hol- land. Deaths from automcbile ac- cidents in 78 large American citics during the 52 weeks ending April, 1930, show an increase of 13 per cent over the same period of 1929, according to the Bureau of the Census, which lists 8,675 fatalities in 1930, against 7,657 in 1929. Life insurance figures indicate that in- juries from broken glass account for about 65 per cent of total in- juries, fatal or otherwise, and | that the general introduction of shatterproof glass should reduce this figure materiaily. Nineteen car manufacturers have already adopted it. Fatalitles in Larger Cities. “The six eities of the United States credited with having more than a million population showed an increase -in death from acci- dents, in the period ending in 1930, as compared with 1929, with one exception. This was Chicago, which shows a decrease of 18. The ranking of these cities by accident fatalities in the 1930 period is as follows: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia and Cleveland.” I AST week found the offices Approximately one-third of the automobiles now using the high- ways of the United States are op- erating with defective brakes, ac- cording to W. A. Blume, vice pres- jdent and chief engineer of a large American brake corporation. Mr. Blume's estimate that a third of the 26,000,000 American motor cars are equipped with de- fective brakes is based upon re- rts of brake-testing campaigns ?r.;)m many cities. The most com- prehensive of these campaigns re- cently was undertaken by safety organizations and automobile clubs throughout the country, with more than 1,000 cities sched- uled to co-operate in the tests. “The Detroit tests,” Mr. Blume sald, “were completed about the last of June and brought 30,000 automobiles under the eyes of the tion crew. Statistics showed that 40 per cent of them were op- erating with faulty brakes or headlights, largely the former, and that 5 per cent were defective in steering. The brake tests were conducted by means of a tele- gauge, recording separately the pressure on each brake. The tests ‘were conducted under the spon- sorship of the Detroit Automobile Club, Public Safety League and the Detroit Auto Dealers’ Associa- tion. “Reports from Syracuse, N. Y.; Tecatur, Ill.; Colorado Springs, Colo,, and Alexandria, Va,, indi- cate similar results for those cities. Many Defective Brakes. *A total of 2,628 cars were ex- amined at Colorado Springs dur- ing a five-day safety drive. Of tth number, 1,105 were found to have defective brakes. The first dlf of the campaign 2°0 mc- chines were inspected, of whi 265 were defective in one way o another, usually because of poor brakes. Seventy of these drivers returned later with their cars 1°- paired. The others presumably still are on the streets. “A three-day campaign just has been conducted by the Kansas City Safety Council. I don’t have the final figures yet, but the re- sults of the 1927 test indicate what we may expect. At that time the brakes on 32729 cars were tested, of which 34 per cent were found to be faulty. “All of these reports, with their close uniformity, indicate very clearly that millions of cars now on the highways are operated with faulty brakes, a constant hazard in these days of congested traffic and high speed.” Analysis shows that no two ad- Lolnlnz States in the Union today ave uniform regulations covering motor trucks. Among other things, this applies to such essentlals as weights, lengths, heights and traffic codes. Pointing out the sit- uation as it exists, C. A. Tilt, pres- ident in the automotive industry, cites the difficulties and compli- cations that naturally result from | lack of uniformity. “There has been a tendency to-| ward aiding motor trucks,” says| WMr. Tilt. “This has come partly from appreciation of the vital part they play in the Nation’s scheme of transportation. It has been due to recognition of the great im;rovements which have been made in motor truck design | along lines of quietness and smoothness of operation, greater power per pound of weight and equipping With four-wheel brakes, shock absorbers, pneumatic tires and six wheels. The personal ele- ment has also come into the reck- cning, by which I mean that mo- S HOWARD. tor truck drivers have themselves to be men of courtesy and consideration. Truck Restrictions Lifted. “As a result of these factors, va- rious States have lifted obsolete restrictions upon motor trucks. They have found that modern commercial vehicles can travel twice as fast as their predecessors, and may do so with safety; that they may have twice as great weight and yet cause far less wear upon roads than formerly. “What we now need is a spirit of get-together among the dif- ferent States. Success of a move in this direction is especially im- portant in view of the increase in interstate travel by motor trucks, and the fact that they now serve within a radius of operation as great as 300 miles. Uniformity of traffic regulations among States, and communities within the same State, would go a long way toward eliminating confusion by motor truck drivers. “In the matter of regulations pertaining to motor truck weights, roved skill, States with the most liberal pro- visions may well serve as pat- terns for other Commonwealths, particularly since their own ex- perience has proved to them the wisdom of lifting obsolete restric- tions on commercial motor ve- hicles.” Although the special session of the New Jersey Legislature, called by Gov. Larson for the purpose of giving relief to a group of 32 small municipalities, which find them- selves embarrassed by the provi- slons of chapter 181, laws of 1930, has just recessed without afford- ing such relief, it did act on other important questions. The most interesting perhaps relates to the kinds of accidents under which motorists shall be re- quired to show financial responsi- bility before being permitted to continue operating automobiles. Heretofore, all minor accidents of whatever character forced those involved'to secure liability Insur- | ance, or show other evidence of ability to pay accident claims. Four Classes of Accidents. By the terms of the bill, which went through both Houses last week, there will hereafter be but | four classes of accidents under which the motorist will be com- pelled to show financia] respon- sibility before he can continue to drive. The four are reckless driving, manslaughter, hit-and- run and drunken driving. shatter-proof glass, advocated by many safety engineers as a move toward reducing the injury and fatality rate, was not considered at this session. New Jersey ranked seventh in 1929 in motor vehicle fatalities according to the State Health Department’s figures. The new bill will unquestionably result in the exercise of greater care on the part of motorists and it will be effectively administered by Motor Vehicle Commissioner Harold G. Hoffman. Her Name Was From the Wheel. A stout woman drove up to a filling | station. “I want two quarts of ofl,”| she said. “What kind, heavy?” asked the at- tendant. “Say, young man, don’t get fresh with me,” was the ‘Indignant response, I.e);n. No Stop Signs in Heaven. “They've just discovered a fellow who heights, lengths and speeds, the| The compulsory adoption of a|S% THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, AUGUST 10, 1930_PART FOUR. POARDERS TAKEN MOTOR WORLD AIDED BY LAST CONGRESS A. M. A. General Manager Points Out Highway Legislation ¢ Enacted. From the motorist's viewpoint the | Seventy-first Congress, which has just | adjourned, is the most important ses- sion ever held, according to the Ameri- can Motorists’ Association, making a | resume of legislation enacted by Con- gress which is of interest to the 26,000,~ U(\Dwnummohfle owners of the United s, ““The last session might well be known | as the highway Congress,” declares | Thomas J. Keefe, general manager of the A. M. A, citing the fact that there were enacted 25 pleces of new Federal highway legislation, carrying total ap- propriations of $526,402,628. “Possibly the clearest conception of just what the Federal Government did for the motorist at the last, session can be gotten by an analysis of the figures, which show that out of each dollar ap- propriated 10.9 cents was for highways. “The total approvriations made by the last Congress aggregated $4,850,- 000,000, of which $526,402,628, or 10.9 per cent, was for highways, all to be expended during 1930-31-32-33," the | legislative review shows. i “Of the total sum for highways, the | largest item was the increased Federal | ald bill, authorizing $375,000,000 for | 1931-32-33. The Federal aid authoriza- | tion for 1930 was $75,000,000, to which was added $31,400,000 by way of a spe- cial increase. In addition to this, there | was added $37,500,000 for increased | Federal aid for forest roads and trails | in the Nation's parks. These items, | plus_$1,000,000 for a new highway in the Panama Canal Zone and $3,500,000 for the Mount Vernon-Washington Me- morial Highway, running from Wash- i‘i‘;(‘;"s broken a single traffic law since “How the deuce did he menage 1t?” “By dying in that year.” Business Coupe, $1245; Brow, Ezecutive Ofices and Service 1612-22 U St. N.W. ot $1295; Roadster (with ington to Mount Vernon, bring the total Federal aid authorization for the WHEN “THE CITY ¥ TO BOARD AT YER GAL'S HOUSE™ next three years up to $523,400,000. [ W Wi / VTcKER CAME Liberalization of Speed Laws Urged By American Motorists’ Association A liberalization of automobile speed laws was recommended here this week by the American Motorists’ Association, following announcement of results of a survey showing that there is a definite trend for a general revision, under cer- tain conditions. “The move to legalize higher speeds, under certain conditions, is not contrary to safety principles,” declares Thomas J. Keefe, genersl manager of the A. M. “On the contrary, it is calculated to encourage greater respect for all motor vehicle laws. Automobile speeds up to as high as 50 and 60 miles per hour, under proper conditions, are perfectly safe, yet our survey shows that in many States there still remain on the statute books maximum limits of 20, 25 and 30 miles per hour. “Motorists pay little or no attention to such speed regulations in the open country. The result is that they be- come careless in their-observation of not only speed regulations, but almost all motor vehicle laws. Four-wheel brakes, and other marked improvements in the design of automobiles during recent years, makes it possible to permit high- er speed in the country, without sac- rificing any principles of safety which are still greatly needed in the operation of an automobile,” the A. M. A. state- ment declares. The recent study made by the State of Massachusetts, where the maximum speed limit is 20 miles per hour, is cited by the association, pointig out that after several months of study of the question, & committee appointed by the Governor and composed of several hun- dred individuals has just recommend- ed that the limits should be raised to 15 miles per hour in the business dis- trict, 25 miles per hour in outlying dis- trricts and 40 miles per hour on_the open highway. In New York, where the maximum limit is 30 miles an hour, and in several other States there is now pending proposed legislation to in- crease the maximum speed limits to 40 and 45 miles an hour, the survey showed. ‘The maximum speed in the District CHRYSLER = Corer Bight Roadite, $1495 NEW CHRYSLER SIX CHRYSLER ‘66" CHRYSLER ‘70" le seat), $1345. NEW:- CHRYSLER EIGHT Standard Models—Roadster, $1495; Coupe, $1495; Sedari, §1525 —Special Coupe, §1535; S} Special Convertible Coupe, §1665; Sport Roadster (with 6 wire wheels and trunk rack), $1593. F. O. B. Factory. NEW CHRYSLER IMPERIAL EIGHT Four magnificent body styles: Seven-Pass. Sedan, Sedan-Limousine, Five-Pass. Sedan, Close-Coupled Five-Pass. Ee;h OTHER DEALERS Y CHIDSEEI DEATERS FVEIRY W (wire wheels extra) COMPLETE LINE There is today a Chrysler for virtually every purse and every person's need or desire—six-cylinder Chryslers and eight-cylinder Chryslers—and in whatever Chrysler you choose you get more for your money than the same sum or a similar sum could elsewhere obtain. Let us prove it to you. Coupe, §795; Touring, §835; Royal Coupe, §535; Roadster, §835; Royal Sedan, §345. F. O. B. Factory. Business Coupe, $995; Braugham, $995; Roadster (with ‘rumble seat), $1025; Phaeton, §1025; Royal Coupe (with rumble seat), $1075; Royal Sedan, §1095. F. O. B. Factory. , $1245; Royal Coupe (with rumble seat), §1295; Royal Sedan, $1295; Phacton, "0, B. Factory. ial Sedan, $1565; Used Car Salesrooms 1321-23 14th St. N.W. Salesrooms—1612-22 You St. N.W. and 10th and H Sts. N.E. Skinker Motor Co., 1216 20th St. NW, LY MMou'nri SOERECED O RV TR OTEERED BY CHINS LRI MO oRs 1Rt of Columbia 15 30 miles an hour. This is regarded by the association as being extremely liberal, belfg surpassed only by the State of Ohio, which allows a maximum of 35 miles per hour in cer- tain residential districts. “Strict enforcement in congested areas and a liberalization of maximum speeds in the open country is being sought, the survey shows. Twelve States, at the present time, have com- pletely abolished maximum speed reg- ulations and now base their speed laws on a ‘reasonable and proper’ basis,” the A. M. A. statement concludes. WEAR OF BUSSES STUDIED| Bureau of Public Roads to Make Tests at Aberdeen. ABERDEEN, Md. (#)—The wear on modern highways of heavily loaded busses, speeding at 50 or 60 miles an hour, will be studied by the Bureau of Public Roads. A stretch of concrete pavement at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds has been made available by the War Department and tests will be conducted for two months. Various types and sizes of high- pressure and balloon tires will equip & test bus to find the kind giving the least destructive impact to the highway. CARBURETOR ADJUSTMENT NEEDED FOR SUMMER USE Oscar Coolican Says Maximum Mileage Depends TUpon Correct Setting. Is your carburetor setting such as to afford maximum mileage at this sea- son? While this query may seem somewhat belated, actually it is not, according to Oscar Coolican, local automobile dis- tributor, who points out that thousands of motorists are losing the benefits of better gasoline mileage because they do not pay sufficlent attention to the car- buretor adjustment. “This is not a plea for the car owner immediately to begin attempting to ad- Just his carburetor,” Mr. Coolican says. “Rather, if anything, it would be before all else a plea for the motorist not to touch that important unit, Adjusting the carburetor is an expert’s job, and the average motorist attempting it likely to blunder. “But, this certainly may be construed as advice to the car owner to take shis automobile into his maintenance de- partment and have a qualified mechanic test the carburetor.for pre adjust- ment for this season.i The odds are that in almost nine cases out of ten some adjustment will be found necessary, and the result of the mechanic’s work will be to give the owner better performance and more economical performance at one and the same time." is \when dri AVERAGE MOTORIST OBLIVIOUS OF DELICATE ADJUSTMENTS Main Responsibility, Says Technician, Is to BY H. CLIFFORD BROKAW, Automobile Technical Adviser. The mechanics of the modern suto- mobile include finely made parts, com- | plicated to the non-technical automo-| bile owner, but quite simple in the com- prehension of the engineering frater- nity. The average motorist is entirely oblivious of the necessarily delicate Id-‘ justments in his car, because of which machinery _continues to function| smoothly as he uses his car from day to| day. The main responsibility of the, owner in regard to all this complexity | of mechanic adjustment is to see that its parts are properly lubricated. Most Distracting. There is nothing more distracting when on a motoring vacation than me- chanical troubles growing out of lack of lubrication. With each automobile sold the manufacturer provides a book of instructions which if carefully fol- lowed will eliminate trouble. The auto- mobile dealer is always glad to supple- | ment such information in any way possible. The book will give sugges- tions as to when the ofl for the engine should be changed, and the local dealer will probably recommend what, in his opinion, is the best kind of ol to use. In modern motor cars the transmis- slon is small and compact and efficient, the gears are closely fitted and move at | {‘rl:fl.er speed than a few years ago, But ‘mechanical perfection of the pres- ent transmission is of no avail unless| properly and sufficiently lubricated. “Pure oil of a proper grade containing | no harmful filler to clog small open- ings, should be used. The differential needs also, & penetrating oil which reaches all the wearable parts, especially necessary with the high speeds, smaller axle housings and heavier loads char: acteristic of motor driving nowadays. ‘The wheels of present-day automo- biles are being made smaller, so they revolve much faster than they former] did. And the average driving speed almost double what it used to be. Con- sequently the wheel bearings have sev- eral times as much work to do as they did before. They are also subject to severe end thrusts because of the rapidity at which curves are taken. ‘These bearings need to be lubricated, but with a grade of oil that is finer than that used for the differential; an almost fluid oil, in fact. There are, however, | some cars made whose wheel bearings! | require a grease. Strain Increased. ‘The universal joints have come in for their share of increased strain as well as other parts of the automobile be- cause of the high speed and sudden stops of modern driving. Unless lubri- cated well, excessive wear and conse- quent noise will be sure to appear pre- maturely. There are two of uni- versal joints. One is tightly inclosed and designed to be lubricated with oil |and is contained within a case. The other type, which is not inclosed, re- quires a fibrous grease. One of the pleasures of driving is a perfectly free, easily performing steering wheel. The steering wheel is constantly being turned and twisted and moved ving, and, of course, the steer- ing gear is in constant motion. Unless this vez important part of the auto- mobile is properly lubricated, one will be rewarded with shimmying wheels and a steering Pemrmnnce that is loose and unreliable. Sudden fast turns add their share to the strain on the A highly viscous oil is the kind to use in this case. Automobile riding would indeed be a dreary process were it not for the highly flexible and excellent springs with which the modern motor cars are lubrication | roaq See That All Parts of Automobile Are Kept Properly Lubricated. equipped. These springs give with every mmx:: of the car, wer'y’ bump, or small, on the road. Each time the spring moves there is motion around shackle bolts. Even so, this motion is not sufficient to circulate around the surface of the bolt, and the automobile owner is wise when he assures himself that & lubricant which reaches and covers all the surface on these bolts and “stays put” is used to lessen the friction. Clutch Attention. The only clutch bearing which re- quires any attention is the clutch re- lease bearings, the construction of which determines the kind of lubricant to use. Some makes require an oily rather than a thicker, greasier lubricant. The ease with which one may handle a car depends to a large extent on the care- ful and proper lubrication of this bearing. The water pump shaft comes in for its share of attention. To take care of this a grease cup is generally provided. | This shaft and the fan bearing are generally the only parts of the engine proper that are not lubricated by the central oiling system. Generally the generator and starting motor bearings require very little atten- tion, but they should be given a few drops of some good oil at regular ine mvvilr}s, en planning a trip of any length it will pay to have one’s car thmmly lubricated, for without this protection parts of an automobile will wear out and break down unexpectedly, and th expense and time and troul d a) noyance of hlvin.g repairs m on the may take all the pleasure out of a holiday. WARNER GIVEN S. A, E. J0B As the new secretary and general lz-nmmotflu!odmotAum- tive Engineers, the president and council have announced the ap- pointment of John A, C. Wa ner. Mr. Warner will succeed t late Coker F. Clarkson, the only previ« ous incumbent of the position, who had held it for the past 20 years. The a\mc;ll nlso! lnn‘::llnfied the l;rnlhn of e office of assistant general mq e, to be filled by C. B. Veal. h?;na‘n“;;\ of the organization and the develop- ment of new offices are dictated ogy the constantly increasing variety and complexity of the soclety's work. Automobile Salesmen An old - blished automobile agency sell- ing popular make of cars under $1,000 has opening for three additional ex- perienced salesmen. At- trac tiv e proposition of salary and commission. All replies confidential. Our salesmen know of this ad. Address Box 374-D Star Office WO cdis dil NOW on ’ THE BANTAM AUSTIN will run 1000 miles ! for $7.40 (gas, oil and tires). The average ! sized car will run 1000 miles for $25.20 ! Both can be run (500 miles each) for $16.30 HERE'S A THRIFTY MATE for cars that squander gaso- line. The bantam Austin is the car to run around in. Leave the large car at home for family use... the saving of wear and tear on it will soon pay for the Austin. And you get the convenience of two cars. . . for less than the cost of operating one. .. Here are the amazing facts. .. 40 miles on a gallon of gasoline... 20,000 to 40,000 miles on a set of tires ... cost per mile for Dellinger Bros. Winchester, Va, gas, oil and tires is less than 34c. more éfl/)fy Z‘d;z To the station and back eve ry day for a few cents. To town for less than the car fare! Two miles for less than the cost of a postage stamp! The bantam Austin handles easily. . . adroit as a polo pony. It parksin the spaces! And comfortable. .. just most impossible sitinit! Accom- modates two people. . .with plenty of leg room. Its heritage is over 500 medals and cups won on hills and racing courses by the Austin of world wide fame. The American Austin is the same mechanical design...with young, new- world bodies. Its price is $445 at the factory...and it earns its own Distributors GARRETT MOTOR CO., Inc. 1835 14th St. N.W. keep. North 1761 Associate Dealers Blackwell Motor Co. Alexandria, Va. Carpenter Motor Co. Madison, Va. -