Evening Star Newspaper, November 9, 1930, Page 61

" LEGISLATION AIDED MOTORDOM IN 1330 American Motorists’ Associ- ation Head Sums Up State Actions. BY J. BORTON WEEKS. President, American Motorists' Association. Laws that relate to the motor vehicle, with the last regular and special legis- lative session of the year now out of the way, are quite different than when 1930 started. Gasoline taxes have been increased, bond issues for highway extension and improvement approved, State road sys- tem ‘mHeage increased, speed limits in- Ccreased, statutes relating to motor vehicle fees modified, toll bridge regula- tions revised, and billboards andi auto- moblle junk yards made subject to license. In general, motordom has moved onward in a legislative way. From it greater revenue is asked, but in all cases the request is bulwarked by the promise that the funds will go to- ward the elimination of the varied re- strictions besetting the path of the car owner, Anent Gas Taxes. According to the American Associa- tion of State Highway Officials, whose annual compilation of State legislative action on motoring matters is regarded as completely authentic and comprehen- sive, in three States an increase in gaso- line taxes has been voted, while in a fourth it was decided to submit to a referendum a further levy on fuel, and in another the tax was reduced. The States which voted the higher assess- ment were Texas, Tennessee and Idaho. ‘The first raised the rate from two to four cents per gallon, while Tennessee added a cent to the existing three cent levy. Idaho's Legislature met in special session to vote an increase from four to five cents a gallon. ‘The fourth State to act on the gaso- Iine tax was New Jersey, one of the last to impose such a law. The action was indirect, coming in the form of legis- lative approval of a referendum on the expenditure of $83,000,000 for viaducts and bridges and the eltmination of grade crossings. If the referendum carries, its effect will be to increase the gasoline :: rate from two to three cents a gal- Of the amount specified in the refer- endum, $65,000,000 is to be devoted to bridge and viaduct construction and $18,000,000 for grade crossing elimina- tion. Another aspect of the referendum, which will be voted upon in November, relates to the approval by the voters of the transfer of $2,000,000 annually from motor vehicle funds to grade crossing elimination on roads not part of the State system. AMERICAN THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., NOVEMBER 9, 1930—PART FOUR. of many shrines, none is more | == = >: than the home of' micrest&r& Mary Todd who reached the Whi¥e House through her visits fo Springfield Illinois, where she. young lawyer; Abraham met the Lincoln. ©Anican Hionway Esucanons. Bureas HISTORY BY MOTOR— gl —BY JAMES W. BROOKS. (Sketches by Calvin A. Fader.) s> to the home of Henry AVERAGE TIRE COST FIGURED FOR 1929 Motorists Found to Have Spent About $28.97 Each on Car Rubber. An average of approximately $28.97 was spent by each motorist of the United States last year on his tires and tubes, according to a compilation just made by the American Motorists Asso- clation, ‘The association’s estimate is based upon production figures furnished by tire manufacturers to the Census Bu- reau, showing that the average value per tire last year was $8.30, while the average value per tube was $1.21. Each motorist used an average of 3.04 tires and 3.0 tubes per capita in 1929, the figures show. Tire Costs Lower. ely because of the decline in It will be remembered that in the closing days of the legislative session of the State of Pennsylvania in 1929 that an increase of one cent in the gaso- line tax to four cents was enacted. Due to strenuous opposition the Legislature limited the increased tax to one year. On July 1, 1930, the gasoline tax auto- matically reverted to three cents. West Virginia Action. As a result of legislative action, mo- torists in West Virginia will be driving under a new code of regulations after next January 1. In South Carolina the cause of the motor vehicle operator's license law finds another convert, and hereafter before one may drive, he must rove his ability. This addition to the code of the State as well as the older portions will be enforced by a new fi.hny patrol, also established by the gislature. Virginia motorists also find their pathway modified. The State Legisla- ture increased the speed limit on rural highways from 35 to 45 miles an hour. Further, it authorized the addition of 1,787 miles to the State system within the next two years and the employment of a landscape engineer by the Highway Department, Rhode Island and New Jersey are two other States which have ventured more definitely into highway beautification. The planting of trees and shrubbery along the rights of way of State high ways was authorized in the former, while in the latter, a new law calls for the licensing of bilthoards and super- vision of their erection by the commis- sioner of motor vehicles. Another step in the same direction in New Jersey is @ law licensing automobile junk yards, Blving the State jurisdiction over the character and location of such estab- lishments. In a special session of one day the New Jersey Legislature drastically modi- fled the State's financial responsibility | law. The number of offenses to which Pprovisions of the law apply was reduced from 32 to less than one-fifth that number and the statute made effective only against the guilty party. New Jersey Changes. Still another change affecting New Jersey motor vehicle operation was the creation of a separate traffic commis- sion which will have jurisdiction over traffic lights and other traffic d. ices throughout the State. The commission is charged with pedestrian protection, as well as creating uniformity in local regulations. New Jersey also taxed in- terstate busses half cent a mile, Legislation affecting highways was enacted in several States. Massachu- setts voted to incresse its !M\,IW‘ State roads by 25 pe. cent more than last year, enabling the Highway De- partment not only to increase its pro- gram but to take advantage of thé in- crease in Federal-aid appropriations from $75,000,000 to $125,000,000. Idaho acted with a similar end in Legislature authorizing the issuance of | 9 $1,000,000 in State treasury notes. A | standpoints. From a simple beginning, ‘Largely G crude rubber, coupled with competition among manufacturers, price of automobile tires today is lower than during any year since 1924, an analysis of the figures show,” declares Thomas .k ;‘(axfe. general manager of the “Another factor in the economy of the motorist's tire bill today is the con- tinued increase in highway improve- ments and the consequent reduction in blowouts and other injuries to tires. Mergers Held Responsible. “The merger of tire manufacturing concerns has also played an important | prob! part in the lows of tire prices. In 1925 there were 125 manufacturers of tires and tubes. Today there are less than 40, “Standardization of sizes, especially in the balloon types, has likewise r-u{hd in economy of productton and distribu- tion, which economy has been passed on to the consumer, Two m: ago there were 43 sizes of balloon com- with today’s standardization of 7 sizes,” the statement points out. RESEARCH WEDDING TO SCIENCE EVIDENT Research Laboratories to Be Visited by National Research Council, Recent news dispatches report 100 indutrial executives and bankers from all parts of the United States are being conducted on a tour of research laboratories by the National Research Included in their tour will be a visit to one of the great automotive manufacturing concerns of the world. Nowhere is the wedding of industry and science more evident than in the field of transportation, from both the mechanical and civil engineering when leveling off and tamp! down were the order of the day, road build- ing has developed into an exact science, with “highway research” an established fact. Machines have been developed which r luce traffic artificially. Chunks of road-building be measured for “wear ‘resistance.” ‘Test roads have been built and scien- tific road-building technique devised. Automobile manufacturers literally | tear their machines apart today in an | effort to improve manufacturing pro- cedure. Research laboratories in the automobile ‘ industry contain many de- vices for artificially producing road | shocks, body strains, wear, etc. The Kflrnleum industry, closely relat- ed to the automotive industry, has con- tributed much to the advancement of transportation in all its phases and is perhaps the most outstanding enmme f the growth of the laboratory in in- From the early days when ofl one crude dustry, was sim six-year road bullding program, involv- ing a sum of $10,000,000, to be paid for out of the gasoline tax, will be laid before the voters of Idaho in 1932, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wvoming were other States to act on highway issues, In Wyoming th lature cecided to sub- mi. the question of a $2,800,000 road bond issue to the voters in November. The sale of $15.000,000 worth of unsold bonds of the issue of $35000.000 two years ago was authorized in West Vir- ginia, and in Tennessee the Depart- ment of Highways was authorized borrow $10,000,000 on short-term notes, to_be retired out of line tax revenu ‘The constitution of the State Highwi Department in- Kentucky was changed, the number of commissioners being in- creased from four to eight, and the ;mwer of appointment being transferred rom the Govermor to a board composed of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor | and Attorney Ge.eral. “The addition of 1,500 miles to the State highway sys- tem, making a total of 13.000 miles un- de State furi-~‘~tion, also was veted in Kentucky Kentu ky Toll Bridges. Tol bridges may be grouped ander one bond issue in any number thaf, the mwny Commission may see fit and charged until the bonds are re- tired, as a result of another act of the Kentucky Legislature. A reduction in “motor license fees amounting to 25 per cent also was authorized. South Carolina’s actio: on the high- ‘Way question was to vote a ban against the addition of more than 20 miles yearly to the State system. Mississippi's Legislature in specia) ses- slon passed a law providing for thé popular election of its three highway ‘commissicrers. South Carolina and Texas enacted Jaws regarding ccramercial vehicles, the former in the form of a limit on the size and weight of vehicles permitted on the roads in that State. Texas voted to place truck and bus license fecs on & gross weight basis. This State also increased its speed limit from 35 to 45 miles an hour. Pedestrian of the public way -W#shwm n?‘glmu it o l: 11 lubricating and sold for all lubrical purposes, this industry has to the point where today lubricants are de- veloped in the laboratory—scientifically | N blended from a variety of crudes and manufactured to meet the specific needs | cof many different engines. Oils today are mede and not found. OIL GAUGE INSTRUMENT 'HELD VERY IMPORTANT Engineering Bulletin Points Out Thorough Understanding Necessary. The ofl gauge is one of the most im- portant instruments on an automobile. ‘The presence of the oll gauge on an instrument board, plus the driver's un- derstanding of it, can prevent damage to the car. The ol gauge, an engineering bulle- tin says in part, is the only indicator the driver has to tell if something goes wrong with the oil supply. If the oil does not circulate, or if there is no ofl the gauge will register zero. Starting with a cold engine the ofl is heavy, and although the gauge in- dicates a high pressure, ve little ofl flows through the bearings to be sprayed on the cylinder walls. That is the time to drive carefully and at a moderate :E«d and not abuse the engine. As | the engine warms up a reduction in oil pressure will be noticed as the oll | Bows freely through the bearings and the cperating parts are properly lubri- ated. Lland requiring walkers to remain as | elcse as practicable to the extreme left ! of the surfaced part of the highway. All in all, the year’s legislative en- N N N N N N N N PROGRESSIVENESS OF TRAFFIC REQUIRES CONSTANT SOLUTION Yearly Increase So Rapid That Adoption of Perfected Facilities Are Negated by Newer BY ALVAN MACAULEY, President National Automobile Chamber of Commerce. The following story relates to growth of the traffic problem in recent years and points out the ance which vehicle operators and pe may give to its solution through cou: tesy toward others in the use of the streets and roads. It is not at all surprising that the highway traffic situation has become a problem. After the use of more or less primitive means of transportation for ages, it is only in the last 25 years that the new and marvelous development in highway transport has been thrust upon modern life, and in the last decade be- come an untrained and sometimes un- ruly giant. Automobile increase from an insig- nificant registration of 3,200 cars in 1899, and 305,950 in 1909, to 6,771,674 in 1919, and 26,653,450 in 1929, indi- cates the stupendous growth of motor vehicular traffic in the United States. The year-to-year increase has been so rapid that scarcely have larger traffic facilities been provided and improved safety plans perfected than they have been negated by new and bigger prob- lems accompanying the ever-increasing and more exacting demands of expand- | ing traffic. Progress Made. Much progress in dealing with this lem has been made, and much more will be made. But a complete and final solution is not to be antici- pated. The progressive nature of the problem calls for a continuing solution. The National Conference on Street and Highway Safety at Washington, which was brought into being in 1924 by President Hoover, then Secretary of Commerce, and is headed now by Secretary of Commerce Lamont as chairman, is the instrumentality through which has been laid down uniform and standardized traffic rules and regula- tions for control and supervision as a pattern for the States and muricipali- ties in seeking a solution for this problem. ‘Two successive conferences since the Where to Motor and Dine RED FOX TAVERN Middleburg, Virginia % OUS _FOR A'Js S0 IH“GWOI- FOOD, Phone Miadleburg 39 or |l GRAY'S HILL INN verlooking the Potomac Formerly a vart o1 Mt Vernon Luncheon Dinner #i:hmond Road—16 MI.—Ph Lorten 4-F Lafayette Tea Room 106 W. Patrick St. Frederick, Md. Luncheon—Tea—Dinner d Waffle Diuners, §1 for tourl 0c to 31 rking Sp Rear ROSE HILL MANOR Home of First Gov. of Md. Dinner, $1.50 ., Frederick, Md. ht'at sauare Good Old Maryland Cooking 22222 e Ly ? The Little Tea House N Upper Road to Mexn.ndri- 10 Minutes South o1 Hiohway Bridoe Toll House Tavern iver Spring, Md. TWENTY MINUTES' DRIVE strateht out 10t Sreet o Marvlano itate L ht ' one mil u tc tor | actments have been constructive and motordom generally, In vir- helpful to tmfl’y every section of American Motorists’ w-nunmntrouln developments. And of this ‘We are, of course, quite problcms. first one, in study and consideration of the matter, have devised the uniform vehicle code as a pattern for State traffic control legislation, and the model municipal traffic ordinance, as supple- mentary to it, for use by municipalities. This code and ordinance have been accepted in whole or in part by a num- ber of States and municipalities. A general adoption of these measures will assure that degree of uniformity in traffic control, rules and regulations that is so essential to maximum safety, and to practical and effective handling of the traffic problem as a whole. The average citizen, who probably possesses only a limited knowledge of the magnitude and ramifications of the traffic ing information about it, and inquiring how he individually may assist in the solution. This problem directly affects every man, woman and child in the Nation. ‘While the legislators and police devise or enforce laws and regulations, the road builders construct more durable and safer roads, and the manufacturers | produce sturdy and well controlled | driver and pedestrian—that must either help to build up, or tend to destroy the traffic safety structure. Statistics of recent years seem to definitely demonstrate that approx- $795 to 3845 A N E W ?rohlem‘ is quite justified in seek- | i, | spotlight, or no vehicles, yet, in the last analysis, it is | | the conduct of the individual—both | New 6-60 (Series 6-Cyl., 1142%" Wheelbase — o 'I'HE man who lived here once said that he would rather be right than president. Even in stage coach days tourigts made i Clay, the first great advocate of toad building in the United States,and it still remains one of the leading tourist attractions in Kentucky. The paths which he trod under shately trees surrounding the 6 ilgril mo‘flxm will crive ot 10 oldest college west of the Atleghenies Slaves were sold. at higtoric Cheap- side and Abraham Lincoln. and. Jefferson Davis passed this way - under the strange guidance of Fite imately 80 per cent of all motor diffi- culties were, and are, the result of erratic or mistaken human behavior. It must be conceded that the conduct of the individual will govern to a large extent any progress in the solution of this tremendous problem. That has always been so in any movement or cause, ‘What is practical individual co-opera- tion by every one in this solution? I think 1t may be best expressed and have its start through the practice of courtesy on the street and highway. ieone may ask how many courtesy be applied to the solution of traffic tangles and to greater traffi 4 dictionary defines courtesy as an act of civility, respect, kindness, or a favor performed with politeness. In other words, it is a consciousness of the rights of others and an indication and dis- Pposition to respect those rights. Courtesy has long been the cormer- stone and keynote of cordlality, co- o] tion and helpfulness between in- viduals, organizations and nations. ‘Through the practice of courtesy on | = the streets and highways may be ex- emplified the toleration and willingness of both the driver and the pedestrian to cheerfully respect each other’s rights and to share jointly and conveniently to both the privileges of the road. ‘The courteous driver not only will cheerfully obey the letter and spirit of e law, but he will everywhere, at all times, and under all circumstances— law or no law—do something more. He will not: Drive unless physically fit. Drive with ineffective brakes or other defective equipment. Drive with Tlnrmg headlights or ights at all. Drive in an inattentive, careless, or reckless manner, or take a chance. Fail to signal turns and stops to those who are following him. Pass other cars on the hill or on curves. Drive at unsafe speeds on narrow or lllgpery roads, or in the presence of other dangerous conditions. Present-Day Oil Has Been Aging 100,000,000 Years Did you ever stop to think that the motor oil your order so casually poured into the crankcase for lubri- cating the family car’s engine may be derived from petroleum that was mellowing in the earth more than 100,00,000 years before present-day civilization found a way to utilize it? “Petroleum products are among the oldest natural commodities in the world that man uses today,” says a bulletin issued by the American Re- search Foundation. “Crude oil was being stored away in the und dim aeons in the Paleozoic era, which scientists estimate began at least 150,000,000 years ago. v Force the other fellow into a hazard- ous situation. Obstruct traffic unnecessarily. Park illegally or unsafely. He will, however: Obey traffic sagnals and warning signs, and not try to rush the lights. Approach pedestrians cautiously, and take particular pains to protect the child, the infirm and the aged, and any bewildered or imperiled pedestrian. Glve street railway and bus pas- sengers an opportunity for safety, even through the “Go” light is showing in his_direction. Give the other fellow the right of way, and the benefit of the doubt. Keep to the right of the road, and in line, and not zig-zag in and out of traffic, or out in front of others. Put this great moral force of courtes; to work. Let it hel#) to solve the high- way trafic and safety problem. Make cour!lesy the golden rule of the high- way! - THE L d 1 DRIVING IN WRONG LANE HELD UNSAFE PRACTICE Local Distributor Warns Motorists Against Slippery Streets in Fall and Winter. The average motorist's tendency to drive almost anywhere on the street except in the proper lane is an espe- cially dangerous one to follow at this season of treacherous footings, it is pointed out by Oscar Coolican, local automobile distributor. Mr. Coolican emphasizes that while keeping in the proper lane is essential to the safe and orderly movement of traffic at all times, it is particularly vital now and will continue so for months to come. . “Autumn, with its rains and skid- provoking fallen leaves, quite as much as Winter, with its snow and ice, is & season during which no motorist can afford to go weaving and bobbing about the streets,” Mr. Cool says. “Ob- viously, to do so is to court danger No matter how splendid our bral systems and how skidproof our tires, mechanical equipment cannot remove all the danger which lies in careless driving, and there is no more virulent form of careless driving than that which prompts motorists to use the wrong lanes on our congested streets. “The motorist, now more than at any other season, should remember that if he desires to make a right turn he should get into the extreme right lane and to do so well before the intersection is reached, If he means to proceed straight ahead he should get into the proper line and stay there. The latter is most important because it is the weaving in and out im areas that brings accidents and is likely to result in an excessive quota of them at this particular time.” ew NASH eAppearance and comfort are notably advenced THE new Nash cars are the fastest, the most powerful, the finest performing cars that have ever borne the Nash em- blem. They embody the choicest mate- rials—the most careful, expert work- manship. They bring you more motor New 8-70 (Series 8-Cyl., 11634" Wheelbase 3945 to $995 D EAL (Prices F. O. B. Factories) E O R T OD A Y *+8 8-Cyl., ® WALLACE MOTOR COMPANY Retail Salesrooms 1709 L St. N.W. Distributor | ‘PASSENGER CAR LEVEL UNCHANGED Upward Trend Seen Within Next Few Weeks, Cram Reports. nouncements by passenger car facturers is scheduled for in No- vember, and it is on such devel its 8s these that the state of the industry for the next few weeks seems to hang. ‘While new model announcements are always of interest in themselves, those scheduled for the near future have an im it effect on the in L industry feels that a general in prices will accompany new announcements and that reductions will not be limited to i et. but by competing companies who will mu:o ebfleomlmedm:fl :é“ sales l:- vantage ained by the presenta- tion of a new u'.ne fo merchandise. In Low-Price Fleld. It is generally felt that any such de- velopments of this kind will to the low-price asmuch as that most active at mfiu spread importance and reach the i i<k 5l e b i i 5 g5l hood of any great revk before the end of the ne: New models should and have a stimulating effect on and it is flh probable that ‘weeks of this year will feel a portion of sales as compared than was the case during the months. At any rate, it certain in view of current levels that domestic and export sales combined will continue to exceed pro- duction. Petrt{leum Industry Gains, petroleum industry of ; i e i g g?i H survey made by the leum News. o “Funds Allotted. Georges County, Md., has al- e of the car beauty and comfort than ever. And, in downright dollar value, they far ex- cel anything in their respective price fields. We should like to show the new Nash cars and demonstrate their re- markable speed;smoothneu and power. New 8-80 Series 8-Cyl., 121" Wheelbase $1245 t0 $1375 New 8-90 (Series 124" and 133" Wheelbase $1565 to 52025 DOLLAR Decatur 2280 AUTHORIZED WASHINGTON NASH DEATER Robt. J. Nash Motor Co. 1367 H $t. N.B. Hall-Kerr Motor Co. 131 B St. S.E. Williams & Baker, Inc. 1507 14th St. N.W. B.D. Jerman & Co 219 M St. N.W. Silver h ter Nash Motor Co. ring, Md. sfirot.hm larcndon, Va. \ utting new merchandise on the mar- -