Evening Star Newspaper, May 24, 1931, Page 50

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., MAY 24, 1931 DISTRICT MOTORISTS SUBJECT TO MARYLAND INSURANCE LAW - Financial Responsibility Act Effective in In the Motor World BY G. ADAMS HOWARD. THAT OVER-POWERING IMPULSE FELT BY R .. 1 b ID you ever wonder just|to achieve the speed through ma- what a taxi-driver thinks|chines that the ancient man about during his daily| drives eround the cily? Most every one has, and for this « yeason Bernard L. Henning, a vet- ean taxi-driver, ::as come to the front to add a iittle philosophy to| this column. Oddly enough, he| takes speed for his subject, a mat—. ter which was discussed to some length in this space last Sunday.| Mr. Henning's treatise is unique, however, and interesting. \ There is no question as to the fact that the automobile has a| charm to the average individual which is a heritage one inherits| {from primitive ancestors of pr historic times. Every human be: ing, doubtless, aspires to drive an | auto. | That the above conclusion is a| logical one, if one pauses .or 2 moment’s reflection, is obvious Man, long before the dawn of his- | tory, longed for and dreamed of the benefits to himself if he could outrun the other animals who oc- cupied the earth with him. With- out doubt he was, in the mystic past, before the dawn of history, | more helpless and less efficiently | equipped to take care of himself | than the animals with whom he | was forced to compete for exist- ence. Even the insects, like ants| and mosquitcs, were equipped by nature to take better care of| themselves than were men. | Most, if not all, of those animals | weaker than himself, on whom | nan could have preyed for tood, | were equipped with the one thing they needed to protect them- selves from his efforts to convert | them into food—speed. Most of | these animals who were weaker| than man, and, therefore, were regarded by him as mere food for himself. The one thing he need- ed to capture them was—by na-| ture—given to them and denied to | himself. The rabbit, the deer, the | birds and other “food stores”| could outrun him, or could even| fly. And, without a doubt, most of | the first thoughts of primitive| man were longings for speed on| earth and ability to fly in the air fast enough to prevent these speedy “food stores” from foiling his efforts to catch or to trap them. Held Means for Escape. Again, to escape from the ani- mals more powerful than himself, like the lion or tiger or the fero- | cious animals of whom we know little or nothing, must have been next to impossible for him. Even with his prehistoric tree-climbing ability, he probably had cause many times to wish for the speed | of the antelope or the wings of the eagle, or even the sparrow, in his efforts to escape his doom. Shall one deny, then, that speed has never been less than among| the first five most important things in the mind of man? Food, clothing, housing, heat and fast motion, speed. These five, above all things, have always been first in the minds of men. The only question open to argument is the proper order of their importance. And’ while the arder first given may be the correct one, a very good argument could be invented for placing speed first in the thoughts of men. Primitive man | might have craved speed first as 2 means of catching the fleet ani- mals he desired for focd. Again, he may have longed for speed in preference to all else as a means of escaping his more powerful enemies. “Self - preservation is the first law of nature”” Speed would have assured him of both food and safety. Moderns Atavistic. These needs of man for speed— before the dawn of history— through hundreds or perhaps thousands of years, these cravings and longings for speed enough to assure man of safety from a’ slow starvation or near starvation, from hunger, or from annihila- tion by enemies stronger and faster than himself, having made | their impression on his mind so| strongly, are doubtless reflected | in our mania for speed, even in this day when man no longer de- pends oa his ability to .catch or| trap his food, nor on his own speedy movements to elude the| rehistoric animals ave been the dread of his an-| cient ancestors. | Is it this ancient, hysterical de- | sire for speed—speed that was desperately needed, and lack of | which often meant doom to pre- historic man—which is reflected | by the desire of every one to drive | an auto? Is the reckless speed demon of today, unconsciously, | suffering from the thoughts and | o ions, driven to speed by the| inherited fears and delusions of his prehistoric ancestors? Who czn sdy not? Who can say that these thoughts and longings of primitive man, impressed in his brain through his need of speed for salvation behind the dim and | sty veil of prehistoric. times, | not the inherited impulses of | modern man’s impulse to reck- | lessness in speedy machines? Was it not this inherited longing of man’s uncivilized ancestors thou- sands of years after the need of the speed which the primitive man craved for protection had| passed that urged his descendants MOTOR DON'TS DON'T NEGLECT FENDER KINKS ! needed in his physique to save and to defend himself? Regulation Essential Doubtless man, in_the begin- ning of things, was hundreds of years learning to throw a stone. This was the beginning of the de- velopment cof speed. Delighted, perhaps, with his success in kill- ing a rabbit or a bird, he for years was satisfiled with this much de- velopment of speed., Finally came his greatest and most important discovery of speed, the bow and arrow. This, to the firg men on earth, would have very nearly satisfied their desire for speed, for the speed of their dream was for salvation only. Primitive man would not have craved speed for transportation only, as modern man does, be- cause he was too busy thinking, in his dull childish way, of his problem of food and defense. -It is doubtful if he had time or de- sire to think of speed either for transportation or for pleasure. But is the often murderous burst of speed of which the mod- ern auto driver is guilty merely a reflection of the inherited desire of primitive man for speed? If such is a fact, then one must eventually carefully regulate auto drivers. For the answer of man’s primitive dreams of speed enough to outrun the prehistoric “food stores” which he needed so desperately, and to outfly the eagle to escape his enemies are the airplane and the auto, they must be adapted. for safety, to transportation only, as man in this day needs them only for transportation and does not de- pend for safety on speed or fast motion to escape his enemies. In the final analysis in mass trans- portation will the true solution of our traffic problems be found, and a means must be found to prevent the speed which the ancient man craved for salvation from becom- ing the modern man’s means of Aestruction. Auto Making Changes. Two radical developments in automobile preduction between 1925 and 1930—the increasing popularity of six and eight-cylin- der models and the concentration of automobile making into fewer manufacturing units—are re- vealed in a six-year survey of the industry made by the American Research Foundation. “In 1930,” says the survey, “45 per cent of all the automobiles manufactured in the United States were six-cylinder types, 44 per cent were fours and 11 per cent were eight-cylinder models. Six years ago, 62 per cent of the motor car output was of four- cylinder types, 36 per cent sixes and only 2 per cent eights. This means that between 1925 and 1930 four-cylinder models regis- tered a decrease of 18 per cent out of the total produced and six and eight cylinder types a gain of 9 per cent each. % “How automobile manufactur- ing has been concentrated into the hands of fewer units is indi- cated by the fact that in 1930 there were only 46 different makes of cars on the market, compared with 78 in 1925. This reduction might imply that there is a growing uniformity in manu- facture. Yet among the 46 makes there are types of sufficient va- riety, of widely differing engine speeds, compression ratios and horse power to make very difficult the problem of providing motor fuel to give the best possible serv- ice in all makes. Sixes More Popular. “At least three different types of gasoline are necessary to meet these varying requirements. From these three, including the ordi- nary, or regular gasoline, the high compression or anti-knock va- riety, and the aircraft or high test, the type best calculated to develop greater power, ease in starting and all-around perform- ance in individual cars may be determined. “In terms of production units, {the trend between 1925 and 1930 tells an interesting story. In 1925 the production of four-cylinder models exceeded sixes by nearly 1,000,000, accounting for 2,299,400 out of 3,870,000 manufactured, while sixes totaled 1,392,200 and eights77,400. Out of an estimated | *© 2,823,000 automobiles manufac- tured in 1930, sixes predominated with approximately 1,270,350, while four-cylinder models ranked second with 1,242,120 and eights third with 310,530. “The marked gain in the popu- larity of sixes in the period studied is an unmistakablg indi- cation of the ever-growing de- mand for greater speed and in- creased power in automobiles.” S. A. E. SCHEDULES SUMMER MEETING Important Revelations Predicted at Gathering June 14 to 19. “There is an idea abroad, assiduous- {ly promoted by benighted minds, that | automoblle design is at a standstill. To those mistaken persons who hold such an idea, revelations of the pro- gressive engineering work that motor car makers are now doing In their laboratories will ccme as & shock,” pre- dicts John A. C. Warner, general man- ager, in speaking of the six-day Sum- mer meeting of the Society of Auto- motive Engineers to be held at White Sulphur Springs, W. Vs., June 14 to 19. “What is more,” declares Mr. Warner, “the advanced thought and new ideas that are to be brought to light at the technical sessions are bound to have such s pregnant effect upon design and future economy of operation that all automotive engineers, to use the Waltonian expression, will have to ‘fish or cut bait.’ “Several of the Summer meeting papers, disguised under prosaic engi- neering titles, will help to make auto- motive history. Th MOST MOTORISTS AFTER BATTLING AUTO PEAK MONTH LIKELY 0 BE MAY Rumors Current of New Low- Priced 12-Cylinder Car. Industry Summary. Special Dispatch to The Star. DETROIT, Mich,, May 23.—The peak month of the automobile trade season | for the first half of this year is likely | to be either April or May, possibly the latter. This deduction was made after a talk with H. J. Klingler, vice president in charge of sales of the Chevrolet Motor Co., when he to the company’s h uarters here this week., With a group of assoclate offi- cials, Mr. Klingler hag been touring the automobile centers of the country al- most continuously since January 1. He is continuing his travels from here to the Pacific Coast. Strongest Urge Felt. “April and May,” Mr. Klingler ex- plained, “are the months when .the birds come back, the leaves come out again and the people feel the strongest urge to buy new cars. June and July usually bring a seasonal let-up, but this is not always the rule. March and October have in other years been known to be the top months due to va It all depends on general business. Replacement demand is now the backbone of automotive manufacturing and sales, “At present the greater increases ap- pear to be in the Atlantic and Pacific Coast regions with the middle territory less active.” Facts and Figures. ‘The National Automobile Chamber of Commerce is distributing the 1931 edi- tion of “Facts and Fgures” which re- cords the status and statistics of the industry at the beginning of this year. ‘The book again records automobile manufacturing as America’s leading in- dustry, with wholesale value of prod- ucts totaling $3,717,996,553 during 1929, the last year for which census figures have been compiled, and mracnunz‘ one-eighth of the fotal trade of this country. Coming into 1930, it is disclosed that | 83 per cent of the cars sold were for replacement. Herein is revealed a radical change from the inflated mar-| ket condition of 1929. While the boom conditions prevailed, particularly in 1928 and 1929, the replacement aver- aged only 51 per cent of all cars regls tered, leaving the two-year average of new car buyers, among which “two-car families” were listed, as approximately | 29 per cent. N‘:nmn-mmy. ‘however, brought the new and multiple car buyer group down | 4 per cent of the whole, the re- mainder belng accounted for by the| foreign market, including Canada, | which rated 16 per cent. Last Year's Replacement. Last year, it is shown, the replace- ment ’zuled 2,900,000 units of the 3,355,986 manufactured by all the fac- tories. In passenger car preference, the N A. C. C. record book shows closed car body types accounting for 90 per cent of all production and recording a 1 per cent gain the previous year. | In passenger car production by body types the closed cars of the sedan class led with 38.4 per cent. Two-door se- | dans were 26.9 per cent; coupes 24.1 per cent; roadsters 6.9 per cent and touring cars 2.7 per cent of the entire factory | output. Sales of chassis alone were 1 T cent. pe‘l'he notable change from the year before was in preference for the coupe types, for which there was gain of 4 per cent. ';l!b-' good & customer the automobile industry is for the producers of raw materials appears from other data given in the 1931 book. The factories rank first in consumption of steel strips, bars, sheets and malleable iron. American cars use 85 per cent of all the gasoline manufactured, 82 per cent of the rubber, 68 per cent of the plate glass, 30 per cent of the nickel and 26 | per cent of the lead, ranking as first | consumer in each instance. Low Cost Multiple Cylinder. Talk of the week credits a producer outside of the Detroit area with plan ning the introduction of & new 12- cylinder car at & of $1,200. During the annual race week period at Indianapolis, the Duesenberg organi- ation is to stage an exhibition of rac. ing cars, past and t. It is to in- clude one engine with 24 cylinders, de- signed by Pred 8. Duesenberg. Miller cars and power plants, built by Harry Miller, are to be shown, also. In the Indianapolis race entries, there is included the first front drive car of the present racing 4 that was ever built. It has a Miller engine and as rebuilt for this contest, will be driven by W. H® “Speed” Gardner. (Copyright, 1931, by North American News- lohicais s ol Keep Gas Tank Filled. d a flying visit |- | river vistas in the country. Noew: INTERESTING Niagara Falls Affo 'SUSQUEHANNA TRAIL OFFERS MOTORING TRIP ;Tour of 450 Miles Over Good Roads to rds Many Attrac- tions to D. C. Autoists. The Susquehanna Trail is the famous | old Indian highway which traverses the | States of Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York and connects Washington with Niagara Falls and Canada. It offers 450 miles of fine concrete. It rolls through a never-ending magic land of beauty. Hills and dales, | valley and luxuriant farming country | with the shimmering Susquehanna | River setting up a quiet, restful back- | ground and rugged, green mountains. Two Available Routes. ‘There are two ways out of Washing- ton on this route, one through Balti- more and York and the other via Frederick and Gettysburg. Baltimore takes its proper name from | having been the province of Lord Bal- timore in early times. York was once | the capital of the Nation when Phila- delphia was occupled by the Dritish. A bell, the gift of Queen Anne, hangs in_the belfry of a church there. Frederick brings the motorist to the | city where once lived Francis Scott | Key, author of “The Star Spangled | Banner,” and Barbara Friethcle, heroine | of the incident related in Whittier's | spirited poem. Frederick also has an | old jug bridge, the entrance to which | is guarded by a huge demijohn in which soldiers of the Civil War are | sald to have hidden their liquors at | times. ‘There are 8,000 markers and monu- ments, the work of master craftsmen in stone and bronze, which have been erected in the war cemetery by State and national governments at Gettys- burg. Here also may be secen the house in which Abraham Lincon edited his famous address, the site of Pickett's glonnus charge and the Jenny Wade ouse. Days of the Indian. In the days when the Indians were still with us a family lived on the | banks of the stream which crosses the Susquehanna Trail between Harris-| burg and Gettysburg. One day the good housewife washed a pair of her husband’s trousers and hung taem out to dry. They were of a bright yellow color and at once attraclcd the atten- tion of & prowling Indian who stcle them. Hence the name of the stream “Yellow Breeches Creek,” which may be seen on a sign erected by the State Highway Department. Harrisburg is proud of its capitol building, said to be one of the costliest State structures in the United States. The interior of the capitol bullding | proper is decorated with paintings by | famous artists, while statuary of note is | arranged about the hallways of the| building. A handsome new bridge from | the hill section to the downtown area | where the capitol is located is the latest addition to this beautiful city. The Susquehanna trall follows the river all the way from Harrisburg to Willlamsport. Along this stretch the tourist may witness some of the finest | thy scenes are the beautiful river front as| one leaves Harrisburg, the union of the north and west branches of the river at Northumberland, the towers of old Bucknell University perched on a lofty | hill across the river In Lewisburg and | intriguing woodlands from Milton to | Williamsport, Historic Points, There are many points of historic in- terest along this particular stretch, too. On the outskirts of SBunbury was once situated old Fort Augusta, which, legend has it, was held by whites, who, through loyaity of an old Indian run- ner, spread faise information regarding their numbers and dispelled attacks of much larger bands of the redmen. In one of the fire houses in Sun- bury there reposes a cannon that was formerly mounted at Fort Augusta. The old plece has had an interesting career. It was stolen on four occasions, each time by a different party. It was buried in a cellar for some time and was chained to a garden post at another time. It was even sunk in the river to hide it. Each time it was stolen it was stolen back again, and now has an abiding resting place with one of the fire companes. | Across the river from Northumberland | tourists may sec a bluff, known locally | as “Blue Hill." against the side of which is a rude contour of & human face, said to resemble old Shikellimy, viceroy of the Grand Council of the Iroquois, who once had his village in the vicinity of Lewisburg. From his wigwam there he could observe the herds of wild buffalo that frequented that section of “Buf- falo Valley.” It was during the invasion of this country by white men that Capt. John Brady fell in his last great battle near | the town of Muncy. Halls Station, be- | tween Muncy and Willlamsport, is the Speedometer Service ' We Repair All Makes CREEL BROTHERS 1811 14th ST. N.W. Decatur 4220 site of a former Indian village and at a distance from the town proper is a mound, said to have been used by the Red Men for burying the dead. Near the mound have been found arrow heads and relics of primitive times. History of the Susquehanna. ‘The Susquehanna River was called “Otzinachon” by early Red Men because of the densely wooded forests on ail sides of its adjacent territory. Since those days the thickets have been par- tially cleared, but the rugged highlands still stand, mute testimonials of the scenes of warfere and tribal romance that were enacted on their ground. Before the advent of the white men the Susguehannock Indians gained su- premacy in the West Branch Valley of the Otzinasch. Because of their pres- tige the name of the great river was hanged to “Susquehanna.” The Sus- quehannocks were physically and cul- turally the superior of all Eastern tribes. Williamsport Attractions. ‘Willilamsport, 208 miles from Wash- ington and 225 miles from Niagara Falls. is the halfway point on the Sus- quehanna trall and known as the “Queen City” of the West Eranch Val- ley. It is an ideal over-night stopping point, offering good hotels, pure moun- tain and- water, clean streets, at- tractive shops and an inviting variety of amusements, including two new parx: ‘The city makes an ideal headquarters for a series of one-day irips to poin of interest in the country about. In this class would be Pennsylvania State Col- lege, Woodward, Penn's and Alexander caves, renowned for their beavtiful lime- stone formations, various State parks, the historic Tiadaghton Elm and Ole Bull's castle. Boating and fishing are also popular Summer sports in this vicinity. Cozy cottages npestle in cool spots along the banks of the lake at Eagles Mere and on practically all of the many small streams in the immediate arza of Wil- liamsport. From Williamsport to Trout Run, & distance of 15 miles, where the high- way enters the mountains, the trail fol- (Continued on Eighth Page.) Wheeler “Playmate” Cruisers REALTY TAX MOVE OPPOSED BY HENRY A. A. A. Head Condemns Use of Money Raised From Motorist. Anticipating probable action by the |A. A. A national convention, which , meets in West Baden, Ind., on June 3, | Thomas P. Henry, president of the na- | tional motoring body, in effect charged today that there is an organized move- ment on foot to lighten real estate taxes, this objective to be achieved by using motor funds for general State revenues and the virtual declaration of a road-building holiday. i “A group of large real estate opera- tors,” said Mr. Henry, “are advocating the diversion of motor vehicle taxes to | the Dirden “apon. and by Flacing S on e burden upon it on’ the motorist. o Sees Seifish Motive. “They would rob the highway fund and proclaim a road-building holiday, because there is no market for sub- division lots, anyway. When times were prosperous they were the ones who pressed hardest for every form of high- way improvement that would make | their lands more accessible, more useful and consequently more valuable.” While Mr. Henry's statement took thie form of an open letter to the Gov- ernor of Michigan and specifically re- ferred to proposals advanced in that State, the A. A, A. executive inferred that movement has its counterpart in many States and for this reason endangers the natlonal road- bullding program, its contribution to the solution of unemployment and at the same time provides an incentive for wholesale diversion of motor tax funds. ‘The reason, said Mr. Henry, why the motor tax is proving so attractive from the standpoint of general State revenue is that the motorists have provided for its concentration in the interest of efficlent road building, that they pay as they go, and that, unlike many ot taxes, motor levies cannot be concealed and delinquency in payment means that the car cannot be used. Hardships on Motorist. “A landowner may be delinquent and owe his taxes and still enjoy the full use of his property, but when the owner of an automobile has no money with which to buy a new license he and his family are prevented by law from using the vehicle until the tax is paild. Gov- ernment trusts the landowner, but makes the car owner pay C. O. D, “The efficiency in the spreading and collecting of motor taxes in this State is, in large part, responsible for the fasci- nation that the automobile revenues in aggregate have for every job holder and tax spender. There is only one collect- ing agency for motor taxes and there are at present the minimum number of disbursing agencies.” Comparing taxes in Michigan (where the tax approaches the average for the country), Mr. Henry declared that levies on the automobile, based on its average value over its lifetime, are now nearly five times greater than taxes on land of the same value and for the same period. ONE BILLION;OR ROADS for U. 8. Are Totaled. Practically a billion dollars will be expended on road construction and maintenance by the various State high- way departments in 1931, according to a statement prepared by the statistical service of the American Rcad Builders' Association, J. P, Cockey, statistician. Facts collected from the State high- way departments on actual expendi- tures for 1930 give a total of $908,070,~ 000. Expenditures estimated for 1931 amount to more than $955,000,000 with a number of State Legislatures still in session and road improvement pro- grams before them. This represents a 1931 Highway Development Costs| substantial increase in State highway work. ‘We have ready for demonstration, models of this nationally-known Cruiser, built cruising, deeg 22-feet to 6 for ocean or inland water -sea fishing or speedy commuting. 21 models: feet — every one constructed according to the incomparable Wheeler standards. We are uiso special agents for the marvelous Hackercraft Speed Boats and Cape Cod Sail Boats. Telephone for an appointment at once—the first step toward the happiest Summer you have ever had. The Washington Motor Boat 1741 Conn. Ave. N.W. Boat Club & Storage Basin: Water at N St. S.W, Showroom: Sales Agency Neighboring State Residents of For some years since the use of the automobile came into existence in this country there has been a widespread demand on the part of the public for the adequate financial support of these | of its members who have been killed or maimed by the negligent motorist. | ‘The problem has been one of affording | maximum relief to the injured with the | minimum expense to the public. In accordance with this growing need | various States throughout the country | have enacted so-called financial re- sponsibility laws with the object in view | of reducing to a minimum the per capita tax necessary to hospitalize and support the growing list of injured through the instrumentality of the ! automobile. It so happens that Mary- land is now one of these States. Clearly Defined. By an act approved April 17, last, adding 18 new sections to article 56 of the annotated code of Maryland, to be- come effective January 1, 1932, the obli- gation of the operator or car owner, both Tesident and non-resident, by way of proving his financial responsibility after his first accident in the State of Maryland is clearly defined. It is a fact of real importance to note that every District of Columbia motorist i or car owner immediately upon crossing the District Line into Maryland be- | comes subject to this act. In substance this act provides that after an accident involving a District of Columbia driver or car owner in which personal injury or property | damage or both is done in an amount | in excess of $50 and final judgment reraains unanswered following a period of 30 days subsequent to rendition of same, that the commissioner of motor vehicles is authorized to transmit to the non-resident offender’s resident State an abstract of the final judgment existing against him, together with written proof of his ability to respond in damages. On the failure of the motorist to furnish the latter the conse- quences are serlous, involving the strong possibility that he will be refused the privilege of driving in his home State, m well as having a judgment against im. Satisfactory Evidence. How, it may be asked, can the non- resident motorist furnish evidences of financial responsibility satistactory to meet the requirements of this new act? A glance at the act reveals the answer. It provides three methods of proof, viz: 1. Deposit by offender of $11,000 in cash or other collateral satisfactory to the commissioner of motor vehicles of the State of Maryland with the State treasurer (following first accident), ad- ditional evidence of responsibility to be furnished when demanded; or Milady’s January 1 Affects Washington. 2. A corporate surety bond, written by a company authorized to do business in Maryland. In lieu of such surety bond the authorities will a bond having two personal sureties owning real estate in Maryland. In the latter instance (bond with personal sureties) the bond is a lien in favor of the State on property owned by the personal sureties in Maryland, and so likewise a lien in favor of a judgment creditor. A right of action accrues subsequent to a 30-day unanswered judgment giv- ing an injured party a chance to sue in the name of the State of Maryland the offending party covered by the bond; or, 3. A policy of automobile Hability insurance acceptable to the State of Maryland. In connection with item 3 the insur- ance policy acceptable to the State com~ plies with the act if the carrier issuing it is licensed to transact business in Maryland. It is only when such c=rrier is not licensed to execute an insurance business in Maryland that the Maryland act specifically enumerates conditions to be met by the carrier for State recogni- tion of its policies of insurance. A further stipulation regarding the insurance and incorporated into the act generally is that indemnity in the amount of $5,000 be furnished for one injured, $10,000 for two or more, and that $1,000 be furnished to cover prop- erty damage. Now, just what are the requirements by the State of Maryland of insuring carriers not licensed by the State? They are these, viz: Maryland Requirements. (a) Execution by the carrier of & power of attorney author the com- missioner to accept service any ac- tion arising out of a motor accident in Maryland. (b) Adoption of a resolution by the carrier's executives to construe their policles to cover their assured’s while operating in Maryland. (c) Agree to accept as final any judg~ ment arising out of an accident occur= ring in Maryland if in the motorist's home State there is a similar law in effect to which the carrier gives due recognition. It can readily be seen that the easiest way for the non-resident motorist comply with the new financial respon sibllity act of Maryland is to secure sound indemnity in an insurance car- rier licensed to do business in Mary- land. Failure to do so would serious doubt, not only as to tial validity of his policy in the State question but even as important the serious item of the probable lial of his insuring carrier to help him should he get into distress, Motoring BY FREDERICK C. RUSSELL. The driver who says she never made a mistake starts making one the mo- ment she boasts. Observing a group of cats parked by women attent & social function, I could not help but note the high centage of color schemes that were all out of place for what might be termed formal motoring. A salesman tells me that the shrewdest woman buyers pick cars that have just enough swenk for the golf club, but which are toned down sufficiently for use on any occasion call- ing for a more formal mood. Just a matter of good taste. ‘Women who want to avoid having the car made unsightly during a light rain should keep off the main concrete high- ways as much as possible. On the best paved roads cars travel faster and toss up & fine spray of dirty water. 1t is possible for brakes to drag even | j if they have been properly Whether th:y are of the m usted and brake, there may be drag- ging. trouble in the case of me- chanical brakes is due to rusting of the actuating mechanism or trouble with return springs. Friend husband will probably stand out in favor of a moderate size trunk for the car’s luggage carrier, but head him off if you can. The history of mo- tor traveling is one long series of re- grets voiced by people who have g:r- chased und luggage. In days of long-distance travel it is neces-, sary to carry more clothing, and you can’t put it in two dinky suit cases. A convenience that appeals to any woman who sees it is a knob which, attached to one of the spokes of the steering wheel, becomes a steering aid. A woman can swing the wheels for a quick turn or make a parking space very comfortably with this gadget. Step pads should be bolted to the steel running boards and not cemented down. I was reminded of this by the case of a woman owner who was sued by a passenger who suffered a broken leg when a cemented pad slipped as the latter was alighting. After a number of washings the cement will allow the pad to loosen. Having once sung “Rings on my fin~ gers and bells on my toes,” many a woman is justified in wondering why there must be rings on the engine pis- tons. She hears a lot about rings from the garage man, and has spent her money for many a ring job. ‘Why isn't the piston sufficient for the engine? If it fits snug, why must rings added? ‘To understand this it is merely neces- sary to picture the average engine as it runs from one extreme of temperature to the other. Cylinders expand with heat; pistons likewise. There has al- ways been difficulty getting pistons and cylinders to expand at the same rate, and with pistons of a different kind of metal than the cylinders this is nat- urally an even greater problem. Here the rings offer the solution. Because they can compress and ex- | the pand in accordance with heat condi- tions, the rings provide a proper seal, whether the engine is starting or out lubrication ‘need running cool. ‘When you go traveling with your car, and if it has Juggage equipment on the rear, watch yourself when backing into its space in a public garage. It is easy i S R AT 2 In one resort hotel’s gal a n is set on the flooring to. stop the wlmnndwmmtiw damage. It is just as important to have the brakes looked over following a trip as to service them before starting out. Often excessive use of the brakes will i B et SRR MOTORING BILL CUT BY ROAD REDUCTION Shortening of Minnesota Highway Lengths Will Aid Autoists. ‘The economies that go with highway building are rrequwtiymio startling that they may be difficult to believe. For instance, Minnesota this year will reduce her trunk highway mileage by 11 miles through relocation of rights-of= way for concrete highways. ~ Estimat that the original roads carried 1. cars daily, as do many miles of Min- nesota trunk roads, the elimination of these 11 miles will save 11,000 miles of travel daily. In the course of a year more than 4,000,000 miles of travel will be saved. But reducing this saving to dollars, it becomes even more amazing. It costs about 7 cents a mile to operate the average car. At that rate Minnesota motorists will be saved $280,000 yearly by the 11-mile reduction. Minnesota recently approved a $15,- 000,000 bond issue for road improve- ment. This saving of $280,000 men- tioned above is nearly equal to half the interest on a bond issue of that size. ‘The 1931 road program in Minnesota also eliminates 52 sharp turns and nine railroad grade crossings. This is a noteworthy reduction in 3 The shortening of highways nearly always accompanies permanent pa programs, and strangely, this is one benefits rarely considered by the taxpayer when he goes to the polls to ~ vote on highway bond issues. The long- est way home may be the sweetest, but on the open road doing its top speed. [ MOTOR OIL_ “BEST OIL IN THE WORLD" ‘When your spark plugs become carbon-caked . . . fouled . . it's not their fault—but the fault of in- ferior motor That’s one of the reasons why motor car agents use and recommend Autocrat motor oil, which means less car- bon and greater durability. not the 3 cheapest. - You will drive longer upon AUTOCRAT than you have with lall the “look” and “feel” of an oil that has gone hardly 100emiles. AUTOCRAT—THE OIL THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM ALL _THERS, Beware of Substitutes Try Autocrat the next time you need oit, and judge its advantages for s@urself. At the Better Dealers . 3 FOREN [IPENNSYLVANIA| O1L >0