The Washington herald., 1909-06-27
MOTORING ETIQUETTE
By The Social Arbiter.


All the books on etiquette are out OF
date because they do not deal with the
problems that have grown out OF the m
PRODUCTION in social and commercial life
OF the many devices that mark the first
decade OF the twentieth century. motor
cars and motor boats, for instance. dirigi-
bic balloons. and aeroplanes. This may
appeal TO some as a ridiculous point 20
make. but the letters that come TO The
Arbiter's desk show that the want OF
some standard authority 10 which appeal
can be made in case OF dispute or igno-
rance is already felt
When bicycles first came in they were
a constant menace 70 life and limb. and
It was years before those who rode them
and those who feared them learned the
laws which governed the use OF these ma
chimes. It Is the same now with auto
mobiles. The 10y rides kill. kill. kill
and in looking over the morning paper
one Is sure to be shocked not with the
account Of one, but Of several tragedies
that follow In the wake Of the dread
motor. II Is so unnecessary. this killing
and manning. so easily avoided If the en-
thusiastic motorists could be induced 10
obey the laws that have been made IN
their own interest. as well as In the in
terest OF those who walk or drive.
The man with the car would bristle
was indignation II ne were judged capa-
hle OF murder, yet he Will run his ma
chine at full speed through crowded
streets. through country villages. along
the roads where others are a-plessuring.
and when a life is ground out under the
wheels Of his machine even the law ad-
judges him guilty OF manslaughter, no
matter with what sorrow and contritiOn
he regrets the act: but the man with the
car has fat bank account and he never
gets by way OF punishment what Is Justly
his due, for he can buy OF his prosecu-
tors. settle with the bereaved families,
and go on his way moving down human
beings as he goes There Is, however, a
marked change for the better IN the con-
duct OF those who own and run motor
cars. Just as the bicyclists were edu-
Gated. so they are being taught, and there
has been a marked change IN the send-
ments and point of view OF chaufIeurs
since the use Of cars became so general.
There is hardly need for laws 10 govern
the few aeroplanes now IN use. but be-
fore long they will so sailing about In
the air IN as great numbers as the motors
Of to-day. II is not so very long ago
-
scientists even. impracticable. and it was
predicted that II successful cars were ever
built they would be mere playthings for
the rich; but every day sees them more
and more in use and In the commercial
world the faithful old horse will soon be
a tradition. No one believes that the air
ships viii ever supersede the motors.
but they will have a sphere Of their own,
and some time in the future the heavens
viii be crowded with aerOplanes OF the
plutocrats who VIII make parties. con
duct races. and disport themselves in
ways undreamed OF now In the ether
Balloons are stln regarded throughout
the country as a huge joke and Mr.. Hay
seed Is apt TO put his pitchfork through
one II he finds II reposing on his land. and
consider the havoc he makes as great
fun. and small boys will continue 70
throw stones and pot hunters 10 shoot
at balloons until they are taught better.
Now that there are such frequent aerial
fights. Il would be well 10 distribute
pamphlets among the rural population
lnstructing them how they should deal
with the sudden and unlimited guest who
may descend in the midst Of their corn
fields.
But It is useless to anticipate the in
lay down laws for the people who viii
use them. II is motor car etiquette about
which a Boston woman writes me- IF
one invites two or three friends for a
few days trip. Is the host or hostess sup
posed TO provide all the meals for her
guests" she asks. 4 person who would
ask such n question must have had very
little social experience. When you take
f~- H.
as much obligation 10 entertain them as
though they were your guests in your
house. for you are the hostess. no mat
ter whether you preside over a mansion
or a machine II would be counted ex-
traordinary, surely. 10 expect the friends
you have invited 20 your house to pro-
vide their own meals, and II is just as
extraordinary TO expect those you have
invited for a trip In your car to look out
for their own food. It is usual however,
especially when there are men in the
party, for those guests who feel inclined
and can afford Il 10 entertain the hostess
and her other guests at breakfast, dinner.
or luncheon. as they may be inclined and
as opportunity offers.
I was a member Of a party that started
out from Boston late last summer IN two
machines. There were ten Of US in all,
not including the chauffeurs, and II was
the brightest gayest party l ever hap
pened TO be associated with. The men
were all wealthy. with the exception Of
this poor scribe. and we flew around the
New England pleasure ground. dining
here, there. and everywhere. The men
who did most Of the entertaining would
telephone ahead. and wherever we ar
rived we were sure 10 find the cream OF
the lerder and most excellent service
awaiting US. We visited. OF course, a
number OF country houses, and the well
come we received at these recalled the
old stage-coach days when there was no
affectation in the Joy people felt in re-
ceiving the friends who had travelled
days often and with much inconvenience
10 visit them. It has been said, and with
truth. that people thrown together on an
ocean voyage become better acquainted
In the few days it takes to cross than
they would be IN as many years meeting
IN the drawing-roomS and dining-rOOms
Of society
But people grow 10 know each other bet
ter after q week or two passed on a mo-
tor car trip than after several crossings.
They grow to know each other and 10
love or hate each other. as the case may
be. for not even at a poker table are
personal characteristics so markedly shown
as when enjoying the pleasures and SUI
fering the inconvenience of a long jaunt
IN a machine. When our party separated
II was with genuine regret. and we all
vowed we would Ike TO take the same
trip over again; but If we had gone on a
single day longer together we might have
separated as enemies, some Of US, at
least. snd have forfeited the pleasant
memories that viii illumine our whole
lives,
That was model trip. and while un-