French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-03-30
WOULD FORM CLUB
OF LOCAL MOTORISTS
MATaER OR ORGANIZATION BEING DISCUSSED BY
CAR OWNERS. r
NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Are Powers for GOOd-Essental Fa lures Outlined Stand for Square Deal
All Around.

All
The matter of forming an Gutomo-
bile association is being agitated
among local motorists, and bids fair t.
bear fruit before the spring is over. Sew
erai car owners have talked the sub
ject over informally and are gathering
information as to the good results to
be obtained by forming a representa-
tive body of motor enthusiasts in Hen
Jacksonville. There is everything to be
gained and nothing to be lost by such
an organization, and the matter is TAX
ing strong hold upon the minds of the
local brethren"
There are a number of national and
| state automobile associations in exist
ance. The largest and best known Of
| these is the American Automobile As
soc1ation. This body was first form
ed in 1902 by a few enthusiastic a
users. On the first of January 1916
the Association had a membership Of
nearly 100000, subdivided into over
500 state and local clubs, besides which
there are many individual members in
the several states. 1t may be readily
JUUS0u 1TOW IASS0 uSuEOS IAdL W sc
a body of men associated together for
mutual benefits and helpfulness must
be O power in the motor world. There
are a number of avowed objects which
the Association is after. among which
may be mentioned, proper legislative
enactment, good roads, route and tour
ing information, sports. and social
features.
Equitable Legislation.
Some of the greatest benefits that
have been derived from the association
of so many motorists in clubs have
been in the field of legislation. One of
the prime objects of these orsaniza-
tons Is to work in a legitimate way
for the enactment of equitable and
uniform laws effecting the use OF
motor cars. In some communities
there have been obnoxious and dis
eliminating laws passed against mo-
~tcrtsts, and the weight of the AEsocia-
ton has been thrown against all such
laws. When recently there was a
strong sentiment in Congress TO put
additional and discriminating /
national tax on automobiles in Or
der to raise further revenues for
the government, the automobile 2Sso-
throughout the country made
strong representations to Congress
such legislation, and it 5 be-
lieyed saved the day. In some cities
the traffic laws have been harsh and
drastic, and in such cases local clubs |,
lave done much to have matters
Strengthened out. No small amount OF
credit is due motor associations for
the turning back in part to the state
road funds a part of the special auto
mobile taxes collected in the different
i
Good Road Boosters. /
The members of the national auto
associations are all sworn good
cad boosters. They are working in
their communities, in their states and
In tie national legislative halls for the
building of more good roads and the
OF such as we already
When the recent bill for d
Federal appropriation for highways.
as the Sackelford bill, was be-
Congress the American Automo-
bile ASSOCIATION, and others, took a
prominent part in urging that the gov
eminent take ONE immediate action
IN the building Of highways in those
WulCu WOC1u many oppAOPAA"
tons for the work. The bill has not
been finally disposed of. but there
a good chance for it to pass
carrying an appropriation Of $50 GOOO,-
900 for the building and maintenance
roads. Within the states the associ-
have been more active
than now in the matter of 3ecYfing
funds for the building of roads,
Members Are Policemen.
Every member Of an automobile
club is a rigid observer of traffic laws
in his community. He keeps the laws
others to keep the laws. The source
Of the greatest complaint against au-
tomobilists is that they dc not observe
the ordinary rules of the road They
nenopolize the road; speed dangerous
~ at times in crowded sections; use
poor judgment in passing teams along
til, roads, and in other ways Jus
Just resentment and prejudice against |
1t is the avowed purpose /
OF every one enrolling in these associ-
atoms to keep these elementary laws
hiTaself, and to report those who are
violators of the law. On the
other hand, they are to report that !
Gil pei 0OAS IL oAS hHNO"h W =
fere wilfully with motorists. In short,
the members are banded together to |
give and receive a square deal" +
The Making of Maps.
Another of the leading objects of /
car associations is the securing -.
Of accurate information as to routes
both interstate and intra-state. The
proper handling of such information is :
a crying need at this time, and it is |
by. the cooperation of the. local clubs
that the present mass of misinforma-