Evening star., 1919-09-25
Of AUTO
REPAIR PR0F|TEERS
Washington Division of A.A.A.
Plans to Curb Evil Prac-
tices "Within Law y
Mr.. ULLMAN ASKS AID

Believing that some local automo-
bile repair shops are taking advan-
tage of present day conditions to
make excessive charges for work and
that profiteering is being widely
practiced. the Washington division of
the American Automobile Association
is formulating plans to circumvent
the scheming of certain mechanics
and to provide protection for its mem
bers as well as motorists generally.
Following a long list of complaints.
definitely stated, Secretary Ullman
has asked Judge Martin A. Knapp,
chairman of the clubs advisory board.
to name committee OF experts from
the organization to investigate local
conditions and charges and in turn
make a report to the proper authori-
ties. This committee will include both
highest order.
According to the stories told to Sec
retary Ullman by club members. the
automobile repair proflteers make the
food and clothing profiteers appear as
philanthropists: One case is cited
wherein Washington woman. owner
of high-priced automobile. sought
to have certain repairs made and to
get price on the work in advance.
Not only was she unable to get a
price named, but she could not even
get an estimate on the work.
Forced to rely on the integrity of
the repairer, she left her car. Some
time later she was notified that her
car was ready and would be delivered
upon the payment of the attached
bill. amounting to $3.50.
z Thia n r irrr1aP inh ancorHipS IN
Secretary Ullman. could not be
brought up to $Ss2 by the most elastic
imagination.
Many Other Complaints.
This woman is one of many who
have presented well defined cases to
the club" says Mr., ullman. we, have
~sil vi fsusnssd III ii sad nave % heard many nv
saaaed. 1ss S So for a1ut5 IL. 0s most sss pars
there has bsen considerable intelH-
ssSnssa sS,sa sfa sRa srts ysry lttls vindict'ysnsss
So that al injustie4 shalt ~ done
Washfngton,4 feDutAble servicS Sta
tions, and hOneAt and conscieatious
repair men, We shall ask every local
member OF the a. A to give % both
havfnx M work done soii their cars: VS.
shall make 1t clear that they must
xiye complete Information, togather
with names and addresses, their own
and their repairman'A. and be pre-
pared to back up all charges.
Thus we expect to identify the
nail the pronteer. The names Of the
former will be posted at club head
quarters. while the names Of the lat
ter, together with the findings of our
COMMITTEES Of legal and mechanical
experts, will be given into the proper
hands for the proper attention"
Nay Register All Complaints.
According to the. club secretary. the
organization will. also delve into
Various other complaints made against
repafrers, and Earagemen, such as
making unnecessary repairs. using
patrons automobiles. for joy-riding,
towing ETC.
I EVERY possible effort viii be made
to apprehenu and to punish those men
who misuse other peoples motor cars: !:
men who are meaner than the out
and-out automobile thief because they
violate trust imposed by their GUS
TONER'S" declares Mr.. U11nlan. ITO
the credit Of the garagemen, let 1t be
said that charges against them are
few and far between. Washington
garages today. for the most part, are
thoroughly trustworthy.
To-day courts throughout the land
are dealing the severest punishment
to the common, garden variety of
automobile thieves and joy-riders
when brought to trial; 1t is now up
to the motor clubs to expose to view
and prosecute whenever possible the
thief Of motordom who operates with