The Washington times., 1919-10-25
By l.. J. FAULKNER.

By L. J. FAULKNER.
The American Automobile Association certainly started
something when it inaugurated campaign against profit
eering in automobile repair charging The writer has
been deuged with criticism of this action both in praise
and censure 1t gratifying to find that the former
far oubaances the latter.
However, there seems to be misconception on the
part of few as to what this campaign really means This
writer holds brief either for the A. A. A for the
pair and this editorial is attempt to explain
tersey possible what the intention of the A. A. A. is
lnaugurating this propaganda.
There has been campaign of reformation start
cd that did not have its faults and there things
connected with this that rightly do not the ap
proVa OF ALL but these faults have to certain extent been
reced and all those interested rest assured that it
DOT the intent OF those behind the work the
dark or IN any to inure those innocent of the
charges made.
D. G. Not Badly Afflicted
AS stated in previous editorials Washington is not so
badly afflicted with repair pirates many other cities but
he isolated have been agrant and have been
tlced In such manner that it has reflected
upon the entire fraternity.
The Washington Automotive Trade Association con-
sseny advocated reasonable charge system long before
the affair taken up by the A. A. and the possession
OF the Association emblem has been indicative square
dealing by it's owner
But there of profteering by service stations
that were unknown until discovered by the automobile
representatives themselves In conversation few days
with distributor of of the popular cars on the
market, he stated that it had come to his knowledge
MS traVeHng representative that his
vice men charging for parts and service than
they should many these charges amounting to
than 100 per cent increase.
Excuses Offered Are Interesting
Investigation proved that in these isolated cases the
travelling representatives report was correct Drastic steps
Immediately taken to remedy the evil These stems
consisted of refusal to furnish any more cars to sub
agents who made practice of overchargn This had the
desired effect but the offered in several were
interesting 1t almost invariably, that it had been the
habit of other dealers town to do this and that the
scarcity of and the immense demand by automobile
for repairs for their old cars due to inability to
secure had made easy for them to obtain in
creased prices In other words they were charging what
the traffic would bear
This is really in nutshell the creed of all profeers
Wholesale and list prices ignored and the selling price
IS based the limit possible to obtain from customer
1t is safe to assume that there not in the city of
Washington than twenty repair shops guilty of fla
grant proteerng but these twenty, by their example
cause many people to condemn ALL
Campaign Bound To Do Good.
This is not fair, and any movement such as this one
that will bring the proteers or expose them
that their trade will suffer obviously good It NAV
have its faults and rough points, but the writer believes
that it has the solid Endorsement and backing of all re-
spectacle engaged in the trade.
The list of those whose prices are registered with the
A A is not open to the general public but only to mem
hers of the association and there is attempt the part
OF the association to state what prices shall be charged
long as they within the bounds of reason.
One particular representative of we-known car in
the city employs the highest class of wormen which can be
obtained and pays them very high wages They are expert
mechanics of of factory experience and obliged
IN to charge little higher than some others
but this could not to extent be called profteering The
real proteer is the who charges what he thinks he
get independent of the work done the material sup
piled
Should Get Universal Support
This movement cannot help but clarity matters and it
should receive the universal Endorsement of every one in
teresed In automotive matters Only good come from