The Washington herald., 1922-10-25

- in its own automobile Only the natural
caution OF conservative people stands in the way
OF this condition today. The evolution of the
tor vehicle is approaching the point where this
means OF transportation will be common, and
much OF a necessity, gas lights electric
lights. The average woman of ten years
from now. venture to predict, will
think of riding in street than the average
man woman OF today thinks OF going downtown
in cart drawn by a jackass.
AS street riding becomes more expensive
automobile riding becomes cheaper. Not a few
conservative thinkers believe that the point al.
ready ha- Joen reached where it is less expensive
10 travel in family than an electric line
This question, must admit, still is open to de-
bate. Street railway statisticans, doubtless.
present cumbersome of statistics to prove
that The opposite is true When the added COM
forts and conveniences of the automobile are taken
into consideration OF course there is no room
foI question But wish to approach the prob
iem from the angle OF visible tangible copper
pennies and nickel scent coins. 1t is demo-
cratic proposition-to be discussed most effectively
in terms OF democratic amounts OF money.
Let consider the individual man or woman
who lives in Brookland. for example, and works at
the Veterans Bureau. He or She we will take
for granted, is monastic by temperament and
never leaves home at night There is, then oc-
casion for only two rides daily-to the Office
and from the office. After submitting to the nuis-
ance OF purchasing tokens this man or woman can
ride for IS cents each day. oI cents each week. or
S473z each year. We must admit that in this in
stance, the street is cheaper. The amount of
fare each year would about balance the cost Of
gasoline, without taking into consideration such
items tires, inner tubes wear and tear on parts
taxes and depreciation.
But the man or who lives in Brook
land and comes to the of the city only once
daily IS the exception. The average we believe
comes twice-wth doubled expenditure for car
fare. The figures then tell different storv-al-
though still in favor OF the traction company if
such items comfort, convenience etc. are left
out OF consideration altogether. The man or
woman OF today docs not maintain such
outlook on life
But now we must take into consideration the
average family OF four with home in Brookland
Two members. let US say are employed at the
War Department, is a clerk at a downtown
department store, and third attends Central
High School The cost of street car fares for
this family IS multiplied four times. The cost OF
automobile transportation stays the same We will
assume that they all arc monastic by tempera-
ment-never leaving the hresidc after dinner
Street tokens would cost this family Se1S 10
a year The cost OF gasoline and motor oil for
the ordinary automobile which made the trip from
Brookland and return once each day. experts tell
US. would be about IL cents-taking into consid-
Grafton the extra amounts used when driving in
tratfc-or S4368 year. The family has lett
SIol-72 The cost of tires and repairs for one of
the more substantial cheap cars according to
reputable garage proprietors, will amount to about
$50. II the owner is somewhat of a mechanic
himself the cost need not be so great This leaves
$II472 We will aside $40 OF this for taxes
leaving SIo4.72 for depreciation in value OF
have tall
possibility of accident-which will be eliminated
by careful driving The ordinary car used with
care will not drop SIoo in value in year. There
IS an actual saving for this family of four over the
cost OF street car tokens We will admit that one
must figure closely in order to arrive at this say
ing-but it is by means impossible
We have LETT out of the calculation entirely
some OF the most important items in favor of the
automobile. 1t is highly probable that members
of this family OF four will desire to come down
town oftener than once a day. Some OF them.
perhaps, will make the trip every eveninc-eavine
very large percentage of actual dollars and
pennies to the credit of the We have to con-
Sider moreover, the weekend trips. the frequent
visits out of town. the enormous saving in time
the extra hours of sleep, the extra hours at the
breakfast table. the hours at the hresde the
increased comfort the decreased outlay for the
family physician All these are worth thinking
about-although it is difficult to estimate in pennies
day. On the whole we have no hesitation in
advising the ordinary Brookland family to pur
chase car priced according to their means this
fall. We urge them to make this purchase as an
nvestment-not a luxury.
For year or two yet, it is possible, the street
car company may be able to present imposing
contrary statistics in terms of copper. 1t cannot
OF course. present any brief whatsoever in terms
of comfort. convenience and good health
Rnf tbesa rafr
tidewater which will wipe antiquated methods
OF transportation. The automobile makers and the