Evening star., 1924-02-25
AUTO BODIES UNITE
AFTER 2-YEAR WAR
,Three-Week Conferences Re.
suit in Merger of A. A. A.
). and N. N. A.

Year war which has been raging be-
tween the American Automobile AS
sociation and the National Motorists
Association, representative motoring
organizations of America. was reach
ed yesterday when u consolidation
was effected following conferences
-asttnS more than three weeks. The
conference which brought about the
agreement was held all day yester-
day at the Raquet Club and did not
snd until well past midnight.
Since plans fer the consolidation
were worked out by the presidents
and many Il the leading officials of
6he TWO organizations. it is expect
vidual clubs will promptly vote their
approval
According to the tentative agree
1nent the combine is to be known as
The New American Automobile As
soCiation.
The uniting OF the n. NJ. A. and the
N. A. A. gives to motorists by far the
most powerful official spokesman
tntE nave ever known and brings to
realization the dreams of Il day when
Inc car owners of the land can speak
with mighty and authoritative voice
III behalf of their interests, il was
pointed out today in a statement.
Ihe new organization will be
composed of nearly 200 state and
local clubs embracing more than a
million members.
The folly of continuing their isepa-
rate ways was brought home forcibly
10 the officials of both organizations
an particular by the indifference of
the House ways and means commit
leo to the motorists pleas for re-
ntoval of some of the excise taxes on
motor vehicles, and particularly the
tax on parts and repairs.
These latter taxes are considered
especially unjust, and it is believed
that they would have been eliminated
at first consideration of tax reduc-
ton had the motoring interests of the
country leen properly united in their
oArressions of objection to the con-
tinuatlon of the five excise war taxes
on motorists.
while many of the details of the
combine are yet to be perfected. the
, main points have been definitely
agreed upon.
The way to consolidation was made
easy in the beginning by a prompt
agreement to proposal that the con-
sitution and bylaws Of both organ
ilatonS be eliminated and new one
written, thereby forming a virtually
new association.
The new constitution and bylaws,
already written and approved. in
c9rporated the best thoughts of the
old together with some valuable ad-
ditions in keeping with the ever
changing conditions in the motoring
world and the requirements of the
individual car owners.
tn: governing board of the new
organizat tion will be an executive
committee of seven members.
1T was unanimously agreed that
Thomas P. Henry of Detroit, who has
been president of the A. A. A. since
last May and who is credited largely
with effecting the consolidation, shall
continue at the head of the new or
gahization.
1T was also unanimously agreed
that Judge Walter d. Meals of Cleve-
land, who has been president of the
n NJ. 4. since its formation two
years ago, shall become chairman Of
the board of directors of the new
organization.
,.Fractically aHtof the men who
organizations will be chosen for high
offices in the new association.
Chief among these is Fred H.
Galley of Cleveland, who was active
in forming the n. NJ. A. and who
without salary for two years. Mr..
Galley will probably become secretary
of thc new y. \. \.
William Cllman. who for nearly
eight years was Washington secre--
the American Mctorist, and later pub
licity director of the y. NJ. a., will
become publicity director of the new
orga niZatiou.
THE. negotiations which led TO the
consolidation were conducted by the
following, acting for the executive
boards OF their respective organiza- !
tionS:
2 "Representing the National Motor
lists Association: Judge Walter D.
land, Js Borton Weeks of Phila- |
dcfphia, III. NJ. Lucius of Baltimore,
Henry l.. lost and Donald Latschaw
cf Kansas City and Alexander john |
son of Louisville.
Representing the American auto
mobile Association: Thomas p. Henry,
Col Sidney Waldon and William Z.
Netzger of Detroit. Robert +. Hooper
of Philadelphia. Frank e. Jack of
chicago and Maj. Roy F. Britton of
St Louis.
Negotiations Harmonious.
I'm entering into negotiations for a
harmony prevailed from
was proposed on a fifty-fifty basis
Equal strength is given to the new
association by the old organization,
each having about $50 clubs with
approximately the same membe rShip. |
II am proud of the sanity, the
Willingness of all to meet like men
with Supposed enemies, and the spirit
OF sefte Placement that prevailed when
we got together said Judge Meals !
:ftcr1 agreement had been reached.
Not man was thinking of himself,
hut rather of those he represented.
-lll iii all, much good has been accom-
plished.'
II am supremely happy declared
PRESIDENT Henry. This day has been
my goal since / took Office We
might have done this long ago had
only known that Judge Meals does
not wear horns and that he has been
2s earnest and as honest as I thought
] had been. AS president of the New
American Automobile Association I'm
going TO be a mighty proud man.
And with the help of the men and the
strength of the clubs that make up
tho new organization. l can promise
he car owners of the country in fulI |
the service they have always wanted
and expected from their national or
ganiZation.'
The arrangement will be imme-
II ately referred to the clubs of each
of the national organizations for their
approval