Evening star., 1924-01-03
AUTO men READY
FOR 1924 EXHIBITS
Expect to Boost Sales by
New Safety Devices and
Stronger Machines.
GREATER COMFORT, ALSO
Increased Road Capacity and Bet
ter Brakes Aim OF
Engineers.
GREATER COMFORT, ALSO
BY j. c. ROYLE.

special Dispatch 10 ne Stai-
NEW YORK, January S.-The New
York automobile show. which Will
omen this year January :, is supposed
to present 1.-The last word in auto
mobile construction, but many of the
new devices. which will be presented
for the first time. promise to arouse
considerable conversation throughout
the year. Safety and comfort are the
~atchwords which have dominated
the engineering forces of the motor
companies in preparing for the 1874
campaign, This has been true to
such an extent that the New York
show might almost be called an au-
tomobile safety exhibit.
Safer Travel Main Aim.
The terrific congestion Of traffic is
mainly responsible for directing ac-
tivity into safety lines. Nearly every
manufacturer Will appeal to the pup.
lie taste and to dealer ia sagaSi,,s gsrins >
thought designed to make autonoss
bile traffic faster smoother, safer anu
more comfortable. =
The. increasing OF road caPac,,y ;,, r;otor ,r
one of the most vital factors IN motor
transportation today. 1t Is estlnat;eu ave.
!, that il ten automobiles in a given city
block are so equipped that eacn can
StOD Sa1ely III three Cdi
OF eight or ten, the available driving
area will be dou bled. hoo,
The Introduction of the four wheei
brake mechanically operated mas served
necessities for flexibility and safety, ana
it will be shown at the coming snow
that inquiries have spread from this
along numerous other lines
Stronger Bumpers Made.
Bumpers offer one example Whereas
these adjuncts formerly have oeen iasn,
ioned out of light fiat steel and poiteo
, 10 car frames. some now are belng oe-
signed by engineers to Withstand SIDE
thrusts and pressure from above or De-
low the car. 80
One bumper manufacturer will offeI
a device designed by bridge engineer
which involves complete change IRON
former practice. Another car will be
shown on which the bumpers are an
integral part of the chassis. However
they are so designed that the force ol
collision will not warp the frame' as
the bumper will give way before the
frame Is endangered.
The Strengthening of closed bodies
also will be eXemplified at the show
The principles of the all steel rall.
road coach have not been followed
in their entirety, but the same OBJ
jective has been sought that is t6
make the car body so strong that 1r
collision the top and sides will not
crush the occupants.
Stronger Wheels n Feature.
Stronger wheels will be another
attraction. One maker, after ex-
perimenting with steel wheels fol
some years, has decided to present
at this show a new style wooden
wheel as offering the greatest safety
The engineers responsible for the de-
sign have decided that while wheels
must be strong enough to withstand
all ordinary strains, they must be
weak enough to give way when the
car skidS into a curb or other OBJ
struction and SO prevent the capsiZ-
ing of the vehicle.
It seems evident from advance in
formation that both mechanical and
hydraulic four-wheel brakes will be out
Standing features of some Of the new
offerings, but considerable investigation
and Improvement of the two-wheel
brakes has been going on. Several man
ufacturers will show models on which
the braking surface has been doubled.
Others will offer models equipped with
larger tires, claiming that when accom-
panied with efficient brakes these will
add to control.
Already Thinking of 1925.
Another engineering advance to be
shown will be in stronger steering mech
auisms. Spindles and front axles have
been designed to withstand greater
jolts, ard improved fabrication has been
provided to prevent undue wear and
consequent weakness.
But while the public is visiting the
show and looking at the new" develop
ments for 1924, the engineers will be
already at work creating devices which
they are planning for 1925.