Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-19

annual opportunity W 'anN 0'O~N
and see where it stands. The pres
ent wear opened with exceptional
enthusiasm. ran into a negligible
wave Of peSsimism. shot INTO md
Summer madness and is ending up
with an optimistic note. 1t is agreed
generally that it has been an amaz-
ing motor year. but all are asking
What Of 1927;
Much can he learned. however. by
brief survey Of the experiences OF
this wear. as well as in former years.
Not everything that has been pre-
dicted has come true.
Why?
One analysis shows it is because
those WHO seek to draw conclusions
or make predictions fail 10 consider
the underlying trends of progress.
This is exceptionally we'll illustrated
in the matter of installment buying,
so severely condemned by many
men OF prominence. so vigorously
upheld by men Of foresight. 1t was
predicted that the automobile in
dustrv would crash on the rocks of
overextended credit, Many excellent
arguments were advanced IN sup
port Of this belief, but apparently
few considered the fact that the
automobile now is available to every
man or woman who is willing to
work
OF course, credit has undergone
adjustment What piece of mocha
nism can operate perfectly without
A bit of tinkcring on the part of its
operator? The new year Will start
with the industry and the business
men of the country sold on the i'm
portance of credit buying of motor
transportation, and all because 1926
has taught another lesson.
Truly, 1926 has been a great in
structor. 1t has demonstrated that
no matter how solidly entrenched
the so-called standard makes of cars
are, nor how successful they are, it
is possible III any year to bring out
A new car that will break all first
year production records.
The current year has demonstrated
that so long as the automobile keeps
ultramodern and offers the public
something it wants, the prospective
glut of the used-car market cannot
hold back production.
1t has demonstrated that there is
no outstanding preference for any
size of car, any number of cylinders,
any type of body, any color scheme;
any type of engine or any price
class.
1t has revealed that bad motor
year does not have to follow q good
one, that the unforgiveable sin in
manufacturing is cutting corners on
quality and that companies, ably
managed, can stage come-backS.
One of the most important things
It has demonstrated is that despite
all trends, movements, opinions and
legislation, the matters of parking,
traffic and safety are moving slowly,
but surely. in definite directions
and toward progress.
The increasing use of the motor
bus in cities is speeding up trathcs
because motor busses, unlike street
cars. can work without excessive
blocking of traffic. America is NOV
ing out from the congested centers
so that people can use their cars
and live; and business is moving out,
too. This is not going to leave es-
eential downtown business high and
dry. Rather it will hasten the de-
velopment of adequate arteries of
downtown motor travel with conven-
fence in stopping before any edifce
and provision for parking via stor-
Sge.
Who can review 1920 without ap-
preciatinE that traffic control is be
coming automatic. with the human
element submerged to point where
there is less and less misplaced in
kiividuaiism at intersections. Where
the convenience of the whole is de-
pendent upon the complete co-opera-
tion of its every unit there IS no
.countenancing individualism, for a
klash of wills is an annoyance 10 all
ietreet users. :,
Also the year has demonstrated
Hnew the fallacy of equation.
! Be the predictions for the coming
tvear what they will. the laws OF
! human behavior tell Us that when
the pendulum has swung its fun
length in one direction it will 60
Just as far in the opposite direction:
The safety situation. as analysed
by those who believe that natural
laws mold al these matters and who
can point to 1920 as evidence Of IT,
IS following the lines Of social evo-
hutton. The public has not as yet
reached the point where il is con-
WINGED that to survive is TO be care
ful This IS a conviction reserved
for growing generation. as is well
illustrated by the frequent observa-
tion that young child will manifest
more intelligence crossing the street
than middle aged man or woman.
Frequently the theory is advanced
that parking will pass out of the
picture. because there is no room
20 accommodate everybody, and mo-
florists will not spend the money re-
quired for downtown storage. No
intelligent prophet will hazard any
such prediction for the coming year,
for he knows that the Nation, as
well as the world, IS stepping on to
en- era OF greater intelligence IN
solving the problem OF finding
stopping place for its automobiles.
What OF 1922"
The answer TO that lies in the an
swer to What of 1926" and the years
before? The laws OF human be-
bavior and OF. evolution are the best
guide to the immediate future in
Rutomobiledom. Motordom is going
ahead; not back. 1t is part OF the
modern world and follows its gen
oral course.
If YOU want TO test the numerous
predictions that will he made be
tween now and showtime. match
.Ln., ,~.;,,s4 ,be hyoad md mare 70