Evening star., 1927-03-23
400 MOTOR CLUB
IOFf|CERS CONVENE
Hoover to Address Third An
nuaI Session Today-WilI
.I & Adjourn Friday.

With a review of the inception and
progress of the Nationwide safety
movement by Secretary of Commerce
Herbert Hoover scheduled for later
session today, more than 400 delegates
from motor clubs of the American
Automobile Association gathered Tor
their third annual conference this
morning at the Willard.
Manifold problems confronting the
increasing body of motor owners ana
motor users of the country will be dis
cussed from every angle during the
three-day session. Among these are
such questions as the practice of Of
ficials of the lower courts in certain
sections profiting personally from
fines imposed, the attitude of the
country at large toward compulsory
automobile insurance, plans for pledS-
ing representatives in Congress to
the repeal of the 8 per cent war excise
tax on cars, and ways and means 10
combat the operations of f1y-by-night
organizations.
Ernest Smith Presides.
The opening session was called to
order by Ernest n. Smith general
manager of the American Automobile
Association, who directed the order of
business at once to discussion OF or
ganization problems. He introduced
representatives of the three clubS
which had showed the highest mem
bership gains for the last year. The
keynote of their reports gave empha-
sis to service as the most effective
means of success for the motor club.
They outlined the manner in which
the various bodies of organized mo-
torists may assist the automobllist
through touring services, issuance OF
maps to direct their travels, main
tenance of legal departments to coun-
sci motor users in their difficulties.
and the operation of emergency road
service to provide mechanical assist
ance to the stranded car.
Officials reporting for the 10 clubs
comprised D. Z. Watkins. California
State Automobile Association; w. S.
Gilbreath, Detroit Automobile Club:
Fred Galley, Cleveland Automobile
Club; Douglas Shelor, Automobile
Club of Washington; Howard Brown,
Chicago Motor Club; A. E. Mittendorf,
Cincinnati Automobile Club; William
Jensen, Lackawanna Motor Club; c.
". Roberts, Carolina Motor Club; w.
s. Bro, Columbus Automobile Club.
Thomas p. Henry, PRESIDENT. and
Charles G. James, secretary of the
A. A. A, addressed the luncheon
3
progress and aims of the organization.
Strickland Gillian gave a humorous
talk on What 1 Hate About Motor
Clubs" Mr.. Smith presided.
Horner Gives Address.
dealer Cooperation With Motor
Clubs" was the topic of Stanley H.
Horner, president Of the Washington
Automotive Trade Association, at the
general afternoon session. Mr.. Hor-
ner is a member of the advisory
board of the District division of the
A. A. A. A talk on publicity for the
activities and plans of motor clubs
was given by A. j. Montgomery,
A. A. A. director of publicity. Dai H.
Tribute was paid to Secretary
Hoover today by President Henry.
Characterizing Mr.. Hoover as "the
father of the safety movement in
America" Mr.. Henry declared that
ito the impulse he has given through
the two great national conferences
organized as a result of the initiative
and foresight, is due a considerable
part of whatever progress has been
made toward the solution of the press
Ing problem Of street and highway
safety in America"
AT the sessions, which viii continue
through Friday, consideration will be
given to the part the A. A. A is
playing in the vigorous prosecution
or the safety program and in further
Ing OF proposals for increasing safety
winch have been presented to current
sessions OF State Legislatures.