Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18
EXPERTS AGREE
ON SAFETY PLANS
Low Center of Gravity and
Double Steel Construction
of Cars Urged.

Automobile clubs and other associa-
tons interested in the motor car from
the broad social standpoint back the
opinions OF health officials and profess
sors Of technology in answer to n
symposium conducted by Percival
White, New York engineer, on what
the ideal motor car should be Almost
unanimously in this third phase of his
survey, they affirm: That the develop
ment of motor car with an unusually
low center Of gravity, due to having
the body and frame in one solid unit
and double steel construction of the
body would he helpful factors in pro
ducing greater safety.
{. Il. Tracy, chairman of the board
Of directors of the Augusta Automobile
Club, Georgia, says.
II think safety and protection for
motorist and public could very Wei
be improved through the development
Of a motor car which would emphasize
safety through such features as a
lower center of gravity. produced
through having the body and frame in
A unit. | also agree that the double
steel construction Of the body would
be q helpful factor in producing great
or safety. ] believe a great deal Of
loss of life in a motor car accident ia
primarily due to the fact that the BODY
of cars is not as substantial as it
should be, and it does not require a
very great force Of contact to cause
the body to buckle or give"
Favors Double Steel Body.
H. X Naples. general manager of
The New York Automobile Club, SAYS:
II assume that double steel body
construction would he considerably
stronger than single construction even
with the same weight of material and
from this standpoint agree that in
principle would offer a decided inn
provement over present practice
Charles NJ. Hayes. president of the
Chicago Motor Club says: "A lower
hung car will hold the road better and
with less skidding or swaying than the
high type of car, and it does seem that
to develop a motor car with the cen
ter of gravity made lower even than
is now found on automobiles would
tend TO increase the safety of the
driver
C. e Miller, secretary of the Brews-
ter Auto Club of Brewster, Ohio, SAYS.
I'm view of the fact that the public
demands steel constructed railroad
cars and BUSES, it is reasonable that
they should demand steel construction
in automobile bodies"
A. NJ. Haines, president OF the
Youehiogheny Auto Club of Councils
vile, Pa, says: The body and frame
in a unit should he a helpful factor
in producing greater safety" while e
90 al - n
Carmel Motor Club of Mount Carmel
Pa. says: "A good steel construc-
ton would make matoring more safe.
Others Give Views.
In discussing the relative impor-
lance of certain features or qualities
Of automobile construction aimed to
At these needs r. A. Chase, secretary
of the Palm Beach County Motor
club Of West Palm Beach, Fla, and
the president of the Ocean County
Auto Club of Lakewood. y. j.. believes
low center of gravity" to be the ut
most importance: George l.. Simmons
manager of the Flint Automobile Club
of Flint, Mich, thinks Chassis and
body one strong unit" comes first: u,
A. Caldwell secretary of the Moor.
head Auto Club of Moorhead, MINI.
finds no excess material or weight"
of the utmost importance; the presi-
dent of the Auto Club of Rush City.
Mimi, puts good engine" at the head
of the list; the president of the Little
Falls Auto Club of Little Falls. n. y.
thinks good power per pound of car
weight" is most important; the presi.
dent of the Inland Auto Association
Of Spokane, Wash, gives first rank 10
easy riding" while good brakine"
heads the list according to the presi-
dent Of the Charleston Auto Club of
Charleston, ". Va. and the president
Of the Albany Automobile Club of Al
hany, \. Y.