Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-25
SMITH DISCOUNTS
AUTO GROUP ROW
American Motorists Asso-
citation Names ]. Borton
Weeks as Head.

War in the motor world. rumored
on the eve Of the organization of a
new national motoring body prcpos
ing to compete with the American
Automobile Association. is a most re-
mote possibility, according to Ernest
n. Smith, general manager of the
A. a. a. Speaking for the pioneer
association in the motor club field,
Mr.. Smith declared today that the
A. A. A. comedies the right of any
reputable agency to enter into COM
petition and in it's comment upon
the American Motorists Association
sought only to make the point that so
close a parallel in names was unfair
and unethical."
We are not so fatuous that we be-
lieve the American Automobile ASso"
citation has a monopolistic right in the
motor club field nor any especial privi-
itself" he said. I'VE do believe, how.
ever, that the American Automobile
Association has made reputation for
service that Justifies that it's name
shall stand apart. We think, further,
that fairness demands that any new.
conner into the field should stand fatty
upon the service it proposes to give
and carefully avoid, il only for selfish
reasons, an effort to paraphrase the
symbol of another organization"
There are a number of motor clubs
in various parts Of the country that,
for different reasons. are not eligible
for membership in the A. A. A. Mr..
Smith declares.
IF these clubs desire to form a ma
tional alliance. no one has the right
to question their action" he says.
Beck Issues Denial.
Speaking for the American Motor
lists Association. which opened it's or
ganization meeting at the New Will
lard Hotel today. Raymond Beck. gen.
eral manager, said:
I'VE regret the position of the
A. A. A. but must deny that there
was any effort on our part to para
phras its symbol. In choosing that
name of our organization we sought
one that would fit it's character best.
1t did not occur to any Of the sponsors
of the A. M. A. that there was any
unfairness in the selection, and we
cannot agree with the A. A. A. in its
We are incorporated un.
der the name of the American Motor
lists Association, our charter and by
laws have been drawn and approved,
and there the matter must rest"
The matter of similarity of the
names Of the two associations was
brought iii the foreground yesterday
in a statement issued by Thomas p.
Henry, in which it also was pointed
out that the new organization claimed
Motorists Association. On this point,
Mr.. Henry said:
For the sake of maintaining an
accurate perspective. which presumes
a full knowledge of all the facts. it
should be pointed out that the Ma.
tional Motorists Association, at one
time the chief rival of the American
Automobile Association in the field of
national motoring service, ceased to
exist in July of 1924 when the two
fused their strength at
an epoch-making conference in De-
troit. Thus ended the n. NJ. A. as
separate entity"
10 Delegates Attend.
In reference to the parallel in sym.
bols. Mr.. Henry declared that 1.-THE
letters "A. A. A. are a symbol Of
outstanding character; they aresa a
sign which, like ones family crest or
the sculptor's initiating, stands for
more than just three let
tiers of the alphabet; they have a
which has been built UP
since the early days of motoring; they
meant just about everything to the
of 1902, when first we organ
lied, and during the years of growth
side by side with the growth OF motor
ing as a national characteristic they
have gained increasing prestige and
At it's organization meeting this
which was attended by 40
Jesse c. Suter, president of
the Greater Washington Motor Club,
welcomed the visitors to the National
Capital. Judge Richard H. Lee of
New York presided at the session, and
after Mr.. Suffers address introduced j.
Borton Weeks, president Of the Key.
stone Motor Club of Philadelphia, who
outlined the purposes of the American
Motorists Association.
Weeks Chosen President.
In the election Of officers which fol.
lowed approval Of the bylaws Of the
Mr.. Weeks was elected to
the presidency Of the A. NJ. A. Others
elected were: First vice president,
William A. Thibodeau, Boston: second
vice president, 81 Mayer of Chicago;
third vice president, John r. Hartman
Of Seattle; fourth vice president, Daniel
Of New York; fifth vice
president, Charles H. Roth of Pitts
burgh; treasurer. Joseph H. Cox, New
York; secretary, Lin S. Hopes, Will
Del, and general manager,
Raymond Beck Of Washington.
Committee chairmen named include
Mr.. Suter. who will head the legisla-
tive board; Judge Lee, chairman of the
board of governors; Sidney S. Won
Loesecke of Boston, chairman Of the
touring board; DR.. Miller B. McClin-
took, chairman of the safety council,
and DR.. S. NJ. Johnson of Washington,
chairman of the good roads COM
mittee.
AS general manager, Mr.. Beck, who
IS secretary of the Greater Washington
Motor Club, will have charge of the
national offices Of the A. NJ. A, which
will be located in Washington.
The convention will close this eve-
ming.