Evening star., 1927-08-28
MOTORING
WILLIAM ULLMAN.
One place where nothing ever
the sign Emergency, No Parking"
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.

M number of automobiles III
Wv operation, and their con-
sequentiy heavy demand
for fuels and oils, there has arisen
in ali cities the problem OF fitting the
filling stations into the general archi-
tectural scheme of things. In some
sections of the country there have
been definite abuses in this connec-
ton, in others filling station opera
tors have been compelled to main
tain certain standards of design
while in still others handsome edi-
fees and layouts have been arranged
through the civic pride of the opera
tors themselves. and still elsewhere
an average condition is encountered
SO far as Washington is concerned
it must be said in all fairness that its
filling stations. generally speaking,
do not violate the beauty of the city
and are in keeping with the plan
which visualizes the National Capital
as the most outstandingly handsome
city in the world.
OF course, there are some filling
stations within the District of Colum-
bia which not only fail to add any
thing in the way of attractiveness
but definitely detract from the city's
inherent beauty. Such stations are
characterized by poor approaches,
unpainted or cheaply and garishly
painted structures and a general at
mosphere of dirt and CRIME.
The majority of Washington's fill
ing stations exemplify the theory
that a measure of beauty may be in
corporated with distinct utilitarian-
ism without in any way sacrificing
the latter essential. In former years
a service station was thought one
place which necessarily was dirty
and unattractive. Today it usually
is the case that the best and most
efficient stations are the cleaneSt and
most attractive.
Thoughtful filling station operators
years ago began adapting their places
of business to the spirit and atmos-
phere of the community, while today
the stations which are being erected
quite generally are in keeping with
this general idea. 1t is most salu-
tary development, and one which the
public at large is hopeful will con-
tinue to progress in its present line
of march.
Whether or not the airplane will
supersede the automobile as the pop
ular mode of transportation of the
future is question being asked with
increasing frequency. With each
new and spectacular areonautical ex-
plot the question is propounded by
large group who believe it sees in
the growing influence of the airplane
something of menace to the auto
mobile.
A little thought on the subject
should convince these persons that
nothing can take the place of the
present-day automobile except one
thing, and that is a better automo-
bile.
Certainly, it may seem short
sighted to say that the automobile
never will be displaced, but when one
gives the subject close attention it
will be seen that for the most part
the opposite view in reality is the
short sighted one.
It is not reasonable to expect that
the airplane will assume the place
now held by the automobile, because
they are two entirely different types
of carriers, designed for absolutely
varying kinds of work. In fact, it is
quite as unreasonable to say that the
automobile eventually will displace
the steamer as it is to assume that
the airplane will do the work of au-
tomobiles.
Today every type of transportation
is vitally needed. One does not dis
place the other, but merely supple
ments it.
When automotive trucks first came
into popularity many thought that
they would take the place of the rail-
roads. The righteousness of such an
assumption now is plain. Trucks are
used by the roads themselves to sup
plement their service; they cannot
take the place of the railroad.
At the time OF radios first squirt
to nationwide popularity there were
some who held that the telephone
was doomed. Now that radio has
become more stabilized and more set
tied we are able to see it in clearer
light and more accurately appraise its
capabilities. vast potentialities and
definite limitations.
The airplane, OF course. will grow
and prosper as transportation me-
dunn. 1t will become increasingly
important. And it will do these
things side by side with the automo-
bile. the one supplementing the other
Today transportation mediums up
build each other for the ultimate
good of the individual and the whole
That, it may be. is what will take
place in the instance under discus
SION.
Seemingly, there is one point in
connection with good driving which
Washington motorists, in. company
with their sisters and brothers OF
every other large city, have very
generally failed to understand That
point has to do with the matter OF
correct and considerate and scien-
tihc parking Now parking. in or
der to be correct and scientific, must
begin with consideration on the part
OF the nlotorist for the rights of
others. Probably i'll no other de-
partment of motoring are these
rights and privileges OF fellow
motorists trampled upon with such
amazing consistency. Every day,
and usually several times each day,
hundreds OF thousands OF motorists
the country over arc giving exhibi-
tions of unintelligcncc in parking
and poor breeding which bespeaks
no credit. Because this is the case.