Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-11
In The Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD

liative, and if given fair trial, VIII
do more to create cure on the part
of the motor vehicle owners and OPP
orators, and thus prevent accidents,
than any single remedy that has
hitherto been suggested"
* X
The commissioner also stated that
the proportionate increase yearly OF
vehicle licenses had decreased since
January ! the actual decreases nave
been noted in certain classes OF vehi-
cles, especially the more hazardous
types, such as the commercial vehi-
Giles of light weight and motor
cycles" 1t is noticeable, also, he
states, that the "makcshift' motor
vehicle is no longer on the highways
of the State. 1t is not to be as
serted, he adds, that ahe failure OF
the number OF registrations to IN
crease in the normal amount IS en-
tirely due to the law.
But those familiar with the sit
uation," he said, have no hcsitancy
in saying that there are a great
MANY motor vehicles now i'll the junk
heap which would be operated on our
highways with all attendant risks
were it not for the fact that this
insurance is required"
The law will tend to reduce rather
than increase careless and reckless
driving, the commissioner concluded,
due to the fact that the statistical
records of the operation of the law
will disclose not only all figures re-
lating 10 insurance losses and eX-
penses, but also the private record OF
every individual automobile owner
in the State. He emphasized the
point that the insurance and bonding
companies, to which the records OF
the automobile owners will be avail
able, may with cause refuse to grant
the applicant insurance or bond:
And already, he stated Court Of
Appeals has supported the position
of such companies in refusing TO
furnish indemnity for applicants
found guiky of driving while under
the influence of intoXicants and
others guilty of driving cars for I'M
lawful purposes.
II am of the strongest OPINION.
/
public becomes aware of the fact
that if they are negligent and reck-
less and cause accidents they are
likely TO be off the highways entire
ly. The reaction will be beneficial
From the foregoing it would clear
" be seen that the law has worked
out. If the dealers fail to sell some
of their badly used machines, it
would seem that they might dispose
of more of their new makes. AS for
the dilapidated cars that are now
seen at times it would be much bet
ter for the owners and public at
large to be prevented from buying
| them.
+ In mentioning these antiquities
that run until they fall to pieces,
plan has already been devised by
certain dealers that would take care
of them. The salvage system has
been tried in various cities through
out the country and has been re-
ported successful. This system is to
Junk all old cars in a large plant,
tear them to pieces and save the
parts that are still good. Many good
parts can be obtained from ma
chine completely wrecked. Much
more can be obtained from an auto
mobile that is Systematically torn
down. This fate would be a de-
served one for the cars that cannot
be sold because of an insurance law.
Dealers here have this plan under
consideration.
AS has been pointed out both
measures up for consideration have
at the background the safeguarding
of the public, and the public includes
the automobile dealer and motorist
together.
. What is best for the majority is
best for ALL 1t is up to every one
to think of safety. both for them
selves and for others. All dealers
require insurance to safeguard them
selves when they sell a new car on
time Many of them carry insurance
and liability on their own personal
machines. Why not further the
plan that they already believe in to
some extent.
| Wade H. Coombs, superintendent
Of licenses of the District, has issued
an appeal to all motorists to procure
their 1923 tags as sool as possible,
thus alleviating the usual rush at the
end of the month Application for
tags may be obtained at the District
Building or at police stations.
Motorists should remember last year
when the issuance of tags was held
up until March by the failure of the
Chicago manufacturer. Show your
appreciation this year and get them
early.
Police officials are again warning
drivers not to speed across intersec-
tions on the yellow light. The amber
signal is not the signal to 60, yet
many autoists are reported to rush
across at this time. Only accidents
can result from this practice.