Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-02-27


sence of uncontrolled spring rebound.
Air cleaners are splendid little de-
vices for keeping dirt out of the en-
CINE. but they have two other de-
cidedly acceptable advantages. One
is that they save the carburetor by
keeping dirt out of it. The other is
that they necessitate, in the case
of cars not originally designed for
them, the elimination of the So-called
stove" But cooler air for the en-
CINE, at least during the warmer
months of the year when the car is
on the open road, proves to be a
source of greater power and econ
omy.
For neat backing into garage
, space, drive up straight in front Of
the cars to the right of the space and
until the rear right wheel is on a line
with the left front one of the car to
the right of the space. Then cut and
back. Many drivers do Just the op-
posite.
That it pays to keep strict ae-
! count of all car expenses, in order
| that they may be reduced, clearly is
demonstrated by recent incident.
A motorist had been in the habit
of tipping a garage attendant rather
frequently, but noticed that he re-
eeived relatively little attention de-
spite his generosity. At just about
this time the car owner began keep
ing accounts. and it was then he
noticed that he had been giving the
attendant far more than he should
receive. 1t averaged somewhere
around Is cents a week. Appreeiat-
ing the psychology of the situation,
he insueurated plan of giving 81
bill every two weeks. This relieved
him of the usual unpleasantness ac-
companying tipping and resulted IN
better service. The attendant never
had kept track of the total of the
motorists donations and regarded
him as nickel Upper
Every motorist at times encoun-
tiers a situation which for the mo-
ment may lead him to believe he
needs new eyeglasses or has suf-
fered a mental alteration. Such an
anomoly in local traffic is related by
one observer who was driving north
on Sixteenth street the other eve
ming, Just above Scott Circle. In
tent on watching The changes in the
electric signal lights, he. for the mo-
ment, shifted his attention from the
cars running ahead of him. Then,
suddenly, the motorist became aware
on looking directly before him that
the way was absolutely clear. Not
car in sight, but glance to the left
revealed the startling explanation.
There were three lines of cars. Co.
ing south? Not by a long shot; they
were all going north on the wrong
side of the street.
The moral is evident. This group
of impatient individuals were so in
tent on passing each other in COM
pliance with the existing regulation
that they drove on the wrong side.
of the street in preference to pass
ing on the right. Aside from the
observation one might well make, that
driving on the wrong side of the
road is just as serious violation of
the traffic regulations as right-hand
passing, it seems apparent that this
instance illustrates the need for a
change in the rule prohibiting right
hand passing of the vehicle ahead.
Automobile springs are due for a
great deal of attention this year. An
interesting story is told in this con-
nection.
The inventor and manufa cturer of
a superior spring control device is
said to have made the statement that
II the springs on a car are properly
designed, and are in good condition.
almost any spring control device or
shock absorber is satisfactory. He
claims that the springs are the cars
original shock absorbers and that
the control devices merely are aids
to prevent the springs from going
wild on bad roads.
1t has been demonstrated that only
the springs can furnish that fine rid.
ing quality which is so noticeable in
new cars of almost any make and 50
totally lacking in old machines. The
control devices. and shock absorbers
are spring protectors, so to speak,
and they do guard the passengers
against being thrown to the ton OF
the car when hitting bad holes or
bumps. Only the springs. however.
attend to the normal driving fea-
ture.
Motor enthusiasts will be amazed
at the riding qualities of many of
the new cars, but they should keep
IN mind that not all will be able to
keep up the pace of good riding. be-
cause not all the springs will be de-
signed for lasting riding qualities.
Springs settle after a year or two
OF use. and when this happens no
amount of equipment in the wav ~
shock absorbers will compensate for
the T., loss OF natural riding qualities.
he quality of the steel used in the
leaves has much to do with the oere
manency of the riding capa cities Of a
car, but as the coming season ,.,;ii
demonstrate, design also is an I'M
portant factor.
ne more a car does. the more !,
can do."-William James. =
The enjoyment of leisure breed.
trouble. Selected.
There are three kinds Of motor
takers: Those who talk about their
own cars, those who talk about
otfier cars and those who talk about
ideas."-Selected. '"'
Joy. is not in our cars-it Ia IN
us."-Wagner. J"