Evening star., 1927-11-13

| IllIIlSCll.
Under the present apparently un-
systematized scheme, the traffic
stream often is held up at every in
tersection along the line, and thus
instead of expediting the vehicular
movement the officers simply push
it along by fits and starts. 1t is be-
lieycd that the writer of the letter
| from which the above paragraph is
quoted is voicing the sentiments OF
! virtually all Washington motorists in
this important respect.
Apart from the fact that clothes
may or may not make the man. it is
certainty that design makes the
automobile. With individual design
erS seeking unique notes in various
ways, instead of merely following
general trends, certain cars that have
had definitely established characters
have undergone changes.
Some that were recognized and re-
spected for their calm dignity and
restraint have taken on a gayety and
swagger that is amazing, and still
more amazing is the fact that some
OF them manage to retain their
former virtues as we'll. Two makes
come to mind most emphaticallv.
One has had the reputation for
rather plain utility, with no especial
emphasis laid upon beauty. but it is
beautiful car now and looks like
the little brother of one of the
raciest automobiles on the market.
The other is a luxurious, fine car
that will match any of them in pert
ness, where once it was deficient in
this respect.
Due to the equable weather which
has prevailed for the most part this
Autumn, Washington has had a
brimming quota of motor tourists in
September, October and thus far
during the present month. Always
center of tourist interest, Wash
ington during the Autumn season of
1927 has proved magnet to thou
sands upon thousands of motor car
owners from points near and far
who have taken advantage of favor
able weather conditions either to
prolong their tours to include the
Capital or have made special trips
here.
Considering the opening of the new
Richmond road. the improvements
in other highways entering into
Washington. the more widespread
use of closed cars and the general
growth OF touring. there are plenty
of reasons for the belief that tourist
travel by motor into Washington
will be greater during the late Fall |
and Winter of 1928 than at the |
corresponding seasons of any other
years.
1t undoubtedly is true that there
has been much Standardization in the |
automobile industry. but there are
evidences that should console those
who look upon Standardization as
synonymous with qualification.
For instance, two cars, highly COM
petitive, recently were put on the
market in their 1923 garb. Both |
boast of greater riding comfort than
ever before. One declares this end
has been achieved in part by giving
the springs higher arch. The other |
points with pride and satisfaction to |
the fact that the springs have been |
fattened out over last years prac-
tice.
The strange part of it, from the |
prospective purchasers point of
view. is that both are right in their |
claims for greater comfort. The |
progress is due. however, to the in
stallation of better shock absorbing
devices on better designed springs.
The cynic who declares that cour-
tesy among motorists is trait long
since discarded appears to be discred-
tied by the number. of passenger and
commercial cars in various localities
on which is displayed the following
sticker:
This driver will meet all other
gentlemen half way OH any traffic
situation"
The legend on the sticker, which
is distributed by large truck conf
pany. is given in lettering large
enough to be clearly legble at some
distance. An official of the company
states that the printed invitation to
other motorists to accept gentle
mems agreement to show mutual
courtesy in the event of trouble 10
meeting with hearty response.
Even in this period when cars have
been made so much superior in ap-
pearance, there were some who felt
that, except in the case of roadsters,
the back of the car has been left
more or less to chance. AS one critic
put it
THE designers seemed to stop
when they reach the rear corners of
the body"
While this criticism may have been
just at one time, it no longer is the
case. The back of the car has been
getting the designers attention. On
one of the most imposing of the
finer cars in America the back is re-
garded by some as affording a view
even more impressive than from the
front or sides, fine as those two
vistaS arc.
Don't run for too long a period
with the top of your convertible
coupe folded back. Remember that
the bows and other paraphernalia Of
such a top are heavy and that the
material will crack or chafe if left
too long in the folded position. Great
care should be taken with these tops,
and since they arc easy to put up and
down this should not be a difficult