Evening star., 1927-11-20
MOTORING
BY WILLIAM ULLMAN.
The usedcsr problem the antique business
stops concentrating furniture


changed some at its statutes and
passed legislation providing for the
examination of drivers and opera
tors, thereby bringing the laws Of
this State, in all respects. close to
the recommendation of the confer
ence.
New Hampshire and number of
other States have passed supple
mentary legislation in line with the
uniform code, and, while in most of
these States the advance has not
been as significant as in some 9TH
| ers, yet the new legislation marks
the realization that uniformity not
only is desirable, but is approaching
ever nearer.
1t is obvious that such gigantic
step cannot be achieved overnight.
It will take time, and much time. at
that. Few States are willing to tear
down what it has taken them years
to build, and many of them feel that
their laws governing the regulation
of automobiles are as good as any
that may be devised.
! But the number of States which
| already have made notifications in
their laws is not fully indicative of
what really has been accomplished.
In a number of States much of the
recommended legislation was intro
duced into the Legislatures. In
some instances it even was passed
and subsequently vetoed by the gov
ernor, due to some rider attached to
the bill or for local reasons. In a
number of cases where the legisla-
tion was introduced time was in
sufficient to allow for its adoption.
There is little likelihood of much
more being done on the Hoover code
in a legislative way during 1923, as
there are but nine State Legislatures
scheduled to meet during the Il
months. However, during 1929. when
virtually every Legislature will con-
vene, determined efforts will be
made, and the probability is that the
uniform vehicle code, or parts of the
code. will be adopted in numerous
additional States.
Between now and then much effort
will be put forth by those behind
the movement in educating the pub
lie, as we'll as its leaders, to the need
tor. uniformity. By that time, it is
believed, sentiment will have crystal
lized completely in favor of uni
formity.
Along with the educational work
which is to be conducted. a study
will be carried on to determine how
best to adapt the code to the in
divldual States, how to meet local
conditions and problems and how to
bring about the adoption of uni
formlty with the least possible de-
lay.
Thus, the present finds much al
ready accomplished, the Hoover code
already an established, working fact
in a growing number of States, and
the outlook favorable for continued
success in this highly important
direction.
That an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure is a maxim
embodying truth that every one
comedies. It is truth, however.
that is lost to sight in all too large
a number of cases that involve keep
ing the safety features of an auto
mobile at their highest efficiency.
Adequate substantiation of this
fact is found in the results of
Statewide examination of cars held
recently in New York. Here are a
few of the significant findings:
Thirty-f,ine per cent of the million
cars examined were defective in
some way.
Fourteen out of every 100 needed
brake adjustments.
Eighteen out of every 100 had de-
fective headlights.
Five per cent showed defects in
the steering mechanism.
Here are the three most important
safety features of the modern
automobile. Functioning efficiently,
brakes, headlights and steering pro-
vide the motorist with his greatest
insurance against serious accidents.
Yet, what startlingly large number
were running counter to this well
established truth!
There is no cheaper insurance than
a we'll kept car. Brake adjustments.
made at the right time, cost no more
than 50 cents. Headlight adjust
rnents will be made free. Keeping
the steering tight and we'll fabricated
certainly would call for an outlay no
greater than very few dollars
year. Yet, many car owners pro-
crastinate and pave the way to mis-
fortune.
The protection offered by a differ
ent policy is too cheap to be fore
gone.
Kansas and California appear to
be running race in the attempt to
have the greatest number of cars in
proportion to population. California
has been leading with 2.3 persons
to each car, while Kansas is Just a
tenth behind. This comes rather
close to the thought. at one time
considered extravagant, that some
day there would be car per person.
Georgia has the longest way to 20.
since l2.3 persons in that State are
Obliged to share one automobile.
New. York State, contrary to general
opinion, is way behind California,
with a car to every &c persons. 1lli-
nois is slightly better motorized,
with CIR to every sc persons.
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