The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-01-28
PROGRESS AIDED
BY CLUBS
BY r. F. BEHLER
Manager. n. C. Division, American
Automobile Association

would be complete unless 1t took
into consideration the advances
achieved by the motor club. With
its multitude of services ever ready
for the motorist, this organization,
which exists to further his comfort
and increase the enjoyment OF his
car, has kept pace with the achieve
ments which otherwise have marked
the evolution of the automobile.
Progress Of the motor club move
ment during the last year has
scarcely anywhere been more no
table than in Washington. Mem.
bership gains have been large, and
we have succeeded in performing
for our members many services
which we plan to increase during
the twelve month just begun.
Where, in the early days OF or.
eanized motordom, much OF the
| time of the motor club from 1eces-
sitv had to be devoted to vigorous
support of legislation in the motor
lists interests and constant agitation
for good roads, the club OF today
Is called upon to perform variety
If services which has widened con-
tinuously with the passing Of the
years. :.
THE motorist wants touring IN
formation. he reeds maps and signs
70 direct him. and accurate lnforfna-
ton about reads, hotels. TOURIST
camps, and State or municipal tral.
ac regulations. liz mechanical Tr0u.
lie develops a repair man Is needed.
~ II he finds himself in want OF
gas. oil. tires or accessories, the
lnotorist must know where ne can
obtain them Not only does the
American Automobile Assoeiat 1on
| tell him where he can obtain this
service but it designates otflclal
garages. hotels and filling stations
to minister to his needs efficiently
and economically.
In the District of Columbia divi-
sion we have endeavored to aug
rnent and strengthen our services 70
motorists. That we have been some
what successflI is attested by the
substantial gains In membership.
ON January /, 1927, our roster had
On it 1902 names. At the END OF
the year that number had increased
10 1910. This is an advance winch
heartens us to 20 on to greater
accomplishments.
All our previous records Tor
emergency road service were sur
passed during 1927 when z7,7oS
service calls were received ana
answered Contrasted with 1880
during 1925, an increase OF % per
cent is shown. The greatest num-
her of calls within one day was
received on November II, 1927. the
dav OF the Washington tornado,
VIXEN 357 summons for emergency
road service were answered. The
wear 1928 already has brought
new record. On January 2 the new
high mark was set when 81 mo-
florists appealed to the District dl-
vision for assistance.
Our touring bureau has been
unusually active also. A totaI Oh
81, 403 persons were routed during
1927, an increase of % per cent
over 1926. Strip maps. which indl-
cate large sections OF highways
with touring data shown conciseiy
and understandable, proved their
popularity with a distribution OF
nearly 10000. More than $4,000
state maps were given out.
A gratifying advance was made
In brake testing. While there were
9Gl test cards given to motorists
who awaited themselves of this ser
vice Of the A. A. A. during 1870
this number mounted to 3,1S7 dur
ing the last year.
The highway patrol car has per-
formed varied services. 1t has sup
piled many motorists with gasoline
or changed their tires, swept up
- lar
mechanical adjustments to cars,
supplied road directions and, during
the latter part Of the year. was en-
gagged in distributing 5000 license
plates to members.
The legal department likewise
was active, filing 672 cases in be-
half Of motorists. This department
also handled insurance claims filed
under the personal policy, which
forms a part OF the A. A. A. SER
vice.
In an endeavor to make our con.
trlbution to public service, we have
made our facilities for removing
wrecked cars from the streets avail
able to the Police Department. Re-
moval of broken glass from the
streets also falls in this category,
the A. A. A. standing reday to take
away this menace to motoring on
the call Of any citizen. These calls
numbered 159 during the last year.
In line with its policy to engage
in activities OF a civic character,
the District division again sponsored
the schoolboy partol. This organiza-
ton was formed in 81 school build.
ings and nearly 700 boy patrol
men were enrolled.
The District of Columbia Division
of the A. A. A. has the distinction
of being the only club maintained
by the national organization. This
procedure stamps 1t Immediately as
a typical example of the organiZa-
ton which the American Automo-
bile Association aims to maintain.
Founded in Chicago in 1902, the
American Automobile Association
has completed a quarter century OF
service to motordom, which has been
motivated throughout by a policy Of
definite helpfulness and considera-
ton of the interests of the automo-
bilist. From nine clubs it has grown
to a nationwide body of 958 clubs.
situated in every State OF the Union
It's representatives In. Is foreign
cities extend It's service to American