Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29


near future speed laws will be
abandoned by the authorities
in the various States as un-
necessary. Should this prediction
come to pass, and 1t seems likely
it will not mean that a vehicle
can be driven without any re-
striction in regard to its speed
everywhere and at all times. It
will mean that the driver shall
have his car under control and
the rate be reasonable.
In other words, speed laws and
limits will give way to regulations
prohibiting reckless driving. Ten
or even 5 miles an hour may be
reckless in certain sections of the
= city at certain times. This idea
mas been expounded by the local
courts.
It does seem foolish for a. mo-
torist to be arrested for driving a
few miles over the prescribed limit
II his driving is not dangerous.
More foolish Is it that If convicted
three times for such an infringe
ment on the regulations here, he
may be jailed and have his license
to drive revoked.
After all, is there any one who
does not speed up little bit over
the limit during the week, If at
the time the blue uniform Of q po-
1iceman is not apparent? Very
few, If any. Therefore, If every
one was detected 1t would not be
long before there would be no au-
tomobiles operating on the streets
Of our cities, for every ones
license would be revoked or sus-
pended.
End Appears on Way.
The cities will be the last places
to abolish speed laws, in all prob
ability, but the day appears to be
on the way.
Recognition Of the fact that
speed Is possible with safety has
recently been given by II States
which have raised their speed
limits. Four. States have gone so
Tar as not to place any definite
limit on speed other than rate
which is not unreasonable and
improper. Other States also have
adopted this method. Further, in
most States speeds in excess of
the limit specified do not call for
punishment If it can be shown
that the greater speed was safe
under the circumstances.
From the mechanical stand
point, most all cars are capable of
travelling at fairly high rates of
speed with safety. However, speed
with safety also is dependent
upon highway facilities. This is
particularly true in and near met
ropolitan areas, where most mo-
toring is done. Here speed with
safety is dependent upon the pro-
vision of wide, smooth pavementS
and elevated grade separations.
This Saturday the big automo-
bile show opens in New York. At
Grand Central Palace King Auto
will preside for one week. Forty
six makes of passenger cars will
be on display, two of them being
OF foreign vintage, the remaining
American. Two makes of taxi
cabs will stand by with unclick-
ing meters, and 125 accessory ex-
hibits will be revealed.
? From advanced reports ema-
mating from Detroit, Indianapolis,
Buffalo and other automobile
manufacturing centers, show visi-
tors may be prepared to see some
striking designs far surprising
any previous attempts at making
cars beautiful. Regardless of what
the manufacturers may announce
as to mechanical improvements,
the fact remains that from a sales
point Of view they plan to rely on
the appeal to the eye.
Will Have Interest.
All indications go to prove that
the show will have its annual in
tereSt and that visitors will once
again break attendance records.
The pilgrimage of members of the
Washington Automotive Trade
Association will be made next
Sunday. Tricks by other local en-
thuSiasts will be taken through
the week.
In view of present traffic con-
geStion almost everywhere in the
United States, forecast made Is
years ago regarding the future of
the automobile is a bit humorous
in spots. The interesting prog
nostication was found in the ar
chives of the Automobile Club Of
Southern California.
The funniest part is the proph-
ecy that the automobile "iS the
key to the problem Of overcon-
gested traffic in our city streets.
Not only would the space now oc-
cupied by horses be saved and the
streets be made sanitary, but the
motor truck would draw the load