Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-27
CRISIS IS REACHED
IN ROAD PROBLEM
100000 Motor Cars Were
Closed in 1928-NearIy
100000 Gain.

Despite the fact that the advance
ment of the highway systems in
America in the past 10 years is a real
national achievement and has been a
major factor in the tremendous growth
of business, we are fast reaching
critical period in our road tranSporta-
ton problem, according to H. H. Frank
lin, president of the Franklin Automo-
bile Co.
The year. Just closed witnessed the
sale of 4,700,O00 motor cars-an in
crease of nearly one million cars over
the previous year. Every indication
points to 1929 reaching the 100000
mark II car building schedules are car
ried out as planned.
One can readily picture what that
would mean-the addition Of millions
more motor cars on our streets and
highways than at present and no ex-
tensive progress being made to take
care OF this additional trafic.
Demand More Speed.
Numerous plans have been suggested
that the outstanding plan Is that of
the one-way superhighway system-a
theory that I have expressed before.
II our highways at present are in
capable of taking care of the traffic
that Is safely taking care Of it-what
can we expect in 1929 unless immediate
action is taken to provide adequate
means of safely moving intercity and
interstate highway trafic?
The buying public demand more
speed In their motor cars and the
manufacturers are acceding to this
wish. This means that highways safe
for fast travel must be provided and
thus materially reduce the high an
this accident toll is not the result of
the fast cars, but is directly attributed
in most cases to congeSted conditions
of the highway.
SuperhighwayS Suggested.
If a system Of one-way Superhighways
were provided, so arranged that traffic
between the important trade centers
which are now carrying traffic both
ways, could be routed only one way, we
would be taking a direct forward step
to provide. highway system that would
meet all needs with a safety element
that Is lacking at the present time.
The railroad systems Of the Nation
went through this same period OF
transition. First they had the single
tracks that carried trains both ways.
Because of numerous accidents they
gradually came to adopt one-way track
age with the result that they were able
to speed up their train service and,
more important, reduce the accident
toll to a minimum.
When such a system is adopted as
regards automobile travel over the high
WAYS then we will find a real solution
for our damned conditions on the road
ways and the resultant heavy annual
death and accident toll.
1t was a few short years ago that
the American who sought what he be-
lieved to be the last word in the aris-
tocracy of motordon, looked to the
products of the European automobile
builder. It was kroadspread belief
that in style, quality, originality Of de-
sign, fine fitnents and upholstery, and
outstanding engine performance, the
European manufacturer In the fine car
market far surpassed the American
manufacturer, H. H. Franklin, presi-
dent of the Franklin Automobile Co.,
continues.
A careful survey Of Americas fine
car business today discloses a complete
reversal of this former condition. Not
alone does the American buyer Of fine
cars now depend on the quality prod
ucts Of domestic manufacturers. but the
notable strides that these same do
nestle builders have made in the fine
car fields of the Old World indicate
clearly that American artistry and
craftsmanship now dominates the fine
car markets throughout the entire
world.
The great inroads that the American
fine car manufacturer has made in the
past few years in the fine car markets
of Europe competing against the mas
ter designers of the Old World is a
distinct tribute to the craftsmanship Of
America.
At the recent international salons
held in Paris and London in which the
leading quality car manufacturers of
the world exhibited their products, the
marked interest shown by representa-
tons of all nations In the American
built cars reflected the dominant posi-
ton won by our products in the foreign
markets. AS the world in general
few years ago looked to Europe as the
style and quality leader in the fine
car field, today America is accorded
this position of leadership and every
indication points to a maintenance Of
this position.