Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-22
BY H. CLIFFORD BROKAW.

Nobody can predict with complete
accuracy as to what will be the future
of the automobile. But one who closely
observes the automotive industry and
makes a careful study of the many
factors involved in this tremendous
business can sense certain trends.
These trends can be pointed out and
certain conclusions can be drawn re-
garding them.
One of the most important trends
must be toward greater safety in con-
nection with motoring. There must be
definite improvement In the future by
way of lowering the number OF fatali-
ties due to automobile accidents. Some
of the other nations are handling this
situation better than in the United
States. This may be due in part to
the fact that the number OF automo-
biles per thousand population Is greater
in the United States than in any other
country, making the problem, there
fore, more difficult.
In this connection the information
given to visitors to Japan by police
men, written in English for the beneft
of foreigners, gives the Japanese rules
of highways and hints to motorists
While sounding humorous to Americans
these five rules, nevertheless, show that
these people are aware of the accident
possibilities of heavy automobile traf1c
and are undertaking to prevent them.
81. At the rise of the hand of police
man, stop rapidly. Do not pass OF
otherwise disrespect him.
20. When passenger Of the foot hove
In sight, tootle the horn. Trumpet
melodiously at first. Then tootle with
vigor, and express by word Of mouth
the warning Hi! Hi!
IS. Beware of the wandering horse
that she shall not take flight. Go
soothingly by
makes sport in the roadway. Avoid
ENHANCEMENT of the dog with your
wheel Spokes.
IS, Go soothingly on the greaSe-mud
as there turks the skid demon. Press
the brake of the foot as you roll round
the corners to save the collapse ana
tie-up"
That the accident situation in the
United States is better than some peo-
pie believe is indicated by compare
son of figures from Great Britain SHOW
ing a total of 6,l38 automobile fatan-
ties In that country. an average OF 10
each day. Great Britain has 723,O0O
motor cars. as compared with 24,731 500
in the United States, the ratio in Great
Britain being to Al of population ana
in the United States to 5.
Despite the fact that the number OF
motor cars in the United States Is "a
times as great as that in Great Britain,
the automobile fatalities in America IN
1927 only numbered 21,160. In Great
Britain a fatal accident occurred TOT
every 118 cars, while IN the United
states the ratio was one death to liz!
cars. If the United States had suffered
automobile fatalities at the same rate
as Great Britain the total would be the
appalling number of 209, SAT, instead OF
Of the actual figure of 21,160.
Another tendency is in the direction
of operating the present American au-
tomobile factories at as nearly as pos
sible the maximum of their capacities.
There are now about 25,000,00O auto
mobiles in use in the United States.
It is estimated that about 5000, 900 mo.
tor vehicles will be built in the United
States during 1929. But the total pro-
ductive capacity of American automo-
bile plants is said to be considerably
more than 100000 cars and trucks.
It appears that no great industry can
be expected to attain the greatest pos
sible prosperity or even operate at It's
greatest efficiency an economy when go
in only at SO per cent of capacity. Pro-
duction costs depend on uniformity OF
operations and a high ratio of opera
tons to capacity. Consequently, the