Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

TINE cool mornings are again
at hand. Again it is timely
for warnings against mo-
a noxide gas, which poisoning
takes its toll of victims annually
and only can be Safeguarded
against by plenty of fresh air.
Admonitions concerning the dead
ly fumes, impossible to detect,
cannot be given too frequently.
When the temperature begins to
drop in the Fall and Winter
months many motorists are loath
to open their garage doors before
warming, up and starting their
motors. It is then that the mo-
noxide gas is expelled through the
exhaust or seepS through the en-
CINE itself. If the engine Is slow
in starting-often the case In cold
weather-the operator is taking a
great risk of being overcome, ana
another fatality may be charged
to the name of careleSsneSS.
Such may not be the case every
time, but the risk is too great to
chance it. 1t may be chilling to
open the garage door Immediately
after a hot cup of coffee at break
fast time, but 1t is imperative to
do so. A sign to this effect might
we'll be posted on the wall OF every
garage.
The deadly gas fumes arc
caused by improper explosion Of
the gasoline in the chambers.
Proper adjustment of the carbu-
rotor and a clean motor will all
greatly in cutting down this pc<il.
But what engine will not choke
and sputter on a cold morning?
Open the garage door first and be
safe!
Danger from monoxide gas does
not end in the garage, but its seri-
Gus effects are lessened This dan
ger is continued by driving along
with the windows of the car tight
" closed. Attention has been
called to this before, but again be-
comes timely.
Additional Warnings.
A certain amount of monoxide
gas can seep up through the floors
of an automobile while being
driven along the highways. Its
effect is diminished by the fresh
air that Seeps in also. The lean
ness of the mixture rarely is fatal.
Dizziness can result and many a
worker, especially if he is en-
pioyed inside, may feel groggy
most of the day because of the
impure air he has inhaled.
Like opening the door of the ga
rage, this can be averted by lower
ing the window down from the
top. Warm clothes and blankets
can alleviate the cold when neceS-
Sary. The longer the trip the
more this is necessary. A year or
so ago several occupants of ma
chine were rendered almost un-
conscious by driving back from
Baltimore with all windows tightly
closed.
Many gas smells are noticed
while driving, especially by car
whose motor is not kept clean
But these smells are not from
dangerous fumes. Whether this
fact is one to rejoice over or not
remains problematical.
Following a news story about
some persons who were overcome
by the gas fumes woman tele-
phoned in stating that she was
contemplating buying a car, and
wanted to know what make would
be free from monoxide gas. A re-
ply that only car run by cleo
tricity was thought of, but the
woman was told that any car
would be safe If the garage door
and car windows were open at the
proper times, and this answer
seemed to relieve her mind.
Traffic Surveys.
william p. Emo, traffic expert,
also has come out with long re-
port on conditions in the National
Capital and a series of recon-
mendationS. His report follows
closely upon the heels of that OF
J. Rowland Bibbins, consulting
engineer. Both surveys are inter
esting, but need careful study.
washington needs to simplify its
various ordinances It hat car
readily be understood by perusal
Of page after page Of regulations
to be found in the official book is
sued by the Traffic Bureau.
It is to be hoped that beneficial
results will be obtained from these
reports made by men who have
given considerable time and
thought to the problems here, and
that cooperation will be attained
at the Office Of the director IF
traffic.
Another thing to be hoped for
Is that many residents of this city
will get out of the way of think
ing that Washington is the worst
city in the country in so far as
traffic is concerned. It is not, and
residents of other cities do not ex-
press themselves in that manner.
Parking complaints are numer-
Gus, and will be that way always.
Many complaints are caused by
failure of members of the police
force to enforce the present regu-
lationS. Pedestrians are protest
ing over motorists parking their
cars across the the cross traffic
lanes. Motorists are Directing to
other motorists parking their cars
on streets interfering with the