Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-13
In the Motor World
n n ARYLAND is contemplating
mn law against the so-called
wv hitch hikerS, who gain free
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

n n .ARYLAND is contemplating
mn a law against the So-called
wv hitch mixers, who gain free
- = transportation from mo-
florists along the highways, often
to the latter's peril.
Pending such legislation by the
State, which would align it with
four other States and the District
Of Columbia, who have drafted
and adopted similar measures, II.
H. Lucius, secretary of the Auto
Club of Maryland, states that II
his advice is followed there will
be more hiking and less hitching.
According to Mr.. LuciuS, many
thumb tourists, as those who solicit
free rides by jerking their thumb
in the direction they wish to
travel, already are finding 1t diff
cult to induce motorists to give
them a lift, and are now turning
their attention to truck drivers.
The club secretary points out
that as a measure Of safety and as
a precaution against picking up
those of criminal intent, CONNER
cial concerns should advise the
operators of their trucks of the
need for ignoring those soliciting
free rides.
Majority Are Wanderers.
Although several courts have
decided that the operator or own
er of a car is not responsible in
case of an accident in which free
transportation is given, there is
widespread sentiment for adopt
ing legislation in the State max
ing it unlawful for such Solicita-
ton. He states that there are
numerous well meaning persons
who stand by the roadside and
solicit free transportation; they
are in the minority. The majority
are wanderers, in many instances
youngsters who have run away
from home, and criminals who
have it in mind to fleece the kind
ly motoriSt at the first opportu-
nifty. Therefore, he concludes the
only safe way is to ignore the
signs and calls of those who seek
free transportation along the
highways.
Mr.. LuciuS remarks are we'll put
and Maryland should not delay
any longer in passing a law to
protect her citizens or visitors.
Almost daily some newspaper car
rieS a story of some kindly mo-
torist being held up after he had
given a traveller a helping hand.
Recently a motoriSt in Virginia
60 TO hi Ia N
such a course.
It may be hard to pass up some
weary pedestrian along the road,
especially if there is plenty of
room in the car. In days gone by,
any one who might refuse re-
quest for a lift would be regarded
as cold-hearted, selfish indi-
vidual.
That day is past, and no mo-
toriSt, however kindly disposed,
can afford to take the chance. A
young boy and young girl along
the roadside falls in the same
category, for often they are used
aS q plant.
Don't take anybody you don't
know in your car!
Auxiliary Motor Fuel.
A card in the form of an adver-
tiSement comes along with much
interesting material, that is, If
authentic. Excerpts from the
card says that "Am writing YOU
about an amazing new auxiliary
motor fuel that equals gasoline at
only 8 cents a gallon. This prod
uct has repeatedly been given the
most rigid tests in all kinds of
motors, under the most variable
conditions, and in every instance
has proven its merit beyond all
expectations.
The manufacturers Of this
product are planning a gigantic
advertising campaign, in which
they are going to give away thou
sands Of dollars worth of this mo-
tor fuel, besides making it posi-
BILE for any one interested to make
$500 per MONTH"
An address is given, which will
not be disclosed here. If sub
Stitute for gasoline at 3 cents a
gallon is found the card advertiS-
Ing is a curious way to advise any
one of such an event. Why so
much money Is to be given away
seems rather unusual, too. One
would like to believe a lot of
things that one hears these days,
but at that it is often the best
plan to be little doubtful at first.
Talk on Junking Interesting.
There has been much talk about
the junking of cars this year.
Comments from the Motor and
Equipment Association, through
its medium, the Leader, is of in
terest, as well as what the Auto
motive Daily News has to say on
the subject.
The Leader gives out the fol-
low statement:
Fifteen million dollars will be
spent by the automobile industry
In 1880 in removing unsafe cars
from the highways, according to
the details Of a program Endorsed
by the directors of the National
Automobile Chamber of Com
merce, as announced recently at
the Chamber offices. This pro-
gram calls for the junking Of
10000 old automobiles, in addi-
ton to the normal scrapping
which is constantly going on.
This widespread experiment
will strike right at the heart of
the unsafe vehicle problem by
eliminating huge block of those