Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-16
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

"The so-called Hoover Code in
ITSELF" said Mr.. Macauley, has
played q most prominent part In
the reduction Of the heavy toll Of
accidents in our streets and high
ways. AS long ago as 1924, Presi-
dent Hoover, at that time Secre-
tary of Commerce, organized
what is now known as the Ma
tional Conference on Street and
Highway Safety. It's work has de-
veloped progressively as the re-
suit of meetings held in 1924, 1925
and 1890. ALI of this time the
Conference has enjoyed the con-
slant cooperation of public Of
ficials, associations and individ-
uals from all parts of the country
concerned in the problems Of
motor traff1c.
Supporting Associations.
Among the many associations
which offered and contributed
support to the Department of
Commerce in organizing and
financing the Conference were:
American Automobile Association,
American Electric Railway AsSo-
citation, American Mutual Alliance,
American Railway Association,
Chamber of Commerce Of the
United States, Motor and Equip
ment Association, National ASSo-
citation Of Taxicab Owners, Ma
tional Automobile Chamber of
Commerce, National Bureau of
Casualty 81 Surety Underwriters,
National Safety Council and Rub
Der Manufacturers Association.
"All of which indicated the in
huential support which is always
at hand for any measure of prac-
tice tending toward public safety.
We are fortunate that our people
are of that disposition. Otherwise,
the motor car manufacturers
would have had q much more diff
f1cult road to travel, from q safety
standpoint.
while the motor car manufac-
turerS have been lahoring con-
stantly to eliminate every acct
dent hazard In the product which
they produce-Such as stronger
body construction, four-wheel
brakes, fool-proof mechanical
equipment, safety glass and so
on-municipal authorities in al
most every county in every State
in the Union have been working
the same safety line-all to the
end that motoring will be the
safest method of transportation
in spite Of congested traffic con-
ditionS.
"And, speaking as a manufac-
turer, must grant that we build
erS Of cars must move fast to
keep pace with the safety CO.
operation we are receiving from
State and municipal sources.
Approves Safety Glass
MANY of us believe that our
adoption Of safety glass as stand
ard equipment actually removes
the last serious but common haz-
ard In motoring, so far as the
motor car manufacturer can con-
troll such hazards"
Mr.. Macauley feels that safety
glass is protection which every
manufacturer owes to the people
who buy his product and the use
OF such equipment on all cars
cannot come too soon"
MY interest in safety glass was
enlisted by picture which ap-
peared several years ago in a
scientific magazine, showing a car
which had been reduced to a
mass of wreckage by a head-on
collision with a telephone POLE"
said Mr.. Macauley, "and while the
windshield seemed to have a mil
lion spider-web cracks in it, it,
remained intact, the glass didn't
fiy and no one was killed or even
seriously injured. The picture
made q profound impression on
me.
Figures submitted to me-" said
Mr.. Macauley, indicate that with
the adoption Of safety glass by
all the car makers in the country,
the total number of injuries in
motor accidents might be reduced
as much as 100000 annually,
since flying glass is estimated to
figure In more than so per cent of
them. It would seem, therefore, If
we can't reduce the accident rate
materially, we can at least re-
duce the rate Of injuries and IA
talitieS involved in those acct
dents. Certainly, I do not want to
be considered an alarmist, be-
cause I believe that we shall re-
duce both as time goes on and
the safety organizations and COM
mercial organizations unite in
educating the public to the cost
Of accident and injuries.
THE American workman is be-
ing taught how to protect him
self from machinery. The Amer
lean motorist can be taught the
same thing, as big Job as 1t Is"