Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-18
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.
OOR the time being there
= has been enough discussion

- has been enough discussion
about left-hand turns, sig
nal lights, automobile pro-
duction and fatality figures, to say
nothing of the various arguments
outside of the motor world and
vehicular traffic in general.
All of these things tend toward
q certain amount of static, and
every one knows that there is
plenty of that in the air during
the warm months of the year.
However, speaking of static, brings
to mind a new subject for dis
course which should prove of in
terest at this time, and at least
should promulgate some new ideas
which in itself will be refresh
ing this time of year.
The subject is radio and It's
connection with the automobile,
Joint use of which is becoming
more and more popular as the
days go by. Such use is causing
many traffic officials new worries
not that they have not had Suf-
f1cient ones previously. But traf-
fic officials are in a class by them
selves, and just can't help being
given over to worries, whether
justified or not.
Several States, notably Massa-
chuSettS and New Jersey, have
frowned upon the use of radio by
motorists, which the automobile
manufacturers are beginning to
exploit on a big scale. The chief
argument against it was that it
distracts the driver and in
crowded traffic might set up a
bedlam If generally used. On the
other hand, the manufacturers
maintain that 1t is a splendid
means for relieving boredom while
on long drives.
Proposals have been advanced
to curb the use of radio in auto
mobiles either by prohibiting
them altogether or by prohibit
ing the playing of the radio sets
within city limits. In MasSachu-
sets the proposal was that no
radio set shall be played in an au-
tomobile while it is in motion,
thus leaving the car owner free to
have the set in his car, to be
played only while parked at pic
MICS or the like.
New York City barred a taxicab
company from equipping its cabs
with radio. Meanwhile the auto
mobile and radio manufacturers
have shown a decided resentment
toward these limitations. Gen
eral Motors has gone into the
manufacture of automobile radio
sets, and about a half dozen makes
Of cars can now be purchased
with radio installations.
Director Not Worried.
william Fl. Harland, director Of
traffic In the National Capital, Is
one director who is not worrying
about the combination automo-
bile-radio. At least he Is not
worrying about it as yet. He does
not believe that the attention of
the motorist at the wheel should
be distracted, but cannot see that
q radio would take his mind of
driving any more than the Or
binary conversation Of pas
geNger. At the present time, he
WO44O law 00NSN0SS G&AJ AAAS4S 40
skeletons on automobilists.
He states that the time has not
come In Washington for traffic Of
fdcials to give the matter any seri-
Gus consideration. Also he believes
that 1t is the eyes of the driver
that must be protected more than
the ears.
However, the Automotive Daily
News, O trade journal, becomes
somewhat wrought up over the
subject, and while the bill prohib-
iting the use Of radios In automo-
btles was pending, editorialiZed as
follows, under the heading,
Martyred Massachusetts,"
"Staid and conservative old
Massachusetts,, home of the sacred
Goldfish and the Pilgrim fathers,
seems determined to arrogate to
itself the role of law-trying guinea
pig. The Bay State tried out at
considerable local anguish the
first compulsory insurance law
passed in this country. It has tried
out other measures at which State
legislatures elsewhere had nibbled
but never quite dared to enact.
Nov Massachusetts, Is dallying
with the idea Of passing law for
bidding the use Of radio on motor
cars. The reason advanced Is that
o radio In operation in the car
tends to distract the attention Of
the driver and consequently
makes for accidents. It Is further
commended that radios on cars add
TO the already plentiful traffic din.
"AS a matter of fact, in most
ears carrying passengers there Is
q constant buzz of conversation.
Attempts to gain the drivers at
eention are reasonably constant,
and q radio In operation is not as
distracting as personal questions
and requests. In truth, the radio
may have a tendency to still pro-
miscuous conversation and may
actually contribute a little to
keeping the drivers attention on
The road. AS for adding to traffic
din, the radio in a motor car can
scarcely be heard by any one
standing beside the car, much less
by driver passing in either d.
rection.
cigar Lighter question.
I'VE might Just about as we'll
forbid cigar lighters, on the pre-
text that lighting a smoke of any
kind takes the drivers mind off
his business. We might almost
forbid headlights, on the ground
that many Of them, through i'm
proper adjustment or other causes,
daEzle vehicle operators on the
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