Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-16
AUTO RADIO SETS
FACE LEGAL FIGHT
Opponents Declare Music
While Motoring Constitutes
Menace to Driver.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

1pee1ei DispatCn 70 me OtaF.
DETROIT, Mich, March 15.-Will
radio sets be barred by ediet or by law
from use as automobile equipment?
This question has arisen as the result
of situations that have developed in two
Massachusetts, and New Jersey
In both instances ofiicial recommends
tions have been made that the use OF
radio on cars shall be banned, mainly
for the reason that the operation of a
may be considered q distraction that
might interfere with safe driving.
The controversy promises to be one
that will be argued out in many State
capitals during coming months. The
possibility is that 1t will be productive
of conflicting regulations of q nature
similar to the widely varying traflc
rules that motorists encounter when
they cross State borders on long tours.
Question Raised in Boston.
The first time the question rose was
in Boston, when O. A. Parker, MaSsa-
chuSetts registrar of motor vehicles, laid
before State authorities a proposal that
the radio be forbidden as an automobile
accessory. He put forth the contention
as q safety measure. Stating that reg
istTars of certain other States agreed
with him, he pointed out that the action
was advisable to prevent the attention
of drivers from being distracted.
His position was challenged by State
Representative Washburn, who argued
that cigarette lighters and vanity cases
also were distFacting. Mr. Washburn
added that "back-seat driving and
controversial talk in @ car also came in
the same class and might be considered
as diseoneerting. The Massachusetts,
Board of Public Works, before which
the proposal came, deferred decision on
the matter.
Since then the issue has cropped up
again In New Jersey william l.. Dill,
motor vehicle commissioner, who is re-
firing after 10 years of service, told the
Legislature In his final report that he
dtsappr0ved Of radio for cars. Makers,
he said, should sense the danger caused
By preoccupation of mind and abandon
the idea OF making radio q part of car
equipment.
His Recommendation was made among
Q number of reforms he advocated in
the cause OF safe driving. These in
cluded compulsory installation of wind
shield wipers and prohibition of stick
ers on windows and windshieIds. He
urged ia addition that the use of car
heaters that throw on carbon mon
oxide gas be barred.
Makers Start Counter Action.
The opposition has developed, since
both radio manufacturers and car build
ers have got production plans under way
to make aiitomotive receiving sets .
volume output proposition. Naturally
they have taken steps to protect their
interests and have started counter ac-
ton.
There are many arguments advanced
regarding the utility OF radio for use
on motor cars, Among them it is
pointed oft that thousands of motorists
use the sets 10 get programs at their
Summer homes or In camp.
The chief reason, however, Is that
the new phase of police work calling
for radio equipped scout cars has
created a need for freedom of action
which did not exist before. Statistics
from the Detroit police department,
which has led progress in this field
show that it has 50 radio equipped cars
now in use and that officers riding in
them are often able TO reach the scene
of crime before the criminal has GEM
pleted his job.
Radio, according to Harold H. En-
mons. police commissioner, is regarded
as a new weapon for use against crooks.
Broadcasting has been credited with
playing part In 1900 arrests since the
sets have been In use. 1t has been
recommended that the number Of cars
be doubled to make the system thor
oughly effective.
General Motors, with an eye to the
future, recently embarked in the manu-
facture Of radio for automotive use. 1t
Is stated that nine makes of cars, two
of which are OF General Motors build
are now fitted with aerial antenna to
allow owners to put in the Gets If they
50 desire.
Copyright, 1880, by North American News
paper Alliance