Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-02

OF the 10 commandments In driv-
ing, those most frequently broken are
the first 10.
There seems to be q movement under
way to make automobiles a place of
refuge In certain kinds of emergencies.
It started with the discovery that If a
woman locked the doors of her car and
closed the windows of safety glass, an
intruder couldn't, without extraordinary
effort, break in. Now comes one of the
established parts makers with an cleo
trio system of door locking. At the
touch of a button the car can be COM
pletely locked.
Evanston, Ill, boasts Of a school for
woman drivers. In a recent examina-
ton one of the permanently waved pu-
pills gave Eaetordom a few chuekles by
stating that "the speedometer is the
most important part of the ignition
system" Another student is reported
to have stated that the best way to
pass street car in a hurry Is to the
left of it."
Before you laugh that off, just con-
slider the fact that most service men
check ignition timing by observing the
speedometer as the car accelerates or
climbs a hill. Also note the fact that
In one Eastern city the motor buses go
to the left of the street cars because
there isn't quite room enough to pass
safely on the right.
It is particularly dangerous to have
the tail light out at dusk, since the car
following may not have its headlights
switched on. Under such conditions,
your car is nearly invisible to the driver
behind, especially if the pilot of an ap-
preaching car suddenly switches on
pair of dazzling headlights.
What color for the new car. Well, if
you figure as one practical woman did,
you'll select light tan for a general
service car where there isn't much OPP
portunity for busting; black, dark blue.
maroon or dark green If you have> q
chauffeur; light green if you want to
get even with the neighbors, and bright
red or yellow if you are looking for
husband.
Now that one of the new washing
machines is controlled with the aid OF
an exact duplicate of the gearshift lever
there should be more skillful feminine
shifting Practice makes perfect. Hav-
big hill of wash, with the aid Of mod.
ern household equipment, nilady should
be more proficient in shifting over the
hills of the great outdoors. Maybe the
washing machine experience will serve
to emphasize the greater ease OF shift
ing when grasping the ball at the top
of the lever instead of holding the lever
itself.
A car cutting between a motor bus
and a private car is cause for criticism
any time but when the act is COM
niitted directly on a railroad crossing
the thing assumes more serious aspects
/ witnessed just such violation OF
wisdom a few Sundays ago and re-
luctantlv record as the crowning insult
the fact that there was q woman at the
wheel of the wildly manipulated car.
Speaking before group of women
who were attending a lecture on the
mechanical features of the automobile
Miss Amelia Earhart said: Little girls
are taught to cook and little boys to
play with machines, on the assumption
that abilities are divided according TO
sex. Rather, training should be given
to an individuals abilities. Some men
can cook elegant pies and some women
make efficient mechanics. In fact, they
make better mechanics than they ever
will housewives"
A woman has just outlined to me
some of the difficulties she is having
climbing hills with her car, explaining
that frequently she IS obliged to- pull
out the feeder" It's the "choker, "
milady, not the feeder" Most of our
engine ills come from overlooking with
this too-convenient control. The choke
does much to disturb the valves and
cause those hill troubles.
It's easier to clean the windows OF
the car in the shade than In the sun
light. j.. Don't use dressing on top
that Is to be. folded back fire.
ouently. s. Plain water and shammy
are all you need to use in cleaning
chromium plated trimmings j. and II
YOU want to save a lot of trouble always
dust the car before taking it out in the
rain.
OF q group of 20 questions asked q
group of ambitious women being eX-
anained, following . course OF irstruc-
ton in cars think the most valuable
is the one which asks, What three pre-
cautions should be taken before starting
the engine?"
First and foremost, see that the ga
rage doors ara open. Second, make sure
Ne gears are IN neutral. Third press