Evening star., 1931-12-27
Suitable Decoration.


Suitably decoration for Grand
Central Palace is a big annual
problem for Manager S. A. Miles
and for Samuel Ash, the decorator
to whom this work is intruSted.
While the interior of the building
has degree of natural beauty, its
large columns and wide wall and
ceiling areas do not offer a suffi-
ciently warm setting for "glorify-
ing the American car" Likewise
the matter of harmonious lighting
so as to produce brilliance with
out glare is a problem. This sea-
son the Palace will have an indus
trial theme as the basis of the
decoration. No less than Is arts
and crafts are being called upon
to combine their skill to create a
truly magnificent setting.
Various phases of American in
duStrial life dependent upon the
automobile industry are to be porr
trayed in stained-glass panels.
The interior of the building will
appear as a veritable cathedral of
industry and commerce. For the
main floor the predominating
color is red. The second floor has
light blue as the keynote, the car
peting being a darker tone. Above
the second floor the predominant
ing shade is light green and the
floor covering dark green. Wis
itors upon entering the foyer and
lobby. which will be done in black
marble, will ascend the white
steps and pass over a specially
woven royal scarlet rug which
weighs nearly two tons. The foyer
leads to the concourse, or main
aisle, with an ornamental stair
way of yellow marble against
black marble at the center rear,
rising to the mezzanine. At the
top of the landing there will be a
huge stained-glass panel depict
ing Rip Van Wrinkle returning
after a second long sleep to find
America somewhat transformed.
Details of the decorations form a
pleasant harmony throughout.
Equipment Section.
The shop equipment section at
the show makes a greater appeal
each season, not only to garage
and service station men but to
the general public as we'll. Many
motorists are interested in seeing
the new tricks employed in serv-
icing their automobiles. This ex-
hibit, on the fourth floor, will be
confined to the trade until pm.
each day, after which time the
public will be admitted. The
progress made by manufacturers
of equipment and tools in reduc-
ing the cost of maintenance to
the car owner and enabling the
service station to turn out better
work more expeditiously and in
greater volume will reveal distinct
advances. Thanks to modern
equipment, the shops of the coun-
try are doing things now that
were unthought of couple of
years ago, and as result cars run
sweeter for longer time and the
effect of natural wear is mini
mized. Take the matter of brake
lining, for example. A short time
ago the lining was put in and both
the car owner and repairman let
nature take its course in so far
as getting that lining down to a
perfectly smooth wearing surface
was concerned. Now it is differ
ent. First, the repairman refaces
the brake drums in a drum lathe,
removing all ridges and scores,
providing perfectly smooth sur
face for the lining to bite against.
Then, after the lining is applied
to the shoes there is clever little
bench machine which very lightly
grinds the face of the lining so
that the surface is absolutely true.
The result is that there is no need
for the owner to come back two
or three times for adjustments
during the first 500 or 1000 miles
The job lasts.
More and more the machine is
replacing manual labor, eliminat-
ing the human equation and
l. Il