Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

SERVICE SCdLlOLls GANC 1CCSSSdAy
adjustments made to prevent
Slowing when brakes are applied.
If the car is more than a year old
have the brakes refined. And then
have the brakes properly inspected
every month or so. The cost Is
negligible-a few dollars. The
results in security, peace of mind
and driving comfort are priceless.
There is no sense or safety in the
present situation, in which a third
of our 100000 cars are running
around with brakes dangerously
worn or out of adjustment"
Moving Day Troubles.
Not only do thousands of Ameri-
can families move from one home
into another each year, but the
majority of them want to make
the change at the same time, a
fact which has direct bearing on
the cost Of moving and On the
kind of service moving concerns
are able to provide. This was
strikingly pointed out in q report
Of a national survey Of the NOV
ing industry just completed.
In the average community NOV
erS' trucks are able to pay profit
to their owners on only 40 to go
days Of the year, the report states.
Those are the days on which
Americans are clamoring to move;
hence, the day on which moving
concerns do not want business,
yet find it easy to get. Trucks
are overworked and their drivers
and helpers sleep little.
The rest of the year the mover
is hard pressed to find profitable
work for his equipment to do. It
Is equipment Of a special nature
and not easily adapted to other
trucking operations. What to do
about this important problem Of
the moving business, and other
profit leaks of the industry almost
equally important, was the object
OF the survey.
Another interesting fact devel-
oped in the survey Is the tendency
among Americans to live in
smaller quarters and own fewer
household effects. Moving vans
to carry the furnishings of an
average household in a single
load now are too large for most
Jobs and are habitually under
loaded, with consequent loss to
the truck owner, the report says.
New standards by which to judge
present equipment and by which
to select new are imperative, it is
pointed out.
Signs of Spring.
"Danger-Men at Work." will
be sign Of the times when public
improvement projects get under
way in the early Spring. Although
many State, city and local govern
ments have not only planned but
awarded contracts for 1881 con-
struction, numberleSs communities
have needed projects still hanging
fire.
That public construction pro-
videS work for vast numbers is
not merely a rumor is attested to
by a recent report of the Con-
ference Of Pennsylvania Con-
Struction Industries. OF the $64,-
100000 spent on highway and
bridge construction in Pennsyl-
vania last year, the conference
calculates that approximately 30
per cent, all things considered,
went into the pockets Of workmen.
Labor's share was $51, 100000. AS
many as 22,530 men were en-
plcyed by the State Highway De-
partment and contractors. and.
considering laborers provided work
indirectly, some $4,000 men we're
necessary for the 1880 highway
program.
Emphasis is placed on the need
for highway construction by the
fact that when 1880 road con-
struction ended with the coming
of Winter there was a sharp
ascent in the unemployment curve
in Pennsylvania.
Minnesota is considering O.
highway bond issue for $15,414,-
600. It's Importance is realized
when it is learned that of this
So, 248,000 would go to labor over
IWO-ycdT pSIlOQ, WHICH, dCCOIO-
ing to the chief engineer of the
Minnesota State Highway Depart
ment, would mean jobs for more
than 5000 men for two years.
Illinois, a State that has already
won all-tine honors in road build
ing, will this year embark on her
greatest construction program.
Some $45 100000 will be spent;
some $4,000 men employed.
Chicago is building what is
Known as Goose Island Viaduct.
It is to be a half mile long and
will include two bascule bridges.
Three hundred men are starting
the job; as many as 1000 men
will be employed later for the
greater part Of Is months.