Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-17
NE Of Americas principal
pleasures Is speed. Not
every one will admit it

RtCGCu1CS 40 0RCCAs ANOt
every one will admit it.
- but 1t is so, just the same
The mania, If one wants to call
it that, starts in early in the hu
man life Of this country, and con-
tinues through old age. AS a mat
ter Of fact, the extremes are shown
nowadays in many instances when
there Is race to the hospital to
be born and another one to the
cemetery to be buried.
Becomes Won Over.
The young child becomes won
over to the fondness for speed be-
fore he or she is many years of
age. After the fast use of limbs
becomes an established fact comes
the kiddie car, roller skates, veloc-
ipedes, tricycles and finally bicyc-
les. Many falls are no deterrent,
and the delight in fast travelling
increases. Then the rides in the
family automobile come. Never
Is it unusual for the small young
ster to urge the driver to go a
little bit faster.
The child grows up and now is
the owner or driver of a car. What
a thrill there is In seeing just
what that bus will make. In the
comparison of cars it is not the
price or looks, but the speed that
counts. Manhood or womanhood
Is reached and the zeal for speed
remains. Some impetuosity may
be gone, but few men or women
will resist from trying the car out
at times. Cars are traded in. new
ones bought, but the desire for a
car capable of making high speeds
is ever constant.
There are many, of course, who
do not like to go fast, but these
are in the minority. The parents,
now grown old, often talk about
the fooliShness of going so fast,
but even they at times, grin and
are pleased when the offspring
hits it UP along a good stretch of
road. Despite their maturity they
enjoy the thrill of it.
A New Speed Angle.
A grown man the other day,
4AOt C6bAOA4C0 Will 4dOt AI INl11E AL
his new high-powered acquisition,
stopped his machine, got out, and
sat on fence along the roadside
while his wife turned the car
around and went back a few miles
and then came onward again with
the throttle" wide open. Her
husband wanted to see from an
other angle how his car looked
coming along the highway at full
speed.
What an opportunity the car
Of today offers for speed. How
undeniable it is that those in the
United States crave it!
The first speed event Of any i'm
portance since the successful trials
at Daytona Beach, Fla, will be
the indianapolis Sweepstakes this
approaching Decoration day.
There the pick of the high power
demons of speed and demon speed
drivers will be assembled, all eager
to make new records for speed:
Thrills for the operators and
thrills for the spectators. All sub
jects Of the godspeed.
Another Advantage.
Besides furnishing thrills and
shortening the time distances be-
t-.en sny two given points, speed
c. racing has another advantage.
Fast driving, and continuous fast
driving especially, cause a terrific
sSrain upon the motor, the whole
construction of a car, and partic-
ularly the tires. The weakest
parts give out first, and by the
study of these weaknesses the
parts are strengthened and made
more durable and safer.
The safety Of the modern auto
mobile Is in many ways dependent
upon these speed tests. Producers
OF automobiles provide proving
grounds for their cars. There vari-
Gus models are run at high speeds
until they wear out. These worn
out parts are examined and gone
over in every detail. Experienced
mechanics work out plans, some
times new inventions, whereby
these particular parts can be so
constructed that they will last
longer and give better service.
Thus the automobile is i'm
proved year after year.
Increased Road Mileage.
Uncle Sam will be the possessor
Of more than 10000 miles of new
highway and 100000 workers
throughout the country will be
provided with jobs as the result
Of the 1881 road building program
in the various States, according
TO the American Research
Foundation which has just COM
pleted q Nation wide survey.
Expenditures for new highways
in the 20 States will total approx
mately $1,000, 900 900, the founda-
ton estimates on the basis Of OBJ
tainable statistics. More than
$3.50, 900, 900 in revenue derived
from gasoline taxes will be avail
able for road building during the
year.
Forty three States from which
1891 estimates were obtained re-
ported a probable expenditure of
$3.50, 500, 226 for new highways this
year" the survey says Five
States, including Arizona. Georgia.
Massachusetts,, New Mexico and
Vermont, we're unable to furnish
estimates on expenditures, mile
age " working forces. Five others,
including Connecticut. Maryland,
Ohio, South Dakota and Tonnes
see, provided estimates on high
way expenditures, but no data on
mileage or workers required
To motorists, the advantage of