Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-28


last year although steady
increase has been noted every
month of 1881.
LIIowever, a great increase was
ast expected for the first quarter
of the year, o. even the f1rSt
stages of the second quarter. II
was about this time, according to
automotive. officials that sharp
rise might take place.
Not a Bad Year.
Whether or not this rise will
prove as sharp as indicated, the
year 1881 will not be a bad year
in the industry at large. Re-
trenchmentS have been made
new economies practiced, and as
a whole the automobile field is
bound to be In better shape than
the, close of last year found it
Prospects for the future are con-
siderably brighter.
One thought, an authoritative
one, Is that there exists today IN
the United States a potential de-
mand for more than 5000, 900 cars
because of the obsolete models
now travelling the streets and
highways, according to G. c.
Hanch, general manager of the
National Association of Finance
Companies.
With the return of public con-
1idence Mr.. Hanch believes the
automobile industry should rapid
ly increase its output to supply
the great replacement market, for
there are more than 10,000,00 cars
five years old or older still in use
according to the figures compiled
by the association. A sixth of the
automobiles travelling the streets
this year were manufactured in
1929.
Requirements Needed.
OF the 24,324,000 cars in use at
the beginning of the year, 4,519, 000
were made in 1929. At the begin
ming of this year there were more
1928 and 1925 cars in use than
1880 models. Among cars of vint-
ages earlier than 1919 there were
$4,000 still running. There were
still in existence 1,643,0 900 of the
1923 models and 1,647 900 of earlier
make. Practically all cars manu-
featured before 1927 are obsolete
and many of them should 60 to
the junk yard
while they are still running,
practically all the cars manufac-
tured before 1925, total of $685.
600 are so out-of-date that they
ought to be replaced" said Mr..
Hanch. THE owner of every one
of these cars is a potential Gus
toner for some kind of a more
modern car. Therefore, there is
a potential demand for more than
100000 cars in the United States
right now. I doubt If there is a
single one Of these car owners who
is not dreaming of the day when
he can purchase another auto
mobile"
Efforts to cut down the growing
rate of fatalities and accidents
are of interest to every one. Eff
fective brakes undoubtedly are
one of the most important factors.
Brakes Inspection Favored.
Eighty-six per cent of the State
motor vehicle commissioners of
the United States favor periodic
brake inspection as an important
means of reducing traffic acct
dents, nation wide survey COM
pleted by manufacturing COM
pany indicates.
Ten per cent of the commits
einYNarc nhianfnd nv, tho ryrNYYYol IF
excessive cost to the motoring
public, while 5 per cent expressed
a neutral attitude.
Among those who favor regular
periodic brake inspections are
commissioners in States where
compulsory brake and headlight
inspection has been in progress
for some time through Icgislation.
Others, however, based their
opinions on the results of volun-
tary brake inspection campaigns
which have reduced traffic acct
dents in their States.
One of the motor vehicle COM
miSSionerS called attention to the
fact that some motorists drive
their cars far less than others. In
these cases, he commented, reg
ular 30-day inspections might be
somewhat of an imposition. The
motoriSt who drives his car only
1000 or 5000 miles a year would
not require brake inspections as
frequently as the motoriSt who
drives $4,000 or 10000 miles per
year.
Another roror,oinent official called
attention to the fact that brake
inspections conducted under pri-
vate auspices rather than State
auspices might not be as effective
as inspections brought about by
compulsory legislation.
The majority of commissioners
approved heartily the idea of reg
ular monthly inspections, which
is part Of the Nation wide plan to
gain the cooperation of the
motoring public in the safety
movement. When a motoriSt has
his brakes refined the service sta
ton certifies that his brakes are
in perfect working order. This
makes the motoriSt eligible for a
500 insurance policy issued by
certain casualty companies. To
keep the policy in force for one
year it Is necessary that the
brakes be inspected every 80 days
in most States and every 80 days
in a small number of others.
Step in Right Direction.
"Any plan or activity which