Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-01
In the Motor World
BY q. ADAMS HOWARD.

two months of the year; thereby
avoiding the old model clean-upS
that in the past have started in
May and June and continued
throughout the remainder Of the
year. Clean-upS have been q great
curse to the industry. Even those
companies who had no cleanup
programs in midyear have been
anceS and all this has upset the
retail market during the Summer
and Fall, which should be good
selling periods. This change will
mean more than can be estimated
in gaining public confidence and
in dealer stability and profits.
IT think manufacturers have
gone to extremes to place this
great automobile industry on a
higher plane and feel confident
that dealer associations through
out the country will inaugurate
a persistent campaign to improve
dealer practices. There is no rea-
son why an auto dealer should
not be the outstanding merchant
in his community. He Is dealing
in a necessity of life. One Of the
most. essential things to bring
about this result is that dealers
stop outbidding each other on
used cars and loading up their
used car inventory with fictitious
values that eventually and in
evitably result in serious losses.
What manufacturers and deal
ers do to improve the auto in
dustry as a whole will have most
Salutary effect upon the entire
economic structure OF the country
and will go far toward speeding
our business recovery"
Enemies Of the MOtorist.
This is of interest.
The greatest enemies OF the
motorist are-twilight, liquor and
bad brakes.
This is the opinion of w. T.
Palmer, manager Of the replace
mentS department Of q manufac-
turing company.
National surveys have revealed
that the closing hours Of the day
are more productive of accidents
than any other period" says Mr..
Z aIAl1C1 AL 1lAS SLdbCh1CAAbs ASOAAAC
experts have laid this to the
fatigue that follows q day Of
Office work, shopping or other
firing activity. I disagree with
such a finding. I think 1t is
due entirely to the conditions Of
light existing in the cleaning.
Lights are pale, shadows are not
in sharp relief but are vague and
misleading, people, cars and other
objects are hard to see. In the
hours between strong daylight and
the darkness Of night the driver
has need Of special alertneSS.
This Is particularly true in Winter
because Winter light conditions of
twilight are just at the hours when
the greatest number Of people are
using the streets and highways.
Beware of twilight.
1--WE all know the terrible toll
being caused by drunken drivers.
Alcohol and gasoline make q
murderouS mixture. Revocation Of
licenses make splendid punish
ment, but unfortunately they often
do not become effective until after
the alcoholic motorist caused
misery to himself, his family or
others.
"All motoring dangers, including
those of twilight and inebriated
car operators, are greatly en-
HANGED II a motorists car is not
equipped with good brakes. Almost
100000 cars are being operated
in this country with brakes which
present fearful hazard, due to
worn Innings or improper adjust
ment. The remedy for this, of
course, Is more frequent brake
inspections. either compulsory or
voluntary"
No one can gainsay the above
opinions.
Praise for w. A. T. A.
The show manager, r. J. Muir
ply; the chairman of the Show
Committee, Fred l.. Halter; indi-
vidual members Of the committee,
and the Washington Automotive
Trade Association, headed by
Whitney Leary, are deserving of
praise for the handling Of the
eleventh annual exhibition. The
show was well put on, and in re-
turn the public of Washington
hopes that the automotive in
duStry will find the year 1881, one
of DrOSperitV.