Evening star., 1933-09-03
CAR OWNERS SEEN
ADOPTING Codes
Dealers N. R. A. Insignias
Force Cooperation on
Part of Motorists.

While he Is not required to sign q
definite agreement as to his willingness
to follow procedure helpful to the pres
ent recovery plan, 1t is evident in many
quarters that the automobile owner is
adopting type Of code that should be
instrumental In establishing better
practice in car ownership. Some Of this
Is voluntary. Much Of it is a direct
result of the adoption Of codes by these
branches Of industry which affect him
as motorist.
Outstanding among the progressive
steps Is his attitude toward the matter
Of allowance on the car he wishes to
trade in. Many car owners had already
abandoned the process OF shopping
around for the highest bid when the
dealers OF certain cities banned the
practice Of overbidding on used cars.
Those who stiN desire to chisel are
finding that they are running up against
codes adopted by dealer associations.
A determined effort is being made in
the trade to conf1ne allowances to actual
market valuations with certain vari-
atlOllo w tohC So4C "a cPOSAo4 SoAAAAsASA4Aos
Losses Mean Unemployment.
It seems to be recognized by the more
far-sighted motorist that forcing or
tempting a dealer to take less on
sale is comparable to putting men out
of work. The dealer who stocks up with
used cars bought for more than he can
sell them must close up shop, go broke,
or perhaps both.
Where codes on trade-in allowances
have been established q dealer is not
able to violate the rule long without
being revealed by those motorists who
60 to other dealers with the story that
they can get whole lot more for the
car from scme one else. In recognition
Of the fact that prices are rising and
that used car valuations have increased,
motorists will not be asked to accept
the ridiculously low figures quoted
earlier in the year. As motorists come
into the market for more frequent re-
placement Of their cars 1t IS recognized
that there will be more useful mileage
left in the cars they trade in.
Many owners have ceased shopping
around for cheap repair work, especially
bargain fabrication. Much of the code
making that has been going on in the
national recovery program has been
process of ruling out unfair and un-
profitable practice. In his limited way
the intelligent motorist is doing the
same. He Is rolling out those things
that are loss and hazard to all con-
cerned
A carelessly, cheaply fabricated car
is a menace on the road. Its clutch
throwout bearing may go dry and break
The universals, which are also usually
overlooked in hasty oiling, will cause
serious trouble if they break and per-
nit the propeller shaft to drop to the
road. Front wheel shimmy Is very
largely due to faulty fabrication OF
various important parts Of the steering
assembly.
Bargain Gas Going.
Bargain gasoline is expected to dis
appear from the market, not merely
because the oil industry Is trying to
eradicate it, but also because the car
owner has decided the way to save
money on fuel is to buy the best and
use his car most efficiently. There is
a return again to the desire for more
miles to the gallon. In the car owners
code more efficient engine design Is
asked, unnecessarily high speed Is
banned as both wasteful and unneces-
sary, and more regular servicing OF the
car is rated as part Of the process OF
helping recovery.
One Of the noteworthy developments
in the field of car ownership is the
marked increase in motor club member
ship A number Of clubs have set out
to double their role of members and
are accomplishing this feat. Through
such united effort motorists have
another means Of codifying their reso-
lutions. Clearly in the minds OF the
motorists Is President Rcosevelt'S aim OF
vast unemployment. Thousands OF
persons are employed by motor clubs
throughout the country in an effort to
make motoring more convenient and
less costly for the car owner.
It is evident that those plans which
eliminate bad practice have the desir-
able effect Of increasing employment.
With this thought in mind, more car
owners than ever before are endeavor-
ing to strike out those customs that
defeated their own purpose. Less
chiseling IS expected to give the motorist
more smiles to the gallon.
Just how far the motoring public will
60 with its own code no one knows.
There may be some demands made upon
the manufacturers and the trade for
certain desirable improvements. What
ever these demands may be, however,
they are certain to be for the industry's
good as much as they would be for the
welfare of the motoring public. The
great development Of the automobile
has been a direct result Of the indus
try's willingness to meet the pubic's
demands.
(copyrisht 1s33J