Evening star., 1933-03-05

r T Is to be hoped that the iuAuSufa ~
visitors have been made fully well
come during their stay here. Be-
i sides the interesting events OF yes
terday, the National Capital has
much to offer. This is true during all
seasons Of the year.
Even outside of its historical places
the City of Washington and its environs
afford many attractions. The wide
thoroughfares with trees to be found AZ
every hand, Rock Creek Park With It's
splendor of Winter, Spring, Summer
and Fall is g lure not to be found else
where. The Speedway, or as 1t Is ON
cially known, Potomac Park, with It's
delightful drives skirting the river, rs
always pleasant, whether the cherry
blossoms are out or not.
Then, nearby Washington has its
many attractions, to be reached over
fine serviced roadways. The District
Of Columbia rightfully should become
\ national touring center, and visitors
here last week and this week should
remember that and return.
Honor to Sir Malcolm.
et Malcolm Campbell, the intrepid
British racer, Is to be congratulated
upon his record making run along the
Florida coast line. In his appearance
here last week, where he was honored
bv the American Automobile Asoscia-
ton, he portrayed himself to be the
quiet, unassuming man which all sports
men admire. Not satisfied with making
272 miles an hour on Washingtons
birthday. the Englishman plans return
ing to this country again to achieve. II
possible, even higher speeds. He be-
heves the speed Of an automobile TO pe
practically unlimited.
The noted racer, knighted last year
by his government for his record then
standing, is not q speed enthusiast at
all times. To the contrary. when not
on the beach racing or on some other
speedway course, he is a slow driver.
He Is q supporter Of many safety-flrst
campaigns in England. This may seem
paradoxical, but the Englishman be-
1ieyes there is time and place for all
things, and surely man who can at
tain such speeds must be careful
driver.
Sir Malcolm expressed himself as be-
ing much impressed over the WORK OF
the schoolboy patrols, the organization
started here by the A. A. A. He stated
that 1t was his desire to orgarkze a sim
liar patrol in Great Britain. That In
itself will be q worthy result Of the
racers speed runs here.
Good Of High Speeds.
Many ask what good comes OF such
high speeds. The answer generally given
Is that 1t enables mechanics and manu-
facturers of automobiles to build strong
er and safer cars by noting what
weakens first In such runs, and thus
make engines and cars stronger In gen.
eral for public use.
This answer is true. but Sir Malcolm
gives another one. He says that these
speed runs are of great benefit to the
trucks Not that trucks are to be made
to attain such speeds, he says, but that
trucks are very heavy as a rule, and
the surface part OF the tires used cause
much friction to be attained. This Is
true with machines run at great speeds.
BY experimenting with tires at great
speeds the companies in time are able
to make stronger tires and tE more
safety is produced.
50 in auto racing, as in other pio-
neer achievements at great danger to
even their loss may come to the greater
majority. Through perils and hardships
better times for those who come after
are brought about.
It Is fitting that these speed trials
should be tried in this country, the
birthplace of pioneers.
Avert Pedestrian Deaths.
Although pedestrian deaths included
q larger percentage Of all deaths from
automobile accidents in 1882 than In
the previous year, there is one fact that
is encouraging. The number of pedes-
trians killed while walking On or along
rural highways was smaller In percen-
tsge than in the year before.
Whether this improvement was due to
more care on the part Of drivers or on
the part OF pedestrians. or both, Is not
a. important aS the fact that the bet
ter experience prevailed, because this
improvement proves that something can
be done to safeguard life and limb, once
people make up their minds to take the
nsceSSary precautions.