Evening star., 1934-12-30

~ 10 P1 OllllSCh tildu "ll1 NC
some interesting surprises Several
cars thus far are mysteries" That
the 1885 lines of automobiles, and in
all price brackets, will present unusual
values, and that refnements hereto
fore confined to the higher-priced cars
will be incorporated in the low-priced
fields is revealed by advance announce
ments. Illustrative of the greater
value are the marked improvement in
riding and means for increasing pas
senger comfort, convenience and
safety.
Many New Developments.
The introduction of a new principle
OF spring suspension at last years
show has been responsible for many
new developments to be seen on the
1885 models. Similarly, there will be
shown new methods of controlling
spring action, so that a softer spring
can be employed Makers favoring the
independent wheel mounting have i'm
proved its riding qualities and others
offer new and interesting design. Prac-
tically every 1885 model will be pre-
scented with new forms of springs, and
in a number of cars 1t will be notice.
able that both the front and rear
springs have been moved forward, as
has the load center
Greater riding comfort will be OBJ
tanned by moving the rear seat for
ward from the conventional location
of directly over the rear axle and seat
ing all passengers between the axles.
Providing passengers in the rear seat
with the same riding comfort as in the
front is one Of the several new de-
velopments.
Road Show Coming.
Vying for honors in automotive cir
eles next month is the convention OF
the American Road Builders Associa-
ton, which will be held January 22-25.
"A balanced national highway pro-
gram should include program OF
modernization," says Capt. H. G.
whitehurst, director of highways for
the District of Columbia and president
of the Road Builders, in discussing
plans for the annual convention Of
that association here in January.
Many of our highways" continued
Capt. Whitehurst, have become OBJ
solete, due to the impossibility of fore
seeing the enormous increase in traffic
volume and speed. A modernizatlon
program should include widening OF
existing highways, adding more trat-
fc lanes wherever necessary, also
Strengthening curves where these are
80 sharp they have become a menace
to the operation of the modern auto
mobile
Many of our highways are fit for
only horse-drawn vehicles, for which
they were originally built. The wind
ing road of the 90s has no place in
the transportation scheme Of today,
although many of them still exist,
on our trunk line system Of highways.
I'm the early days" said Capt.
Whitehurst, about the time the
horseless carriage had become a GER
tainty, the sudden demand for high
ways resulted in improving surfaces
on old locations, which have since
become inadequate to accommodate
the present volume and speed of traf-
nc. In many sections of the country
time losses, property losses, injuries
and fatalities by reason of insufficient
widths and sharp curves nave mounted
to enormous proportions.
THE trend of highway requirements
has become more clearly defined dur
ing recent years. We know that high
ways must be built for higher speeds
and greater volume. Most of our large
metropolitan areas are faced with the
problem of building arterial highways
and eliminating grade crossings. Ex-
listing traffic conditions are unsatis-
factory and If continuous program
of this kind Is not carried on, the
next upward surge of vehicle registra-
tion will result in curtailment Of
highway use Of disastrous proper
tions."
In conclusion Capt. Whitehurst
states that in giving consideration to
q planned highway program the fol-
lowing modernizing factors should be
emphasized: Cd The elimination of
sharp curves. There should be sight
distance of at least 600 feet on a
main highway. 90 Super-elevation