Evening star., 1934-06-26
Sessions End After Recon-.
mendation for Tax and
Safety Improvement.
SMITH WILL CONTINUE
IN CHARGE IN DISTRICT
Association Opposes Fund Diver
sion and Seeks Highway
Surveys.

After electing officers, the thirty
second annual convention of the
American Automobile Association yes
terday recommended a broad pro-
gram of improvement in the motor
transport field, particularly with re-
gard to motor taxes and highway
safety. The general meeting closed
yesterday after day of conferences
at the Willard Hotel. although A. A.
A. secretaries were to remain in ses-
sion here today and tomorrow.
Thomas P. Henry of Detroit was
elected president of the association
for his twelfth successive term by
acclanation as the only nominee on
the slate. Ernest N. Smith, who has
been in charge of national headquar-
ters here for many years, will con-
tinue in the post of executive vice
president.
Other Officers Elected.
Other officers elected were Charles
M. Hayes. Chicago, first vice presi-
dent; S. Edward Gable. Lancaster
Pa, second vice president; Ralph E
Dugdale. Toledo, Ohio, third vice
president; j. Newton Byers, jr., Buff
falo, N. Y, fourth vice president
Samuel w. Burchiel, Providence, r. /.
fifth vice president; John r. Graham
Merced, Calf. sixth vice president;
Senator Reynolds of North Carolina
seventh vice president; Charles F.
Foley; Lockport, N. Y, secretary, and
George w. White, Washington, treas
urer.
The Board of Directors elected the
following Executive Committee, which
will act as the governing body of the
organization in the interim between
meetings Of the Board of Directors
Maj. Roy F. Britton, St. Louis; Sid
ney S. Gorham. Chicago; Gable
Hayes; Henry. Arthur M Hill, Charles.
ton, w. Va; Robert P. Hooper
Philadelphia; William G. Bryant, De-
troit; Joseph r. Gardner. Cincinnati:
Percy E. Towne, San Francisco. and
John H. Wright, jamestown, N. Y.
The association voted opposition to
the diversion of motor vehicle reve-
nues to other than highway improve
ment purposes and called on affiliated
clubs to open campaigns for consti-
tutional amendments to limit the use
of taxes collected from motorists
President Roosevelt and Congress
we're commended for including a pro-
vision in the new Federal aid law
withholding a portion Of Federal
funds from States now diverting road
revenues.
An appeal was made for stringent
enforcement of motor laws, with par
ticular regard for intoxicated, hit
and-run and reckless drivers,
The association indorsed an in
tensive program for regional and To-
cal traffic engineering, including sur
veys of existing facilities, widening oi
roads. elimination Of grade crossings
and the installation of signs and sig
mails.
U. S. Excise Levies Hit.
Opposition to existing Federal ex-
else levies was reaffirmed by the as
sociation. which urged Congress to
abstain from this form of special
class taxation after the expiration
date of the present schedule, July 81,
1885"
Other actions taken by the associa-
ton included:
Endorsement of the Federal aid
policy as a constructive and CO.
ordinating influence on road building
throughout the country. This reso-
luton also urged the States to study
road costs and road revenues with a
view of bringing about better rela-
ton between them. and pledged sup
port of the A. A. A. in these studies.
An appeal to State agencies to
facilitate highway travel by simplify
ing route numbers, carefully placing
direction signs. better maintenance
and signing of detours and avoiding
changes of route numbers in the mid
die of the travel season.
In addition, the convention ap-
proved the extension of safety educa-
ton; Endorsed inspections of vehicles
by the States, with safeguards to pro-
tect motorists from abuse; urged the
establishment of State highway pa
trolls, and reiterated its faith in the
safety-responsibility law now in effect
in 81 States.