Evening star., 1934-02-25

that Washington has Jared be
country.
The first two months of this
for chain and battery dealers. !
time more chains have been sol
were they taken off that they
time, it was said, there was not
entire city. Near-zero weather
more so on those lowly charged.
Chains, whether metal or rubber.
wear out quickly due to the heavy
friction caused between two surfaces
on hard material-that on the tire
and the street itself.
Promote Safe Driving.
Cars were seen with four chains,
three chains, two chains and often
with one chain. Chains promote safer
driving, but should not be depended
upon too much. On an icy street q
car can skid with chains, but as a
rule, not as much. Some motorists
new treadS will not skid as much as
a heavy auto with chains. There is
reason for this argument. especially
during these days of balloon or low
pressure tires.
Another argument against chains
is that they may break and become
entangled around the axle or brake
drum of the wheel, causing accidents.
However, the driver, who puts on
chains has done his part in making
driving reasonably safe. Chains are
an added cost to the owner, but so
is keeping the lights lighted, the wind
shield wiper and bumpers in good
repair. Maybe the day will come
when chains are a standard equip
ment Of all new cars.
Truck Code Effective.
Owners of approximately 1000 900
motor vehicles transporting property
over publicly used roadways, today
come under the code of fair compe-
tition for the trucking industry.
They include operators for hire and
operators not for hire, except to the
extent that the latter are covered by
other codes. AS result of the effec-
tiveness of the trucking code, it is
estimated by the American Truck
ing Associations, Inc, that about
100000 employees will be added to
trucking pay rolls, representing an
annual increase in wages Of $780,
100000.
The code provides for a base work
week of 48 hours and minimum wages
for skilled and unskilled labor rang
ing from 25 cents to 35 cents per
hour in the South and IS cents to SIS
cents per hour in the North. 1t re-
quires that all operators subject to
the code register within 80 days Of
the effective date, giving the number
of vehicles, number of employees, ton
mage carried and other pertinent
facts necessary for proper policing Of
the industry.
Operators for hire must file their
minimum rates within IS days and
must adhere to them under penalty
of violation Of the code. Certain
trade practice rules must be observed
by all such operators and additional
rules may be formulated by trade
agreement by natural or territorial
divisions Of the industry. The code
will be administered by series Of
decentralized code authorities under
the supervision of the administrator
of the national industrial recovery
act. After compliance with provi-
sions Of the code, members of the
industry must display an insignia on
all their vehicles.
IA the last decade" Ted v. Rod
gers, president of the national Or
ganization, explained, "the transpor-
tation of property over the public
highways has assumed significant
proportions. Today it constitutes an
integral part of the transportation
system Of the country. In contrast
with other major forms Of transpor-
tation, the trucking industry Is typi-
cally small unit, owner operated
and a flexible type Of transportation
activity. The natural operation of
these factors has produced conditions
within the industry tending to re-
suit in acute competition.
The industry anticipates, however,
that the effective operation of the
provisions of this code will tend not
only to stabilize the employment and
operating conditions within the in
dustry, but will supply data which are
essential to the satisfactory solution
Of the complex problems created by
the rapid and extensive growth Of
highway transportation.
Maryland Fatalities.
Forty-one drivers were held for the
grand jury in connection with 458
auto fatalities in Maryland during
1888, yet only three convictions for
manslaughter were obtained.
Statistics revealed in a survey by
the Baltimore Safety Council further
disclosed that in this alarming death
toll-l30 Of which occurred in Balti-
more City-210 persons were COM
pletely exonerated by the coroner, 81
instances were judged as requiring no
inquest, SO listed as unavoidable and
accidental deaths totaled "a.
OF so convictions either by magis-
trates or in traffic courts only three
instances Of subsequent jail sentences
could be discovered.
Records show that grand juries in
Maryland returned only three indict-
ments out Of Al cases brought before
them on manslaughter charges. The
records further show that death-hit-
frequency was by far greatest where
the drivers age classification was be-
tween 20 and 20, this number total
ing 324. Next was the 30-39 range,
Il9.
More definite indication Of obvious
guilt are the figures devolving upon
the reckless abandon which character
lies this class Of operators-fgures
which conclusively show that their
machines were travelling upon an open
road Of smooth surface and going for
ward in 315 Of the 458 death accidents.
Clear weather prevailed in 311 in
stances, of which lot were before sun
down. Further substantiation of ap-
parent disregard for the rights OF
pedestrians and careful motorists is
contained in the statistics, which re-
Solution Of Yesterdays Puzzle.