Evening star., 1935-10-13

bus operator. Inset shows John H.
obtained all the brake power possible
when he locks the rear wheels. II
am correctly informed that the ratio
of weight between front and rear for
sudden stops may be as high as two
to one, then the rear wheels lock when
they carry one-third the car weight
and at this time the front wheels will
be doing the same braking as the rear.
This being the case, the total braking
power developed amounts to that cor
responding to two-thirdS the car
weight, so that ore-third of the avail
able weight is not utilized to produce
braking power.
Can this extra power be obtained
with safety? Engineers advise me
that it can be done, and has been
done, by the use of an inertia weight
acting to distribute the brake-apply-
ing force in the desired proportion
between front and rear axles. This
action is automatic and once installed
requires no special attention.
In considering the question of the
average condition of brakes, the most
important consideration is that of ad-
justment. Lack of proper fabrication
of parts may at times decrease the
brake power an appreciable amount,
but lack of proper adjustment may not
only decrease this power, but at times
may reduce it to practically zero. Ad-
justment is therefore the important
thing to be considered. In following
the trend of improvement in automo-
bile designs one finds so many in
stances wherein the car is automati-
cally cared for-automatic fabrication,
for instance-that it is surprising that
brakes still have to be adjusted by
hand land sometimes by hand not
any too skillfuD.
Automatic Adjustment Needed.
Here we may ask, rs it impossible
to automatically adjust brakes?" I
find the answer to be no. that it has
been done. Brakes have been con-
structed and operated successfully for
many thousands of miles in which
hand adjustment was impossible. Why
do not the manufacturers adopt such
a mechanism? Probably for two rea-
sons; one, it would mean a little more
expense, and, two. it would seriously
affect the business Of brake adjusting
stations. The saving Of lives result
ing from fewer accidents caused by
improperly adjusted brakes does not
appear to Offset the above reasons.
To summarize the above. we find
that:
l. Drivers are not yet competent to
handle the high speeds which cars
now easily attain.
2. That the stopping" power of the
car has not kept pace with its going"
power.
The remedy lies in the hands of the
authorities charged with the control
of traffic. Manufacturers cannot lead
in this respect. Their motto is to pro-
duce what they think they can sell
most easily. Therefore, they should
not be given a free hand to produce
anything they consider to be a good
seller regardless Of safety to the pub
lie In general. While the highway
authorities do exercise the right of
control at the present time, 1t is ap-
parent that this right could be ex-
tended while at the same time avoid
ing any entry into the field of design,
or tying the hands of the manufac-
turer in this respect.
Maximum Speed Suggested.
At present they specify certain lin
its Of speed on the highway, yet they
specify no limit to the maximum
speed Of the vehicle itself. But isn't
it just as foolish for a State to say
to one Of its citizens, I'VE will give
you license to drive your new To-
mile-an-hour car on our highways,
but you must not 60 over IS miles an
hour" as it is to give a stick of
candy to a small boy and say You
must not eat more than half of it."
Moderate increases in maximum
speed from time to time would not
cause serious trouble. 1t is the
sudden and uncontrolled increases
that develop dangerous conditions
and this sudden increase in maximum
speed is just what has developed in
the past few years.
Highway authorities have also laid
down in many States specifications
for the various parts Of the vehicle,
such as headlights, brakes, ETC., and
this is good as far as it goes. To
take the subject Of brakes, we find the
shortest stopping distance required by
any State is % feet at 20 miles an
hour, and as previously stated the
shortest possible stop is about II
feet. Some States emphasize the
necessity Of equalization, and caution
the inspectors on this point, yet none
of them indicate that automatic road
equalization Is the solution to this
problem. None of them indicate that
automatic brake adjustment is desir-
able. Yet such adjustment would 60
far toward the elimination of colli-
sions.
In conclusion, why should the pub
lie be required to rely on Mr.. Auto
mobile Mechanic to keep his brakes
In proper order, when practically all
of this adjusting and equalizing work
can be done automatically by a me-
oh y,.nr1 ,.ta ~x,I,@ .lI~. 49,