Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-16

came first. Nine per cent of the
coaches were wired for electricity but
less than 10 per cent had their own
lighting plants.
r ECENTLY, in report on the
trailer situation, the American
Municipal Association, which is q
clearing house of information for
1000 cities, outlined the governmental
problems involved. Its regulatory pro-
posals. the industry and others believe,
by no means threaten extinction or
even curtailment of the trailer
movement.
To begin with, the association pro-
poses more intelligent planning of
adequate, modern trailer parks and
calls for a proper application of
health regulations, possibly through
amendment of existing codes. 1t con-
siders the child or schooling problem
from the standpoint Of both the COM
munity and the trailerer, and finally
comedies that this class has not as vet
created any welfare or public assist
ance problem.
Speaking Of trailers as permanent
dwellings, the report says:
Rapid progress in design and COM
fort of trailers and lower costs through
mass production methods have led
more than anything else to the rapid
acceptance OF trailers by the general
public. While floor space in trailers
IS much smaller than in permanent
dwellings Of almost any kind, in other
respects trailers are more comfortable
and less costly than many homes. The
encouragement Of trailers as perma-
nent dwellings by municipalities I'M
plies willingness by officials and the
public alike to face squarely the
challenge to traditional housing
standards which is now being fur
nished by trailers."
A brief survey Of the present status
OF trailer regulations discloses that
43 States now require registration of
trailers. The registration fee varies
from ST to SIS, with an average OF S.
The Trailer Coach Manufacturers
Association wants uniform law call
ing for Is cents per 100 pounds
weight.
In 80 States trailers are taxed as
personal property. This Is because
trailers have been consistently re-
garded as vehicles. To consider them
real property appurtenant to land
involves too many complications.
A s INDICATED in the Yellowstone
survey, the price range on trailers
generally runs from about $500 for q
mere shanty on wheels to a really
cleverly- equipped and inviting, taste
fully finished little rolling bungalow
selling for around $500. Models
built to order will cost anything one
cares to pay.
The higher-priced models of this
year are distinct advance over any
thing yet achieved by the industry,
which now has virtually crowded the
homemade product out of the picture.
Some Of the latest constitute nina
ture suite, not altogether unlike an
diversified dolls house. In it may be
found small sized, usually, all the vital
appurtenances Of housekeeping
There Is a duplex dining and living
room equipment that magically may
be transformed into sleeping. quarters
for as many as six persons, a built-in
kitchen with patent gas or gasoline
stove, ice box and sink, and bath room,
while every possible leftover inch OF
space has been fashioned into varying
sized cupboards and closets. Often
finished in mahogany, the interiors
concede nothing to the ordinary home
in eye appeal.
Trailer operation requires a tech
nique Of its own, and the novice will
exercise great caution until he famil-
iarizes himself with the proper way to
haul it over the countryside and
particularly through traffic. To turn
safely requires more care than is
involved In turning just the automo-
bile and the same is true OF passing
other vehicles. Seasoned trailerers
avoid city traffic whenever 1t is at all
possible.
Most schools Of thought agree that
the trailer now has attained definite