Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-11-06

. great show this year. Today's
hours are to II pm, and II am. to
II pm. the remainder of the week.
Under the setting of The Arabian
Nights" the decorative motif, the
exhibition contradicts the title, for it
Is no fable. Nearly score makes of
machines, including nearly 70 mod
els, all shining in pristine splendor,
make an array that could not be
adequately described in 1001 nights
or articles, with the best publicity
man or press agent sitting at each
wheel.
The cars must be seen to be ap-
preciated. This is the only time all
can be seen together under one roof.
True, the majority of them already
are gracefully gliding along the
streets of the city, but only their
true value can be gained by COM
parison and by remembrance of the
old-timers who chugged and wheezed
along poorly-paved streets and
rntted highways. There is no
odium between the models of today
and those built in yesteryear, which
can only in fairness be regarded as
necessary stepping stones to today.
It was the brains and ingenuity Of
the early manufacturers that made
the present-day car possible. In
awarding appreciation and credit to
the industrialists of today, those in
ventors and their arduous achieve
ments of the past century should
not be forgotten nor their praises
unsung.
Clouds Are Lifting.
Washington has its calendar year,
It's fiscal year, and to that must be
added its automotive year. In the
latter should be included traffic
and highway improvement. Along
with the rest of the country, this
city has felt the results of business
uncertainty and labor difficulties.
They have had checking effect on
automotive pursuits. Now the
clouds have somewhat lifted and the
sunshine of hope augurs well.
In traffic the city has improved.
Fatalities and accidents have met a
substantial reduction. Congestion,
despite a registration of more than
300, 900 cars, a rapid population
growth and more gas miles per hour,
has eased little. Further improve
ment appears likely.
Highway work has been advanced.
The thoroughfares are in good phys
lcal condition. Streets have been
widened. Enterprises and over
passes are planned. New roads have
been extended and added. On the
whole, the picture looks good. Wash
ington is progressing. 1t is going
ahead.
But, back to the auto show and
Its kindred lines. Just what are the
real developments this year and
what do they mean? Actual de-
tailed Improvements of the various
cars may be found in another
column. But in general just what
Is the entire story in the proverbial
nutshell?
Well. it seems that 1899 motordom
has what might be described as
new theme song. 1t might be titled,
Nothing new to learn and more
safety" 1t is the appealing claim
that one can enjoy all the advan-
tages of the new mechanical fea-
lures of the latest models without
going to the trouble of taking a post
graduate course in driving. A few
high lights are worth mentioning
here.
Control Innovations Introduced.
Nothing new to learn, advertise
the manufacturers, with the excep-
ton only being the new motor num-
Der. With so much for the average
car owner yet to learn about the safe
handling of his car in difficult traf-
DC situations the new declaration is
something that should be hailed by
safety students everywhere as one
Of the most hopeful signs in the an
pual battle against accidents awheel.
When 1t Is considered that the new
season has introduced no end of
innovations in Car controls, it is a
big feather In the industry's cap that
the advantages of these improve
ments In control can be enjoyed
without requiring special schooling
on the part Of those who will benefit
by them. It would appear that the
Industry gradually is approaching
perfection. If this theme song can be
rendered in the years to come it
may be that the automobile can push
forward to greater heights of
achievement at an astonishing rate.
Too often the brakes of progress had
to be applied because the driver
had too many tricks to learn.
One outstanding feature, and by
10 means the only one, in the field
Of innovation which requires no new
skill on the part of the operator is
remote control of gear shifting. The
designers merely have placed the
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