Evening star., 1938-03-05
PARADE LAUNCHES
USED CAR WEEK
Safety and Prosperity Are
Linked in Campaign
Beginning Today.
BY G. ADAMS HOWARD.


observance Of National Used-Car Ex-
change Week. A parsde of its weakest
car members will start from Washing
ton Circle at 2:30 o'clock and will end
even If towing is necessary-at West
Virginia and New York avenue NE.
Lending their Official support to the
Used-Car Week program. the District
Commissioners yesterday issued
proclamation voicing the belief the
movement will improve traffic condi-
tions, reduce accidents and increase
employment.
All residents of the District were
urged to cooperate in the movement,
to assure its success, in the formal
statement adopted by the Commits
Sioners.
They said: "A concerted movement
to stimulate used-car sales and pave
the way for resumption Of automo-
bile manufacturing and employment
on normal basis has been inaugu-
rated by the American automobile in
dustry.
Cooperation Pledged.
THE business interests Of Washing
ton have pledged their enthusiastic
cooperation in this campaign.
This movement will improve trafic
conditions, reduce accidents and in
crease employment throughout the
country.
I'VE, the Commissioners of the Dis
trict OF Columbia, hereby proclaim the
week beginning March 5 and ending
March IL, 1898, as National Used
Car Exchange Week, and urge the CO.
operation of all citizens in insuring
its success"
The bonfire to end the days of local
cars which have passed their period
OF usefulness will take place at pm.
Monday instead of Tuesday, as origi-
nally planned. The local parade will
be in charge Of Police Supt. Ernest
w. Brown and George E. Keneipp.
manager of the Keystone Automobile
Club
The bonfire destruction OF the an
cient and obsolete machines. q menace
to the public highways, accumulated
by various dealers, will be supervised
by the American Automobile Assocta-
ton.
Other Cities Take Part.
The used car week has been ar
ranged to stimulate business condi-
tions here and is being carried on in
cooperation with other cities through
out the United States
The importance of the automobile
industry has long been recognized and
because Of its allied lines its aid to
the national welfare often has been
stressed. Therefore when the automo-
tive industry is prosperous it is apt
to follow that all business is good. In
this manner it really becomes
barometer.
Now, for various reasons, the sale
of automobiles has experienced a de-
cided slump. At the present time the
National Capital has not felt 1t as
much as in other sections The busi-
ness Of Government and the lack of
many factories have always been ben
eficial here whether during depression
or recession.
However, Washington automobile
dealers here are ready to do their part
in cooperating with the rest of the
country. The Automobile Manufac-
turers' Association has contributed
$l.500,000 to see that the used car
market is eased. Unquestionably the
sale of new cars will increase when
this is attained. When this happens,
production will increase and more
men will be employed.
So the District Of Columbia, as
usual. is going to do its part. Com
missioner Melvin c. Hazen, acting on
suggestions resulting from the recent
conference of President Roosevelt with
leading automobile manufacturers. has
appointed l0l civic and business lead
ers here to committee to sponsor
the movement for a local used car
week. This committee met and prom
ised full support to carry on plans
through the Washington Automotive
Trade Association which will act as
a general clearing house.
Used cars are to be brought up to
their best possible mechanical con-
dition. They are to be made as safe
as possible. Derelict ones as before
mentioned are to be burned
Washington intends to 60 forward
again. It hopes that its example will
be followed by the rest of the coun-
try in return to prosperity. happier
and safer times.
Pennsylvania Avenue Route.
Today's parade is to form on New
Hampshire avenue south of Washing
ton Circle, and proceed east on PENN
sylvania avenue to Fifteenth street,
then south to Pennsylvania avenue,
east 10 Fourth street, south to Con-
stitution avenue and east to Third
street, north to New York avenue, and
east to West Virginia avenue NE.
The order Of the parade will be as
follows:
/. Police motorcycle escort.
2. Marshal George Keneipp and
committee.
8. Keystone Automobile Club motor
cycle brigade with banners.
4. Washington Automotive Trade
Association officials.
S. Police Boys Club Band in bus
6. American Automobile Association
service car.
7. Three Metropolitan Police De-
partment cranes carrying jaloppies.
8. SO cranes, each carrying q
jabppy.
8. Holy Comforter Church Band.
10. 173 modern used cars.