Evening star., 1952-02-28


fatal defects. although no com.
petent mechanic could possibly
have overlooked them.
The motorist from nearby
Maryland, where compulsory in
spections have been discontinued,
left the motor running to keep his
two small daughters warm while
he took another child into Freed
mems Hospital for treatment.
Broken Exhaust Proves Fatal.
Under the body Of the car, q
broken exhaust pipe breathed
odorless. colorless fumes into the
interior. The children became
drowsy. and sank into q deep
sleep that morning OF January so.
1t was a sleep from which they
never awoke.
Here was an example not soon
to be forgotten In o cloSely-knit
community where Maryland and
Virginia automobiles are as much
a part Of the Districts daily traf.
flc streams as the vehicles regis.
tered and inspected here.
In fact. the fatal defects Of this
sedan had been spotted at q Dis.
trict inspection station when q
prospective purchaser took It
through the line here to learn II
he could obtain District tags for
the vehicle. The car was rejected.
Is Mechanical Defects Found.
Prior TO the inquest. the ma.
chine was again inspected here.
Fifteen mechanical defects we're
fouhd In addition to the ieakAae
of exhaust fumes. 't'he brakes and
steHfitB gear were out 6f order,
as we're the lights and windshield
wiper
Parked OF rolling, The potential
threat Of this car was not e0hhRed
10 Maryland alener
The ease was called 90 The Atu
tentl8n OF Thomas B. Il, Mvdd,
Commissioner OF Meter Vehicles
Tor Maryland IN a letter from
4Faffie BlFeet9r Ge0Fge H. Kens
elppr dated February o. Mr.,
Renelpp said IN paFtI
" bFlnR this matter 10 ygHV ats
Atl9n Because ! think " emphar
SIZES the great Importance Of some
form OF compulsory inspection
pF9gFams In all the States, Had
Maryland had such an inspection,
" Is altogether possible that nel-
theF OF these deaths would have
occurred"
Points to Law Of 1899,
Mr., Mudd told The Star that
while he definitely" faVors some
sort OF Statewide inspection, he
believe that speed rather than me-
chanical failures can be blamed
for most fatal or serious traffic
accidents.
He pointed out that a State
law passed in 1929 gives him au-
thority to require periodic inspec-
tions. but that many owners of
garages previously designated as
inspection stations are opposed to
resumption Of the plan.
Operators of service stations in
nearby Maryland. with postwar
experience under the old system,
are in general agreement that the
State. and not the private owners,
should have full responsibility If
compulsory inspection is restored.
Some customers demanded in
Spection stickers without the in
spections. Failing in this. they
sought mechanical "okays" else
where. and sometimes got them on
their own terms, old-timers say,
Moreover, an adverse report
turned in to State authorities by
q private garage often meant O
lost customer.
Often Made No Charges.
The dealers were authorized to-
collect 50-cent fees for inspec-
tions. but often made no charge,
especially II repair work was done
at their places.
At Chevy Chase Motors this
service Is still rendered free to the
public. OF about 100 cars O week
passing through q check-up line
patterned after those in the Dis
trict, about 10 per cent are found
to have potentially dangerous de-
fects