Milford chronicle., 1958-01-24
OUR AUTOMOBILES

OUR AUTOMOBILES
Automobile makers have finally succeed
ed in getting all the states to issue the same
sized license tags. This will enable them to
design standard recess in bumpers, or else
where, which will fit the tags of all states.
In this same field, we think it would be
desirable for the states to agree on certain
safeguards, and-if ecessary-require the
man lfacturers to build these into cars sold
in these states.
To avoid undue hardship on the part of
manufacturers, the several states should set
up Joint safety committee, perhaps formed
of men from the highway departments in the
states, and this committee, through unani-
nous action only, could arrive at safety rec
concentrations.
1t may be true that very few of the COM
mittee's recommendations would be apprOv
ed by all the states, but if the committees
unanimous agreement were necessary, it is
likely that such recommendation would be
acted on by the vast majority of the state
legislatures
Among things which could be considered
are the questions of headlight and wind
shield systems which eliminate glare, hy-
draulic bumpers (Which would save many
lives), shoulder harnesses stronger, crush
proof tops and other safety innovations.
Studies have shown that today's automo-
biles could be far safer than they are. But,
as with the case of hackward-seating in air.
liners, business executives are often hesitant
to risk safety addition which could reduce
profits and which would not sell the product,
since the public is mot always safety-consci-
Gus.
1t would be far better for the states to
have their committee to make recommends
tions than for the federal government to
eventually step into the picture and regulate
automobile construction with a system of
inspection, licenses, permits and the other
red tape that goes with Washington control.
THE BEST FOR THE LEAST
The reconvened Congress has plenty of
business on it's hands. 1t is flooded with pro-
posed laws touching on every conceivable
phase of the national life. The problem, SO
to speak, is TO separate the wheat from the
chaff of possible legislation.
In the domestic field, a series of laws>re-
lating to transportation should be given
top spot on the agenda.
The primary purpose of this Legislative
effort-which has the full support of farm
and business organizations, top men in the
government, newspapers and magazines
throughout the country, and all manner of
other groups-is to get rid of outmoded reg
ulatory policies and PHILOSOPHERS which are
hangover from the days when the railroads
had virtual monopoly of commercial trans
portation.
For instance, if a railroad wants to
charge lower rate for doing job than is
charged by a competitor it frequently finds
that it is not allowed tom the grounds that
this would take business away from the COM
petitor. That is much as if store was de-
MED the right to cut prices because business
would be taken away from another store
down the street
These proposed laws would give each and
every form of domestic transportation the
opportunity to compete on fair and equit-
able basis-and to make the most of their
own special advantages That means the
public would get the best of service at the
lowest cost.
KREMLIN MOTIVES
The prospects of new talks, and possibly
a new summit conference, appear to be great
er with each passing day. Both inside the
Soviet Union and on the world level, the
Kremlin leadership is calling and propagan-
dizing for conference. But what is striking
in Western discussion of the subject is that
many who either favor or oppose new talks
make no attempt to analyze Russian motives
and policy and the present position of both
the Soviet Union and it's leadership.
What are the possible motives impeiling
the Russian demand? What would be the
result if no conference were held? Would
this constitute a defeat for the Kremlin?
Or would it give the Russian leaders an add
ed propaganda advantage either at home or
abroad, or in both regions? If conference
is held and the results are inadequate, will
this be a blow to Khruschev? These and
many more questions need to be thought of
and dealt with, but few of those involved in
the present debate for and against confer
ence are tacklng such questions.
There is striking limitation of ideas i'll
Western countries. This limitation is en-
phatically evident i'm the United States Even
two sputniks have not deepened American
thinking as much as should be the case.