Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 119, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1918 — INSPECT BRAKES ON AUTOMOBILES [ARTICLE]

INSPECT BRAKES ON AUTOMOBILES

Movement Backed by Prominent Manufacturers, Police and Insurance Men. CONGRESS MAY TAKE ACTION Sixty Per Cent or More of Accidents Due to Poor Condition of Steering Gear—Thorough Inspection Is Urged. Prominent automobile, police and insurance men throughout the United States are backing a national movement for the inspection of automobile brakes. The agitation for such a movement has grown out of the success in bringing about the proper suppression of glaring headlights, which, in the opinion of those high in the automobile world, Is the lesser evil of the two. The matter Is receiving nation-wide attention and tt is not Impossible that legislation may be instituted before this session of congress closes looking toward regular Inspection of brakes. Brakes Often to Blame. T. D. Pratt, executive secretary of the Motor Truck club of America, in a letter says: “Our experience has shown us that sixty per cent or more of the automobile accidents are caused by brakes or steering gears being in poor condition, and the large proportion of this percentage is due to poor brakes.” Although no compulsory legislation has been passed to date compelling such an inspection, it has had the indorsement of such officials as Arthur Woods, former police commissioner of New York city, and Francis M. Hugo, secretary of state, New York. The popularity of the movement, those who are interested in it say, must rgst upon the voluntary support of automobile owners. Frequent Inspections Urged. The plan of the brake inspection movement is to prevail on every motorist and truck owner to have his brakes inspected by his dealer at the opening of the season and at frequent intervals thereafter. It is called to his attention that the brake rods can usually be turned up two or three times before new brake lining is needed. A simple adjustment of the equalizers will frequently make the brakes safe instead of dangerous. As the movement grows, some official seal will be devised which will be placed on the car, showing the date’ of last inspection. The one proposed is a small seal disk bearing the words, “Brakes inspected 1918.”