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About The Oregon statesman. (Salem, Or.) 1916-1980 | View Entire Issue (May 12, 1929)
TdkcitheRodcziIlea$ci iht Day fcr HcterixU czd . ja&sr ess? Iniustrid UT-OF' Outdoors Folk 71e Farm amf FiW Automotive Information The New OREGON STATESMAN, Salem, Oregon, Sunday Morning, May 12, 1929 1 . IKE ROADS BETTER AUTOS OF SAFETY HEEDED Modern Traffic Demands a ""Wider Lane for All of Traffic Most automobiles now being made have a speed cf at least 50 miles an hour. Car speeds and the great vol ume of traffic row thrown on the roads are exerting a beneficial In fluence on highway design and construction. In the early days of rural pavement laying, for In stance, many surfaces were built to a width of no more than 16 feet, scarcely room enough for a load of hay and a car. Later, an 18-foot pavement width was adopted by most states with the thought ha six yard3 would surely be adequate for two passing auto mobiles. lO-Foot Lane Xecdcd Recently, however, experience and government tests have dem onstrated that in th interest of speed with safety a rapidly ravel ing car should have a ten-foot lane. Some drivers, of course. should have even more space, but highway authorities are in accord on a 20-foot width for the ordin ary rural road subjected to fairly heavy traffic. Oregon, Illinois Michigan and Wisconsin are among the states now specifying 20-foot pavements on well traveled roads. Twenty per cent of the mileage of rural ents built on federal aid projects last year wcr 20 feet in wMth. New York, particularly, has gone in for even wider rural apvements with many being built 27, 36 and 40 feet wide. Pavements Improved Safety Is being Introduced into pavements through other medi urns, such as smooth surfaces, easier curves of a pitch suitable for fairly high speeds, wider shoulders, greater sight- distance at curves, better guard rails, betr ter grade crossing facilities such as under-Dasses. and better de signed highway Intersections. Where traffic fs quite heavy. streets and roads are in some in stances being separated at inter sections through the elevation of one thoroughfare over the other - The cost of such structure." la soon returned through the elim ination of congestion. Rotary Intersections Feature Less expensive but quite suit able arrangements for co-Uinu ous and safe travel at intersec tions may be made Notably in New York and New Jersey, traffic circles, sometimes called lotary Intersections, are in service. There consist simply of a circular pave ment into which traffic pours from the intersecting highways. This avoids all left hand turns one of the greatest contributors to accidents. Some states are adding two ex .. tra lanes to all highways at the the intersection. This extra fpace permits a free flow of cars. An other method is the curved inter section wherein each of the cross roads Is Joined to those adjacent by a curve, cutting off the corner and forming a simple design sim ilar to that on some of grand mother's old comforters. Durant Dealers Elated by Spectacular Ascent of Big Mountain by Sport Roadster OAKLAND, May 11. Climaxinsr a series of srlowinar demonstrations staged by Durant dealers throughout the country to prove the wwer, speed and durability of Durant motor cars, a new Durant Six Cixty sport roadster has brok en all speed and high gear records up Mount Diablo. News was received here by the Salem Auto company. Driven by H. T. Kuhlman of Oakland, and officially ob served by Forrest Predmore, well known Eastbay newspaper man, the Durant clipped 27 and 2-5 seconds off of the former record to win the famous challenge trophy offered by the Oakland Post-Enquirer for the fastest time for the run. The new Durant mark is 23 minutes, 15 and 4-5 seconds. President Views Triumph Here is Vast Area for Oregon's Playground TO TOrR ALASKA Karl W. Onthank. executive sec retary of the University of Ore gon, will direct the summer ses sion tour next August when the teamer Queen will take 185 stu dents along the picturesque Alas kan shores. The coveted cup, offered as a symbol of outstanding perform ance, was awarded last week to Norman de Vaux, president and George R. Scott, vice president of the Durant Motor company of Cal ifornia, by Predmore, who acted also as the newspaper's official ob server during the record run. In order to give previous hold ers of the cup an. opportunity to protest the run, which, under the rules of competition must e made In a strictly stock car by an ama teur driver, the record-breaking Durant was held under lock and key for forty-eight hours by Pred more. Eleven and six-tenths miles of steady climbing that reaches the highest point in the San Francisco Bay region, makes Kuhlman's re markable time average approxi mately 30 miles an hour. The toll road leading from the south gate near Danville to the summit of Mount Diablo is known throughout the west both for its many scenic attractions and for its steep gradient. Locked in High Gear Not satisfied with winning the honor of making the fastest time up the famous slope, the Durant Six Sixty was sent over the route locked in-high gear. Previous to the start of this event, the gear shift lever was removed by Kuhl man and given to the custody of Lieut. Charles Hemphill, head of the Oakland Traffic squad, who participated In the tests as an of ficial observer. With seldom a stralght-away on the entire course, on which to gain momentum for sharp turns and steep grades, the Durant Six Sixty easily negotiated the steep grade in high gear. Gleaming in its finish of polished lacquer and chromium plating, the' roadster literally climbed the rocks on the Diablo summit in the presence of Hemphill, Predmore and a score of observers. Many Sharp Turns on Road No finer demonstration of me chanical excellence and perfect balance and roadabil'.ty could be given than that shown by the Du rant Six Sixty, is the opinion of those who witnessed the perform ance. While the distance is com paratively short and the roadway is an excellent mountain road, there are many sharp turns around which high speed must be maintained to establish such a record as that made by the new Durant. Two facts which further indi cate the power, speed, stamina and in-built quality of Durant mo tor cars were pointed out by those in charge of the run. One, that the car was practically new, having been driven less than 1,000 miles. The other, that noth ing except the top was removed to make the car lighter. "The performance of Durant In these events certainly bears out the claim of Durant builders for their newest product," said Pred more following the run. U EI Ifl 1 TO MILLION 1 Half of the Goal Passed This Month; Orders Flood Factory DETROIT, May 10 Evidence of the widespread popularity of the new six-cylinder Chevrolet was revealed here this week In an announcement by R. H. Grant, vie president of the Chevrolet Motor company in charge of sales, that more than a half million of the new cars have been placed on first 'of !the CAPITALIST, DIES SAN DIEGO. Cal.. May 9 -(AP) A. S. Bridges, widely known San Diego capitalist and philanthropist, died late last night at his home on Point Loma. the road since the year. A significant feature of this achievement, it was noted, is the fact that Chevrolet In four months built a greater number of six-cylinder cars than any other automo bile manufacturer has ever pro duced in an entire year. This figure would have been even greater, Mr. Grant pointed out, if Chevrolet had been able to take Immediate care of the tre mendous volume of orders with which the factory has ben flooded since the introduction of the new car. w Records Set "Nearly every month this year has seen a new monthly produc tion record," said Mr. Grant. "In order to satisfy the demand for cars pouring in from nearly every section of the country our output has been increased as fast as con sistent with the precision-manufacturing methods which Chevro let employs." To signalize the achievement of placing on the road more than 500,000 cars in less than four months' time, Chevrolet secured John Phillip Sousa and his world famous band for an hour's broad cast over a nation-wide hook-up Monday, May 6th. Only once be fore has the celebrated march king been heard on the radio. That was at the Hoover acceptance speech at Sanford university. SOUSA WELCOME TRIUMPH Although Soura has played to more people than aay other di rector in the history ot band mus is, appearing once before a single audierce of 153,000 people at the International Exposition in Glas gow, America's grand old march king had one of the largest audi ences that ever listened to one musical offering. Thirty-nine stations, extending from coast to coast and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, were linked together for Sousa's Chev rolet concert. Chevrolet officials expressed themselves as highly gratified that Sausc accepted the Chevrolet hour on the General Motors pro gram to make his second appear ance before the microphone. TRIPS Truck Has Varied Qualities 11 II A OA8CADB WONDERLAND f I Th wonders f tfc Cascades of Oregon rVivScii II as well a the vut interior resources ef a .v .iSjfjn F&'firJ I II the state and Us Willamette Taney district ffiy "fijg'AS'1 'fT If M Q 1 1 are all touched by the taste highways shewn c M X f7 f 1 1 en this mas prepared by a gToap of chant- " .tTSS -- tL m?C 1 1 II bars of commerce in southern and eastern jvk aj II Of Immediate Interest to Salem is the "t J l V Jf X r T II projected North Santiam highway running .ft "-rIwsMf "'SS1 V""" k T I II through Milli City to Detroit... From theie "tSl!f5iS!l 'I W A I r II new construction wfll be seeded to take th '-SVvTg .SsJ jiiaifcaP I II road south past Marlon lak and to the "jZ&p ' ' Sm - ,T J I Junction of a road now leading northwest jl vV Jl f "V 31 Th South Santiam road which is also jJ m r -'-ii . ? M) HI being pushed would lead from beyond Ca- rVJra1 F - " - I eadia to a Junction with the highway going TjfStEfS? Ml ii---rl ! t i ii - n ,:f;.v. -l - sr a.. zs-tL-"'up-fs'.iii.'-;:-t.r-'- x -.yr at 'jtT lP Tilaialll I" I 1 $m&&m a i PROVED AS ONE OF BEST PUNS Oregon Motorist Indeed Is Fortunate in Being Free to Travel "Oregon motorists who deaire to see more of Oregon are very fortunate In the number of loop trips available to them," stated A. E. (Ed) Shearer,, manager of the touring depaartment of the Oregon State Motor association. "Alternate routes have been de veloped by the extension of our state highway system In almost every section of the state making loop trips possible wlich add a great deal more variety to the trip without additional exper. or mileage. "These numerous loop trips in Oregon make unnecessary th "bee-line" tour of poine straight to the motorist's destination and returning by the same route. In traveling this way, the niotorit-t misces oneo f the most glorious aspects of long distance trsvelir.g its variety. Bee-Line" Route Avolill "In its vast experience in map ping the routes of millions of motor travelers, the Oregon State Motor association has conftrrfi one of Its most valuable service by avoiding bee-line touring where possible." continued Mr. Shearer. "Where the trip i ot in which speed is th most Tital factor, of course, this is not done. In those Instances in which pleas ure, relaxation and education are the primary objectives of the Journey, however, variety alla greatly to the fruits or the trip. "The wonderful development of Oregon roads has changed the situation in which there was only one good link between various points. While one may be mor direct than, another, there gner ally Is an excellent way to go an an qually splendid one by which to return. Motor club tourlrg counsellors regard It as one of their duties to point out this fact to the member whore trip they are mapping out. Rare Against Clock Opp-d "Making the tour as inrlusi as possible within a limited timo and yet avoiding the danger of making it a constant race against the clock demands an advance preparation that the prospective traveler should undertake be cause of the rich dividends It pays," said Mr. Shearer. "To fol low any other course is to chanoe mistakes along the route whih will prey heavily upon one's trme and one's enjoyment of what should be the greatest event of the motoring heart. "Among the sections of Oregon with alternate routings which al low for" loop trips. Mr. Shearer pointed out the numerous loop trips avaailable between the coast points on the Roosevelt highway and the Pacific highway such as Portland, Astoria, Tillamook. Mr Mlnnville loop, the Newport-Cor-vallis loop, the Reedsport- Marsh field loop and the Coquile. Gold Beach, Crescent City. Grants Pp.m loop." L. Anderson, Inc.. local DeSoto dealer, recently. Ruth has bee in the automobile business v en years. OttJLri i3kL J4U& 1 THESE vj. jyjWf KCW SHOWING i -W. C Conner, Statesman Staff Photographer, Chevrolet, with Its new, larger ami more powerful track, enters into a ww and varied field this vear. The Browning Shows play many ont-or-way piacee as well at Uie larger cities and cnose Ue Chevrolet Truck because of its abundance of power when power is needed and for its smooth high ' speed on the highways. The picture shows one of the several distinctive original units put out by the Dnuela McKay Chevrolet company. George Allen of the local Chevrolet Agency Is responsible for the ale to William Browning, manager "of the Browning shows. ' ''' ' Heard Along Auto Row G. W. Wentworth, president of Wentworth & Irwin, Inc.tr of Port land, was a visitor at the F. W. Pettyjohn Motor company early in the week. Mr. Wentworth was in Salem in connection with Nash affairs of Marion and Polk coun ties. F. W. Pettyjohn was in Salem Thursday from Eugene. The new 400" Nash Special Six roadster, Nash's latest creaa- tion, was received in Salem early in the week and is now on display in the showrooms of the F. W. Pettyjohn company. The new car is finished in re cta y and beige with orange wire wheels. Pettyjohn's received one of the first of the new -models to be shipped to the Pacific coast. las, Falls City, Independence, and Salem Friday evening in the assembly-room of the Valley Motor company. The meeting was called In order that an explanation of the inereaased production of Ford factories be given. The Firestone Tire & Rubber company called a meeting Thurs day night at the Valley Motor company assembly-room for ser vice men employed by the Valley Motor company. The processes used In manufacturing tires were shown In moving pictures. E. O. AVelllng, foreman, and Walter Holman, mechanic, of the State Motors, spent Sunday fish ing 1 nthe Santiam above Stay ton. Although there were many fishermen in hat district the catches were reported as small. Welling and Holman .brought home nineteen trout. agency. The Marquette Is a cheaper car than the Buirk and will be carried by Buirk dealers. Five models will be on hand for the first showing in Salem. A new "Station Wagon" which was built for a local country club has been received hy the Valley Motor company. The automobile is of Ford make and will accom modate, six people in addition to the driver. The light-colored wooden body is by Murray and is very striking in appearance. The new country club bus will be on display in the Valley Motor showrooms for several days. ney Wright, who purchased the Ford agency in St. Helens a few weeks ago. The family of L. E. Keithly. mechanic at State Motors, ar rived In Salem from Los Angeles last week. Mr. Keithly came to Salem eight months ago and plans to make his home here. C. A. Bullwinkel, branch man ager of the Ford Motor company The Marquette, new com pan- in Portland; conducted a meeting Ion car to the Buick, will be on of Ford dealers of McMlnnvflle, display June 1, In the snowrooms Sheridan, Mill City. Srayton, Dal- of the Otto J. Wilson Buick F. G. Gordon, sales manager for the Reo Sales & Service com pany, reports a thirty-pound sal mon as part of his last . Sunday's catch at Xeskowin. A peculiar story is that being told at the Otto J. Wilson Buick agency: One of selling to a butch er, a baker, and almost to a can dlestick maker in the same day. Recently a butcher in Indepen dence and a baker in the same town bought Buick cars and a dealer in electric fixtures in an other valley town became a pros pect for a sale. Henry Iricar, used car man Vlck Brothers, returned lat week from a two weks' trip in Califor nia. Izicar claims to have een "all ISO Mexican soldiers do in Caliexco." A. J. Vick and W. J. Barhana accompanied by their families fished in the Salmon river Sun-diy. H. F. Bonestccle was in land Friday on business. Port- For the first time in years the Valley Motor company is keeping its display rooms open until O o'clock each evening except Sunday. Troy Wood took delivery on a new model Ford town sedan last week. This Is the second Ford in Wood's "Drive Yourself" fleet. O. S. Lapham, who for seven years was connected with the Ford Motor compaany in Portland and who for the past year has been representative for tha Chevrolet company In that city, arrived In Salem Thursday to take over his duties as sales manager of the JC vv. Kum, iormeny ox me to. Mr. Lanhani fills the nlareleft I R- DeLay Motor company or Fort vacant by, the resignation of Bar- land, Joined the sale staff of W. - f. W. Rmithpeter, formerly sales manager of the Xaeh agency in Klamath Falls, arrived in Sa lens early last week to take over his duties as manager of the sales department of the Fitzgerald Sherwin Motor company. Offers Real Service Each Sunday the Oregon Statesman Issues the latent news of motor-dom to its aders in the form of a spe cial auto section. New roads to travel, new tales of the cars being prov, dared by leading manufac turers, these and other p- to-theminute developments are relayed to the public In this section which Is an ex elusive, feature, with. The Statesman in the -Salens newspaper field.. . -