Services of the American Automobile Association

Abstract

BACK in 1902, when the American Automobile Association was formed by delegates from nine small, new motor clubs, there were about 30,000 automobiles in the United States and the new fad of motoring was a vulnerable activity subject to attack from many directions. The automobile, or, as it was then generally called, the horseless carriage, was often referred to as the plaything of the rich, and quite a large faction of the public was openly hostile to it. Politicians, seeking public notice, took a whack at the motorist. those days windshields were considered dangerous, cars cranked on the side, rubber bulb horns cleared the way, motor lamps were lighted with great difficulty, stout ladies could not ride in the tonneau which was entered by a narrow slit in the rear of the car, and huge goggles and dusters were worn by everyone who ventured forth. A fifty-mile drive made the occupants resemble a wagon load of unwashed laundry. Tires were fearful contraptions to handle and a puncture practically ended the day's festivities. Such words as garage and tonneau were pronounced with difficulty by the proletariat and the gentleman who called to take a lady motoring and who wished to be modest about it, would better have accomplished his purpose by hiring a brass band. The most popular song of those days was In My Merry Oldsmobile. At present the association is composed of a band of over 600,000 motorists, most of whom are members of clubs affiliated with the National Organization. Over 90 per cent of all the functioning motor clubs in the United States belong to the Three A's and many of the clubs, now numbering over 500, are members of state motoring organizations. The system of government is patterned somewhat after our National Government, except that the executive officers and governing boards serve without compensation. The various affiliated bodies are represented on the national boards and all have a voice in the management of the central organization. the handling of state problems the clubs are banded together into state associations, and such powerful organizations as the Pennsylvania Motor Federation, the Ohio State Auto Association and the New York State Auto Association have been important factors in the formulation of wise motor laws in individual states. There are several Three A clubs, located in Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Missouri and northern California, that have more members today than there were automobiles in the United States when the American Automobile Association was born. Motor clubs have of recent years become the largest civic organizations in their communities, and such Three A organizations as the Columbus, Ohio, club and the Cincinnati, Ohio, club, with approximately 15,000 members; Scranton, Pa., with 8,000 members; Buffalo, New York, with 6,000 members; and Springfield, Mass., and Washington, D. C., with 4,000 members, and innumerable other clubs with a membership of 2,000 and more, will indicate the splendid support that motorists give to organizations operating in the public interest and in behalf of the motorists them-