Better Garages

Among vanishing Sunday morning pastimes is that of "working on the car." No blue law, but increasing familiarity with cars and extension of garage service, have brought the motor owner out from beneath his crankcase to stand and watch or sit at home waiting while a garage man fills the grease cups, tightens nuts, adjusts brakes, oils squeaks.

High grade garages couple such work with ordinary storage and washing service. None has found it more profitable than a group of capitalists and practical automobile men operating garages in Detroit, Chicago and Pittsburgh. Last week this group incorporated for $500,000 in Michigan as National Garages, Inc., and announced its intention to construct standard garages under one management in Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Dallas, Rochester and Manhattan

The new buildings will be of a specialized type that can be built for $1.90 per sq. ft. as against $3.35 for ordinary garages. Economies are effected in heating; speed is gained in handling. Chauffeurs will be loaned. Tenants of one city will be afforded free service in other cities on the chain.

Working with the bankers of National Garages, Inc. are Roy D. Chapin and Howard E. Coffin of the Hudson Motor Co., Alvan Macauley of Packard and W. Ledyard Mitchell of the Chrysler corporation. They realize that better garages, like the good roads for which Mr. Chapin has long fought, encourage Mr. Consumer to buy an automobile.