00100	PROSPECTUS FOR SYMPOSIUM ON THE LONG TERM FUTURE OF THE AUTOMOBILE
00200	
00300	
00400		Today, many people believe that the days of the automobile as
00500	the main means of personal transportation are numbered.  They see the
00600	problems  of  pollution,  fuel shortage, limitation of resources, and
00700	congestion as unsolvable.   Some  think  the  problems  shouldn't  be
00800	solved even if they can be, because use of automobiles is inefficient
00900	and socially undesirable, and all it provides us can be  provided  by
01000	improved  public  transportation.   Others  hold  the  view  that the
01100	current problems all can be solved and should be solved.
01200	
01300		The  purpose  of  this  symposium  is  to  elicit  thoughtful
01400	presentations  of  the  various  points  of  view, to narrow and make
01500	precise the areas of disagreement or lack of knowledge, and  to  help
01600	the members of the audience determine their positions on the issues.
01700	
01800		Participants  in  the  symposium  are  asked  to  address the
01900	following questions:
02000	
02100		1.    Are  there  problems  which  will   prevent   America's
02200	continued  reliance  on  the  automobile?  If the answer is yes, what
02300	problem and why is it unsolvable?
02400	
02500		2. If all the problems are solvable, tell whatever  you  care
02600	to  about  the solutions of the problems of energy supply, pollution,
02700	materials, and congestion.
02800	
02900		3.  Is  the  automobile  worth  preserving?   If   so,   what
03000	advantages  do you see it as having over public transportation?  What
03100	disadvantages do you admit, and how might they be overcome or must we
03200	suffer them?
03300	
03400		Some more specific questions are:
03500	
03600		1.  When  will  we  have  to  switch  to  another  fuel  than
03700	petroleum? At what price levels will other fuels be available?
03800	
03900		2. Will automobile usage saturate in the United States?  What
04000	will  the  dimensions  of  the congestion and energy problems be when
04100	saturation has occurred?
04200	
04300		3. Will the piston engine be replaced?  With what?
     

00100	SHORT TERM AND LOCAL CONSIDERATIONS
00200	
00300	
00400		1. Should hitchhiking be made respectable?
00500	
00600	2. Should parking be restricted?
00700	
00800	3. Should sports and art based on the automobile be banned as
00900	inappropriate?
04400