00100	IN DEFENSE OF THE AUTOMOBILE
00200	
00300	
00400		In this article, I would like to make a case for continuing
00500	to regard the automobile as the basis of the transportation
00600	system of the United States.
00700	
00800		The following arguments are made against relying on the
00900	automobile as the main means of personal transportation in
01000	the United States:
01100	
01200		1. Air pollution.
01300	
01400		2. Impending fuel shortage.
01500	
01600		3. Waste of natural resources.
01700	
01800		4. Traffic.
01900	
02000		5. Accidents.
02100	
02200		6. Parking problem.
02300	
02400		7. Encourages suburban sprawl.
02500	
02600		8. Too expensive for the poor.
02700	
02800		9. Not usable by children, the infirm, and the very
02900	old.
03000	
03100		The advantages of the automobile are few but decisive:
03200	
03300		1. It permits convenient access to a larger area than any
03400	other means of transportation.
03500	
03600		2. It permits the transport of rather large quantities of
03700	material as well as people.  Things wanted while travelling can
03800	be kept in the automobile.
03900	
04000		3. It is the most comfortable means of transportation in
04100	bad weather, because you can get it close to the house and
04200	most destinations.
04300	
04400		4. It provides privacy.
04500	
04600		5. It is more comfortable than many other modes of transport.
04700	
04800		Let us consider the disadvantages in detail now and
04900	see how important they are.
05000	
05100		1. Air pollution.  In my opinion, the 1974 air quality
05200	standards may be good enough.  It will take a while to see whether
05300	we will be satisfied with the air quality that will be achieved
05400	when cars not meeting them are scrapped, and I think we should
05500	wait and see.  This would mean an indefinite postponement of the
05600	tougher 1975 standards.