Free Wheels by Arthur Hailey Page A

elaborated, "I mean an alibi for not having, a crash program to make a g ood, cheap engine -steam o r electric, or both. That's how we got to the moon, isn't it .”
    She added pertly, "If you'll remember, that was my first question .”
    "I remember," Elroy Braithwaite said. Unlike the other men, he did not remove his gaze from the junction of skirt and thighs, bu t held it there deliberatel y ,. There were several seconds of silence in which most women would have fidgeted or been intimidated. The brunette, self-assured, entirely in control, made clear that she was not. Still not looking up, the Silver Fox said slowly, "What was the question again, Monica .”
    "I think you know .”
    Only then did Braithwaite, out maneuvered, lift his head. He sighed. "Oh, yes-the moon. You know, there are (lays I wish we'd never got there. It's produced a new clich e . Nowadays, the moment there's any kind of engineering hangup, anywhere, you can count on somebody saying: We got to the moon, didn't we? Why can't we solve this .”
    "If she hadn't asked," The Wall Street journal said, "I would. So why can't we .”
    "I'll tell you," the vice-president snapped. "Quite apart from the space gang having unlimited public money-which we haven't-they had an objective: Get to the moon. You people are asking us, on the vague basis of things you've read or heard, to give development of a steam or electric engine for cars that kind of all-or-nothing, billions-in-the-kitty priority. Well, it so happens that some of the best engineering brains in this business think it isn't a practical objective, or even a worthwhile one. We have better ideas and other objectives .”
    Braithwaite passed a hand over his silver mane, then nodded to Adam. He gave the impression of having had enough. "W h at we believe," Adam said, "is that clean air-at least air not polluted by motor vehicles can be achieved best, fastest, and most cheaply through refinements of the present gasoline internal combustion engine, along with more improvements in emission control and fuels. That includes the Wankel engine which is also an internal combustion type .”
    He had deliberately kept his voice low key. Now he added, "Maybe that's not as spectacular as the idea of steam or electric power but there's a lot of sound science behind it .”
    Bob Irvin of the Detroit News spoke for the first time. "Quite apart from electric and steam engines, you'd admit, wouldn't you, that before Nader, Emerson Vale, and their kind, the industry wasn't nearly as concerned as it is now about controlling air pollution .”
    The question was asked with apparent casualness, Irvin looking blandly through his glasses, but Adam knew it was loaded with explosive. He hesitated only momentarily, then answered, "Yes, I would .”
    The three other reporters looked at him, surprised. "As I understand it," Irvin said, still with the same casual manner, "we're here because of Emerson Vale, or in other words, because of an auto critic. Right .”
    Jake Earlham intervened from his window seat. "We're here because your editors-and in your case, Bob, you person ally asked if we would respond to some questions today, and we agreed to. It was our understanding that some of the questions would relate to statements which Mr. Vale had made, but we did not schedule a press conference specifically because of Vale .”
    Bob Irvin grinned. "A bit hair-splitty, aren't you J ake .”

 

     
     

    The Vice-President Public Relations shrugged. 1 guess .”
    From Jake Earlham's doubtful expression now and earlier, Adam suspected he was wondering if the informal press meeting had been such a good idea. "In that case," Irvin said, "I guess this question wouldn't be out of order, Adam .”
    The columnist seemed to ruminate, shambling verbally as he spoke, but those who knew him were aware bow deceptive this appearance was. "In your opinion have the auto critics-let's take Nader and safety-fulfilled a useful function .”
    The question was