After receiving all the sober "happy new year" felicitations in the form of a personal wish from our industry friends it helps me reflect over a year that was not all that it should have been or a year that was not all that was hoped for.

It is my feeling that our readers will obtain sound evidence of the stronger year ahead from some of the leaders in our industry who invest substantial funds to ably predict what is about to happen. For this reason we have included these special interview quotes from these key men who have their hand on the pulse of the fleet business. Their cogent comments collectively constitute the best summary available relating to the immediate future and may well assist you in some of your decisions in the coining weeks and months. Traditionally, our January issue is our leasing issue and this year we have provided a package that may not be a "must" on the reference library of the pro in our business, but beyond this handful it will offer a complete condensation of the myriad of data that consistently comes forth as necessary for the man who has a responsibility to consider leasing; or reconsider leasing.

The three part feature will be reprinted for all those newcomers into the business and will aid us in the bulk of mail requests that come in daily requesting help, basic help, in the area of leasing. Our staff has thoroughly studied, researched, and interviewed to create the transitional series on the ever-constant questions of "Should I own or lease?" "How can I be use to choose the right lessor?" and "What plan is best for me?"

Additionally, our mail underscored the need for an updated costing story on the expense of business mileage. Cost versus reimbursement continues to be one of our hottest topics. Because of the relationship with total car management control our staff felt that it would provide the proper adjunct to a leasing summary and it is presented for that reason. It also will be reprinted for lasting reference for our readers.

'68 may be remembered in our industry as that year that signified the advent of the shoulder harnesses. Any good editor that is wise enough to recognize the virtues of motherhood, the flag and being against sin must also be fully aware of the need for safety as a prime motivation among fleet managers with a responsibility for dozens of high mileage men driving company cars and risking their lives with every mile.

Perhaps we are misreading our field interviews and those surveys that show that less than 40% of today motorists are using seat belts but we will be watching with interest the reaction of the public and the fleet companies who have to shell out that extra dough for harnesses; knowing full well that the percentage of users of harnesses just has to be less than that of those using seat belts ... and the cost to the total car buying business and public just has to be staggering. There is already strong evidence that virtually none of the original cost of this and other safely equipment will be redeemed at resale time. With our readers alone purchasing some 900,000 new cars in '68 and figuring the harnesses at about $20 extra, we have suddenly increased the cost to the fleet industry by $1,800,000.

We will maintain our stand for motherhood, the flag (and against sin) but are we so alone in our feeling that is shared by so many of the industry leaders, that these monies could be so much more wisely invested in vehicle inspection and better driver training and qualification? As you ponder this question I hope it will evoke you into action with your congressmen before we are legislated into a set of new regulation that come before the obvious.