New-York tribune., 1896-11-23

'hat the general Introduction Of horseless vehi-
cies VIII be facilitated by the enactment Of the
new statutes; but any sudden displacement of
nurses IN English cities is not to be seriously
apprehended or hoped for Sixty years ago the
uooih OF the stage and mail coaches was sounded
by the locomotive whistle on the first English
railway; but the old-fashioned vehicles re-
NAMED on the roads for many day after the
queens first coaching trip to Brighton, which
is the destination of to-day's motley caravan
or jumping bicycles oil tanks and electric traps
of all kinds.
AN OLD IDEA REVIVED.
ihoeed' the motor-car is. after all, an old Idea
Which mas been revived after being forgotten
william symington's steam carriage, con-
structed during the reign Of George III, was
motor-car. Other mechanical contrivances
which preceded the introduction of RAILWAYS
were designed for use in the streets. and some
or them were capable Of making ten miles an
hour When the Queen was passing her first
years on the throne Hancock's steam cmnibuses
were running between Paddngton and the
Bank, and vehicles which were essentially
motor-cars. although from their weight they
couId hardly have been defined under the pres
ent act as Tight locomotives" were making
their rounds in Piccadilly and the Strand The
same relation to the gas engines and electric
motors OF to-day's parade as the boys veloci-
pede or thirty years ago sustains to the per-
fected bicycles of the present time but II re-
mains true. nevertheless. that the idea is an
old one. and has been caught up ard carried out
after long period of suspended activity.
The parade Of to-day is a holiday affair. which
will not determine the relative merits Of the
od to
demonstrate the Importance OF pneumatic tires
for motor-cars. if it left the choice OF motor
an open question between steam, petroleum and
electricity. High speed was not attempted. and
the record made during the recent long distance
competition in France. average of over six
teen miles an hour for the best machines.
not even remotely approached. No prizes were
awarded, and racing was not attempted II
was a public exhibition in which the present
state of development of new and important
industry was accurately illustrated and II left
little room for doubt that while horses may
not be out Of the streets Of London either
this year or the next. Il great advance has been
made toward the satisfactory solution of the
transit question. both In large centres or popu-
lation and in agricultural districts. The prob
lem has not yet been worked out. but it is in
d fair way to be mastered completely.
COMMERCIAL FACTORS OF TIE PROBLEM.
There is apparently no lack Of faith among
capitalists in the future of the motor-car In
dustry, Coventry. birmingham. Colchester and
other towns are competing for the distinction or
originating and developing this industry; ana
a series OF syndicates has been formed. with
solid masses Of capital behind them. to control
the trade. The services OF the unique Mr..
Hooley. the chief stock promoter In the employ
Of the British aristocracy are not yet required
for the purchase Of companies and the consollua-
tion of interests. The time for his Intervention
will come when the electric omnibuses arc
trundling merry in every thorOughfare. ana
when the London cabby twrls a lever instead
of flOurlshing whip and forcing his horse
into gentle trot Then there will be series
Of deals. with something uncommonly Ike
trust as the final result. f)r-tell II not IN any
protectionist Gath,-such things are constantly
happening in Free Trade England
What is apparent to even the most super
fetal observer IL that motor-cars cannot be
introduced on large n scale as to dispace the
use of horses in town and country unless thc
prices Of these vehicles are greatly reduced
They are now manufactured at prices when
prohibit their employment for commercial ana
business purposes. and the organization OF these
great syndicates for controlling production end
regulating prices is not a good augury Tor the
approac hing revolution in traction. AS rich
mans fad, the motor-car is not destined 20 nave
a long lease Of popularity in any country; but
IL the machinery can be simplihed. safe and
satisfactory motor he found. and the cost or
the vehicle be heavily reduced. the new IN
dustry will become far more important than
that OF cycles. enormous as the recent devcl pp-
ment OF 1t has been. l. y. +.