The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-27

The horseless carriage seen on Indian
apolis streets yesterday die not quite
fulfill the ideal of what such a vehicle
should be, being rather too heavy and
clumsy in appearance for pleasure car
riage, but it serves as a forerunner of
better things to come A few years ago
it would have been regarded with much
more wonder and admiration than now,
and accepted as a complete and final So
luton Of the local transportation prob
lem: now the public is SO well prepared
to expect improvements and discoveries
in every line of invention that 1t no long
er assumes any mechanical contrivance
to be the final result in that direction.
The bicycle is an instance of the sort of
evolution that has come to be expected.
Twenty-Five Yeas ago or more it began
as a velocipede, developed into the high
wheel but recently abandoned, en- iarged
itself as an experiment into the tricycle.,
and. at last. resulted in the safety"
without which no personal equipment of
young or old is at present complete.
Even yet no one supposes the bicycle has
reached the degree of perfection beyond
which nothing more can be looked for.
Ingenious brains everywhere are at work
studying to improve the almost peerless
undoubtedly succeed in adding to its
charms.
The history Of the horseless carriage
will be of the same character. AS yet
1t is only in an experimental stage. The
problem is to make lightweight, easy
running vehicle, operated by a satisfac-
tory motive power. Neither point has
been achieved, though the various wag-
ons made and in use in foreign countries
and in some of our eastern cities are re-
garded with much favor and answer
many requirements. But with all the ex-
pert machinists and inventors now di-
recting their attention that way, their
speedy Improvement is inevitable. Elec-
tricity is the ideal motive power for such
vehicles. but up to this time no satisfac-
tory adaptation of this force has been ac-
complished. The right method Of appli-
cation will undoubtedly be found IN time,
however; the heavy machinery new nec-
essary will be lightened, and wagons and
carriages suitable to all needs of trans
portation will come into common use.
Neither will the time be long before this
change takes Dtace. When the great
and swift transformation In the street.
car service and the universal adoption of
the bicycle, with its attendant alteration
in the conditions of living. are considered,
as rapid change from the horse and
wagon to the horseless wagon may rea-
sonably be locked for. Within a very
few years. in all probability. the sight of
a horse upon city streets, at least, will be
rare. That the Punishment of the horse
will be a great improvement none can
deny. Municipal expenses will be less
ened by reason of the increased cleanli-
ness of the streets and the lessened wear
and tear of the pavements; the taxpay-
ers' burden will be lightened in the same
proportion and sanitary conditions i'm
proved by the banishment of stables. The
dealer in horses will suffer, perhaps, but,
like others, he must adapt himself to the
march of modern improvement. 1t is an
age of progress, and the wise man will be
ready for new things.