Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-17

be content with whatever size of gas motor
he could secure that would answer his
needs. And consequently there is much
incidental machinery that will probably
be done away with In cars that may be
hereafter constructed. 1t Is also intended
to locate the machinery further down in
the car, and thus it will take up less room
than at present.
Seating Capacity and Management.
Despite the fact that SO much room is
taken up by the machinery, the motor car
will seat comfortably twenty persons. The
motorman will stand at the front Of the
car as on an electric car and he will con-
troll the motor by means of wheel. There
Is abundant power in the motor car to
haul ore or more trailers, so that there
is no doubt that an equipment Of probably
half as many motor cars as there Is now Of
horse cars would be sufficient to accommo-
date the present traffic of the road and
meet the rea sonable demands Of the public
for some time to come.
Two Grades of Speed.
The Pole motor car has two different
speeds, and while it can be run at any rate
I'D to twelve miles an hour, 1t will be gear
ed at either a six or a twelve-mile gait.
The motor was frequently tested while in
the Benning shops at both speeds. and each
was equally successful. There are two sets
of these wheels, geared to different speeds,
and to increase or decrease the speed of the
car. The motorman controls the gearing,
throwing one or the other set of wheels
into play as he desires. The motorman can
ments notice, and notwithstanding the
weight Of the car, it is said that when go
ing at the rate of twelve miles an hour 1t
can be stopped within little more than the
length of the train.
The object in having two speeds is to let
the motornlan have the control of the car
at all times. When ascending grades the
lower gear wheels with the six-mile-an-hour
speed will allow the car to take the hills
easily. while on the levels good time can
be made with the high-gear wheels. The
principle of the gearing is the same as that
on a bicycle. 1t is stated that even when
the motor is in actual operation there is
practically no noise or vibration, which will
be especially gratifying to those who NAV
be seated in the motor car.
The devices for transmitting the power
from the engine to the aXles are simple
but very effective, and the shop tests in
every instance, while severe have proven
1t is said, to be eminertly satisfactory The
car will be operated on the trial trip by
upon the motor. 1t is said that the ex-
pense for this will not be more than two
cents per mile.
Gas Motors Successful Abroad.
Gas motor street cars have been in serv-
ice for some time in various European cit
les, notably Frankfort and Dresden Ger
many. where they have been so remark
ably successful that United States Consul
Frank H. Mason made them the subject
Of several reports to the State Department
here. In one of these reports Mr.. Mason
said:
AT the beginning of August last four
cars of the latest and most improved type
were put iEto regular service upon a sub
urban railway leading from Dresden along
a busy boulevard to the village of Widen
Mann, d distance of nearly three miles.
These cars have since been in daily service
from O'Clock in the morning until 10 at