New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-05
CHEAPER THAN HORSES.
HORSELESS CARRIAGES DO MORE WOkh
AND COST LESS MONEY.
THE CONVENIENCE OF CHARGING THEM FROM
THE REGULAR ELECTRIC WihhS-i""
NEW VEHICLES FOR DOCTORS.

THE REGULAR ElskCI
NEW VEHICLES FOR DOCTORS.
There are young men in New-York who can
remember when the only telephone line IN the
c;tv connected a room in The Tribune Building
with the American Institute. People USED 10
come to that room and listen to others talk, sing
or whistle at the other end Of the line. and ex-
CARNATIONS of wonder and surprise were hearu
whenever the imperfect instrument was eA-
amined The telephone was looked upon al '"a'
time as a scientific toy. and in much the same
light as the motor vehicle is regarded by many
people at this time But the telephone has be-
come a necessity. and in the same way. many
people predict that the horseiess carriage VIII
ceaso tn no looked upon as a novel plaything
and take its place among the necessities.
In some parts OF Europe the horseless vehicles
have become popular and comparatively cheap
and the novelty having worn OF. they are ell
ployed in a practical way. In New-fork the
horseless carriage has not yet become popular
and the vehicles which are seen on the streets
are for the most part the property OF CAP co"'-
panies by whom they are rented to the people
who wish to enjoy the novel sensation But the
facts that the few motor vehicles which have
been sold to private individuals have gwen sat
isfaction that the cost Of maintaining them is
small and that the streets of New-forK are
gradually being improved so that the vehicies
will run without jolting. make manufacturers
believe that there will soon be boom IN that
direction.
c. j. Harrington, superintendent OF the EIcc-
trio Vehicle Company. said that his concern
had recently ordered one hundred additional
carriages and that there would be room In their
place to store and take care Of Il number OF
vehicles for other people.
1T costs much less to keep horsclcss wagon
than an ordinary outfit" he said and IL can IL"
more work. The horse if driven more miles on
one day than he is able to cover without over
exertion will be worthless the next day. "hie
the motor wagon can be recharged wheh us
electric supply IL exhausted and go right ahead
again We shall ask 81 for every twenty-hVe-
mile charge and will also receive fixed amount
for taking of the vehicle ana keeping II
clean and in repair The cost OF running the
vehicle will depend on the number OF miles
Among the few people in New-York who drive
motor vehicles are Oliver II. p Belmont ana
w f. Buzby Mr. Belmont's turnout created
some excitement at Newport last summer. ana
was one of the sights. of the place. Mr. Buzby
guides his horseless vehicle along Riverside
Drive nearly every day. Its builder. Andrew l..
Riker, said that it showed no more wear IMAM
an ordinary vehicle which had travelled nan as
many miles. This carriage IS kept IN MT Du~-
bv's stable where its motor is supplied through
the regular Edison current at The regular ra'es'
The bill for charging it the first month II ran
was SO 30 and it ran six h inbred miles III 'ha'
time The average cost for electricity Is TWO
cents q mile but the price would be considerably
less if the owner of the vehicle had his own
electric plant This fact has been demonstrated
by J. r. Whiting. OF Stamford Conn, who has
an electric generator for lighting his house. HIS
horseless vehicle is charged by this generator,
and this brings the cost down to less than one
cent mile.
Dr William II. Hutchinson. Of brooklyn. has
ordered a horseless stanhopc phaeton and he
will he one of the pioneers Of his profession IN
the use Of this style Of vehicle. But the great
est additions in the line will probably be in the
shane of business wagons one company mas
an order under way now for a delivery wagon
for a large department store at cost OF S2,oW.
and If the vehicle proves satisfactory the con-
Germ will take fifty more. The wagons VIII make
Twenty-Five miles a day and can be run at the
rate M two cents a mile. or at a cost for motive
mower of not more than 30 cents day Aside
from cost of storage and repairs, the cost or
maintaining one Of these delivery wagons a year
wss nlaccd at the following figure by Mr.. Riker:
Interest on investment *i,W
3OO working days at 10 cents............-... I'o
Total ......................... ..H-'o
This is less than it would cost to Keep horses
TO draw the vehicle