The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1898-03-09
The New Motor Carriage.

Paris Berlin and others of the COnti-
mental cities, but especially Paris, have
been enjoying hOrseless vehicles in stead
ny-increasing numbers for the past three
or four years. Paris has possessed for
some time an automobile club. the MEM
bers of which drive their traps up and
down the Champs Elysees and through
the "Bois' much 10 their own delight and
the admirati ton of others. This admira-
tion turns in many eases to envy. and
the desire TO go and do likewise. 50 that
the leading manufactures Of automobiles
in and around Paris are completely over
whelmed with orders. and deliveries are
generally long delayed. on this side Of
the Atlantic We have been slower. al
though, possibly. surer in coming 10
horseless road traction as practical
reality The electric cabs in New York
have, however, become familiar sight.
and il is understood they have proved
most successful financial venture on aC-
count Of their great utility and nOtwith-
standing their unusual appearance. In
Newport last season Mr.. Harry Payne
Whitney's and Mr.. Belmont's electric
traps, as well as the others used there,
received favorable comment from all eX-
cept the Newport haCkmen. With us in
the United States it would therefore
seem that the electric variety of horseless
carriage was destined to become the more
pOpular-rather than the gasoline motor
vehicles. which are the most common
type on the other side The electric car
riaEe is ideally simple. and there is little
or nothing TO get out OF order. y mere
child can guide and control it after few
moments of instruction. In crowded
streets ii is under perfect control. occu-
pying so much less space than the ordi-
nary horse equipage. and stopping. start
ing and backing at the will Of the driver.
These points are we'll illustrated in the
electric vehicle which the Pope Company
is showing in actual operation. Physi-
clans have found the electric carriage
practical and economical in their exacting
service.
Recent visitors to Paris will recall the
large numbers of automobiles seen in the
principal streets and parks there. and
many have been impressed by the unpre-
possessing and clumsy appearance pos
sessed by the French automobiles, as we'll
as by their noise when in operation.
which, however. is Iessened By the streets
splendidly paved in many cases with
wooden blocks. which one finds not only
in Paris. but all over France. The CO.
lumbia motor carriage which is being
shown does not. however, possess an 3wk-
ward appearance. in spite Of its great
and in fact the ayowed intention
OF the Pope Manufacturing Company in
producing il was to have il compare IA
vorably with the most luxUrioUsly ap-
pointed and stylishly finished type of or
dinary vehicle for park driving. The
pneumatic tires give a most delightful
sensation in riding. and are practically
-punCturable. For any errands of
business or pleasure or for riding in the
parks or avenues of a city we can say
from experience that this new Columbia /
motor carriage Is splendidly adapted. At I
first the absence of horses impresses one '
as being an unacCountable omission. but .
after a little one realizes that il is not t
undesirable to have the view .
in front entirely unObstructed and to be /.
of animals, who, like human /
beings. possess nerves and do not hesi-
tate to show thir aversion to strange OBJ /
jects in a manner sometimes distressing /
to those who ride behind them.