The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-01

auto-motor freight road wagons, and it is frank
~ admitted here, both hy expert scientific su-
t'inriic- and by practical business men. that thi,
problem. at least far rs English attempts are
concerned, has not vet been solved.
al over England there is strong feeling on
the part OF manufacturers and shippers against
the management Of the railroads. because Of the
enormously high freight rates and lack Of facili-
tics afforded. IL Is very difficult TO give any com
paris"n between the rates charged in America and
IN Great Britain, hut ! informed good aI-
th"Hty that, speaking generally. ia rates here
arc from two 10 three times as much they are
III America.
The Liverpool Trials.
The Liverpool trails Of motor vehicles Tor heavy
traffic took place from MAJ p to May %. ISIS.
The conditions somewhat severe, The tests
being Of the most thorough and technical char
actcr. The awards were made during the sum
! mer, but the Judges joint report WAS formally
presented only short time ago. The judges were
expert mechanical engineers. and the report Is
considered the most scientific and technical ever
made upon this subject
The following the most important concur
sons Of tie judges:
Although the calculated costs per net ton
mile show saving existing railway rates, we
do not consider that motor vehicles could sue
ccsSiully compete Tor traffic ia opposition TO re-
duced railway rates, except under special cir
cmnstanccs.
''Whilc il has been practically demonstrated
under lest 0i actual working. % great severity.
that new machines may work in commercial COM
petition with railway rates with loads mp to four
tons. and over distances Of from thirty 10 forty
miles. the severity Of the duties which auto
1 tor vehicles have to perform in carrying heavy
! loads at useful speeds, roads, is so
great is 10 involve even greater mIintenance and
! depreciation charges than those which have
, used in ouf calculations This has 4 twOiold cf-
| feet: First. ia increasing the cost Of working.
! and, second, i'll rendering the service in meas
! urr uncertain.
I've cannot Disguise the fact that motor We.
hitlrs in the present stage Of their development
are liable (" temporary breakdOwns which might
! cause considerable delay and annoyance
Tho i,npcrieciions Of common roads the
! principal CAUSES OF the heavy maintenance and
depreciation charges, and Of tine clement Of un
certainty which at present attaches 10 any ser
! ricc Of motor vehicles. on good mlcadam roads
| with moderate gradients. the vehicles TO which
prizes were awarded would do good service with
the respective loads carried during the trials, but
| none 0f sicin could be relied upon Tor Il regular
service on roads such as those Of the routes Sc
| lected for the competition.
Several Defects Noted.
| eve anticipate that the consumption of fuel
! and water may be very considerably increased
! when the vehicles have TO run wet, muddy,
/ or exceptionally heavy roads; but, as these con
diiions will he accidental, they will probably moi
very materially alter the average costs per net
/ ton mile
! The form Of wheels and tires adopted by all
| the manufacturers, though probably perfectly ef
fcient rs carriers, were all strUcturally more OF
/ less inefficient as drivers.
None OF the vehicles were able TO mancuver
! into and out OF an cmbayment as effectively and
rapidly as may lie expected when time and ex
pcrience have effected improvements in design
| but they were capable OF gong anywhere thai
| i,0rsedraa'n vehicles ordinarily required to go
The general contioi--Stoppng, starting, anc