The record-union., 1899-08-27
Weather Forecast.
Northern California: Fair Sunday;
esh northwest wind.
COMPARATIVE COST OF HORSE
AND HORSELESS VEHICLES.

This journal is frequently addressed
concerning the price of automobile car
riages and the cost of their operation
and maintenance Just as frequently
we have replied that the initial cost
runs from $400 up to. the limits of taste
and desire. AS to cost of operation and
maintenance, the testimony is very con-
flicting. The burden would, however,
seem to establish that where the new
vehicles are used with care and for
practical purposes the cost of operation
is below the cost of horse maintenance,
while the cost of vehicle repair is con-
siderably higher than for repairs of a
buggy or a carriage. But IN this last
respect it is stated by competent au-
thority that the expense will rapidly
decline as a nearer approach to perfec-
tion in machinery is made and 2s re-
pairers become more familiar with the
new mechanism.
1t is claimed by manufacturers that
the maintenance cost does not exceed
that of thet cost of maintaining a horse,
but that when the motor runs up to a
three and four horse power the cost de-
creases greatly, so that motor of four
horse power is more economic in opera
ton and maintenance than would be
two horses. The fact is that in these
matters there cannot as yet be definite
judgment, as experience with modern
automobiles is too new and limited. We
expect to see the time early when the
automobile wagon, hack, carriage, ON
nibus and truck will be operated on the
streets of cities for less than one-half
the cost of vehicles of like capacity
drawn by horses. and with more than
twice the comfort, speed and accom-
plishment, time. health and convenience
being taken into account.
Upon this subject we have now some
very interesting testimony from France
in the experience Count Laubat, who
made the trip in his automobile from
Paris to Rouen, thirty-six kilometers
with but one electrical charge, and at
less cost as he estimates 1t than horses
could have accomplished the trip. But
some extensive home experiments have
been conducted by G.. F. Sever and r.
A. Fliess Of Columbia University, and
the results communicated to the Amer
lean Institute of Electrical Engineers
The report is of more than ordinary in
terest, in view Of the fact that wher-
ever a city has good streets the auto
mobile is rapidly coming in and the
horse is as speedily displaced.
In many cities already automobile
cab stands are plentiful, auto trucks
and omnibuses are operated by compa-
nies for hire and auto-vehicles for per-
sona1 use Of those who have heretofore
maintained private carriages. The sta.
tistics Of cost of operation and Of what
has been accomplished are very inter
esting. according to the Sewers -Fliess
showing. The body of the report has
been published by the New York Her
aid" and is too lengthy for reproduc.
tion here, but the essential facts may
be briefly stated
The resistance to motion the hors,
overeomes in moving a vehicle is ex,
pressed in foot pounds This work i,
done both in going up grade and dowr
grade, in the latter case by resistance
but Of course It is then less.
The factors entering into the amour
of work performed are the kind of roat
surface travelled. its condition, the to
pography of the country, the nature o
the load and its distribution on tn,
wheels and, lastly, the horse itself ant
it's condition.
As to the actual work done the fact
were ascertained by taking the team
of certain large dry goods house il
New York, attaching adometers to tn,
wagons, and keeping account Of th
weights of the vehicles. drivers ant
loads. and ascertaining an averag
along all lines. Omitting the detail
it may be said that the average weigh
drawn was 3,175 pounds, the averag
speed 81 miles per hour The time il
which the horse is out is averaged a
hours and 80 minutes, its actua
working time I hour and SO minutes