New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-02
sELF-pROPELLED CARRIAGES.

Two novelties which were shown at the recent
international exhibition OF automobiles In Berlin
illustrate afrcsh the fact that MS yet the develop
ment Of this class of vehicles has not reached
the final stage Much has already been accom-
nllshod In securing beauty of form. noselessness
In operation. simplicity in gear and other impor-
tant improvements In the sclf-propclled carriage
But there are still some problems left unsolved,
among which Is the most effective method OF
utilizing electricity.
Tic chcapncss of gasolenc and kindred hydro
carbons and the ease with which they can be
procured in any country village combine TO COM
mend the gas engine as n motor for long runs IN
the country. But in cities where smooth pave
mcnts abound and where fresh charge OF elec
triclty can be readily obtained the latter agency
IS much preferred. especially ms II ennis no uh-
pleasant odor, requires less mechanical provision
for change OF speed and makes possible d
quicker start
one Of the new machines Mt the Berlin show
was a cross between n tricycle. and phaetoh
II had seat which would accommodate two
messengers. but its frame was constructed OF
tubes and the forward wheel suggested the 1or
mcr type Of vehicle rather than the latter Inc
most Interesting feature Of this carriage. though
was It's motive apparatus. Electricity WIS use"
to prope it, but the current was oD'alheu' no'
from a number Of accumulators charged 1T Il
mower station. but from an old fashioned VOilac
battery I'm which electricity was generated ny
chemical action The construction was dinereh'
from that of the Grove or Ieclanche or crow
foot cell But the principle was the same. Jars
containing two kinds Of metal and fiuld wh'cn
viii corrode ono Of them are arranged under me
seat of the vehicle. TO make good the losses
through n gradual eating away Of the plates an
extra set still dry IS provided for Introduction
while the carriage Is on tho road. Equipped Tor
y RIM of forty miles this particular automoDiIe
voebs less than four hundred pounds. and II IS
said that il can easily carry the means or eX
tondluc the tourney to fully sixty niles. Inc
svstem here outlined is no marked improve
mont II any. upon The storage battery, though
oxcent norhaps in the matter Of weight, and II is
NOT lil,olv that the innovation will Prov more
than an ingenious but ephemeral suggestion
The plates required could he purchased only IN
c;tles. and at few places. inasmuch az they arc
~ srociol construction and not Of widely used
and standard type
Tho other novelty at Berlin was carriage
oor,nred with both electric and gas0lene mo-
tors. Either cOuld De uS'u ''''"' VI "
could be set I'm operation together Inc PosNF
bllity Of employing the electric motor as uF
namo for charging the storage battery ana orI'-
inc the former with the gasolene engine unoer
tho vehicle Is an interesting detail or this con-
trivance; hut II is hard TO understand why J."
practice any traveller should want 10 convert the
energy Of his stock Of gasolcne into eie'trci'y
before applying IT, The project does not com
mend itself strongly 10 common sense. Inc
automobile OF the future will be no hybrid.