The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-01
GENERAL MILES, IDEAS
ABOUT HORSELESS WAGONS

mitted that they are far ahead of us
in the Older countries. although we are
overhauling them fast and shall even
tually distance them without a doubt
Motor cabs have long ceased to be u
curiosity in Paris and London and mo-
tor omnibuses are fast becoming an
OBJECT OF every day familiarity to the
citizens. There have been races in
France between expert automobilists
and. as the country storekeepers have
adopted them, the French peasant is
far more familiar with the sight of the
new vehicle than the average Ameri-
can of the rural districts. The French
government has been forced to take
official notice of the automobile, and
has done so in the usual high-handed
style of the European ruler by num-
bering the vehicles and notifying the
owners that in event of France being
engaged in war the good patriot must
Immediately rush his automobile to the
nearest military depot for the use of
the French army. The French govern
ment has also adopted rules regarding
the speed at which the vehicle may
travel, and before a. motorman may
steer an automobile Through the streets
or Paris he must first show his skill by
driving up and down a steep road in
which are planted dummy figures rep
fesenting pedestrians crossing the
roadway, nurse girls out with their
usual impediments of a public high
way. On the day of his trial the mo-
torman drives the automobile up and
down this road, picking his way in and
out or the mass of obstacles and driv-
ing at what speed he can under the cir
cumstances. If his wheel touches one
OF the dummy figures ever so lightly
over 1T goes, and the driver has proved
his inability to guide the automobile
through the streets without danger to
the citizens.
In England the automobile omnibus
has been received with great favor, and
number of automobiles are in use by
the business houses of the large cities
for the delivery of goods. There have
been exhibitions of horseless vehicles
in both France and English cities and
in both countries there are powerful
associations whose members are inter
ested chiefly in the improvement of
the automobile and the advancement
of the horselesS vehicle in public favor
A great advantage must follow this
introduction of the automobile and the
general use of it in course of time. To
the thorough enjoyment and utility OF
horseless carriage transportation, good
roads are necessary. Just as the com
ing of the bicycle into general use
caused a wave Of indignation to sweep
over the country regarding the lad
state of American roads, so will the
increasing Oh the lie
arouse the riders to knowledge of the
fact that much, very much, remains
to be done before we shall have in this
country the means of thoroughly en-
joying the sport of automobiles or Of
using the innovation to advantage in
our bushes relations with each other.
Road-making and oad-preserving will
be easier Undertakings when the horse
is banished from the highways, for 1t
is the pounding of his hoofs that causes
most of the damage to the roadway and
it is his presence there that necess1-
| tates our large cities keeping force of
street cleaners always at work. With
J the automobile smooth roads are a
necessity, but the wear and tear caus-
| ed by this class of vehicles is almost
| nil, for they move along smoothly on
| pneumatic tires, causing no more fric-
| ton than a bicycle.
| Americans firms are now turning out
| some light vehicles that are proving
! delightful revelation to those who have
been forced to use the ponderous ma
| chimes that the French and English
| makers have been selling. There is no
| danger in the running of these auto
! mobiles no odor from gasoline and no
| noise or vibration. The motive
| power is carried in a storage battery,
| and when it runs out it can be renewed
| at any headquarters for electric light
| ing. Nothing could be more simple,
more luxurious, more enjoyable than
| tour in one of these vehicles. AT pres
| emit they are beyond the reach of the
| man of small means, but like the BIZ
cycle, as they are perfected and the de-
mand for them increases the output
| the prices will drop until they will be
within the reach of all and become the
vehicle for all the world and his Wlte
| to take their rides abroad when on
| pleasure bent. II.