Omaha daily bee., 1899-09-17

wholly mechanical motive power, might be
properly and successfully used In light traf-
fC, but they have looked to horses for strong
hauling. Certainly the horses were never
bred that could have accomplished In the
Same time and at the same expense what
the "autotrucks" (that is the name which
has been given to them did the other day
in their official trials here.
To deliver merchandise direct from the
ship to the shopkeeper, to do away with the
many landings and transfers now necessary
in shipping goods; to tie Liverpool more
closely to New York and Chicago; to bring
all the worlds centers Of trade and industry
nearer and easier-these were the ultimate
aims of the second contest between auto
trucks held by the Liverpool Self Propelled
Traffic association.
Five systems Of heavy horseless vans were
given the severest tests possible, and they
scored in consequence the most notable sue
oesses that the automobile has ever regis
tered In all the world as an Industrial agent.
People said 1t was impossible that the MAN.
moth autocars would ascend hills rising one
foot In nine while bearing q total Of more
than seven tons In weight; but 1t was done,
and one system has two gold medals to prove
that the autocar can rapidly 90 up and down
rocky sleeps width heavy loads, where the
az ShhLllo " Woulub BIZ GQu SIdll
and fall.
The severest of Tests.
Everton Brow is the steepest and most
difficult hill In Liverpool and its equal can
hardly be found in all the United Kingdom.
1t lis paved at different points with ma
cadam, asphaltum, stone and wood. all of
which are more or less trying in a test
of this kind on a steep gradient. In addi-
ton, 1t takes three turns. one Of them be-
ing an acute angle, and had the road been
made to order as a hill-terrtner, 1t could
hardly have better served It's trying pur-
pose. Three separate hill-climbing tests
were made OF the first OF the three days
OF trial.
As a starter each wagon was sent ND
empty and down again. Then they were
loaded with sacks of corn, and in each trip
up and down the car was stopped by signal
ON the most precipitous part OF tho rise
and descent. To add to the diflcult UNDER
taking the hill was watered in its steepest
portions and on the sharpest turns. Some
OF the five contesting cars slowed around
with their hind wheels and skidded a bit
on the difficult turns, and two of them
had to make q double start before they got
away for the climb. One Of the heavy We
hicles threw the spectators into a fever of
excitement by a threatened bolt when on
the most dangerous part OF the hill, and q
runaway. an upset and a steam explosion
Scanned imminent for a minute or two. But
the driver stuck ~pluckily to his fractions
mount, and by whirling It In a back ward
circle was at last able to bring the vehicle
under control to try again. and success
fully. II was the most exciting incident
of the contest, and proved the value OF a
good man in charge OF the machine.
Quicker Than Horses Mt Starting,
At a whistle from the Judges the cars
were stopped going UP and down., and the
first complete arrest on the descent was
made In eleven feet. The next driver kept
his heavy van we'll in hand and pulled I'D
In nine feet, but the Coulthard machine beat
them all In its prompt response, which set
the wheels motionlese In six feet after the
whistles sounded. 1t was quicker time than
tho best trained team could make. On the
upgrade some of the stops were made In the
space of eighteen inches.
Genuine freighting loads were carried.
One OF the medal winner weighed in itself
over three tons, upon which was loaded
four tons, and a heavy trailer attached with
two and one-half tons more. Yet It walked
on easily with this heavy drag, and could
evidently have done more.
1t ts q singular fact that motor cars are
only successful hillclimbers when well laden.
II unloaded there is not susfRcient weight
upon the wheels for them to grip the earth
on a steep ascent, so that there will, for the
future. be no economy in working light
Ito save the team"
Thirty-five miles and more was the oours.