The San Francisco call., 1899-07-02

n | EW YORK, July line company
nj which is building the automobile
IN in which Mr. and Mrs. John D.
Davis will make the trip from
this city to San Francisco, under the
management of the San Francisco Call
and the Herald, is desirous that moth
ing shall be left undone on their part
to insure the success Of the trip. Since
the slight accident on Friday night
they have discovered several ways in
which the automobile can be strength
ened and improved for the long and
rough journey before it. For this rea-
son they have asked a little more time,
which Mr. Davis has granted, and the
carriage will be perfected in every de-
tail. The Call will announce within
few days the exact time of departure.
Mr.. Davis went to Stamford, Conn,
to-day to see to placing a new brake
on his automobile, which IS being COM
pleted at the factory Of the National
Motor Company in that town. The ac-
Cident which caused a postponement Of
the start was due to the giving way of
an extra brake which was put on for
use in descending mountains. The or
dinary brake provided for a touring
cart is worked by the pressure Of the
foot and operates upon the rear axle.
While that answers for all ordinary
grades it was decided to add q plain,
Cld-fashiOned hand brake that would
clutch the tires and assure safety in
going down any hill. In testing this
brake on Friday on q hill near Stam-
ford a steel rod snapped and injured
the pneumatic tires. A new brake was
made to-day and new tires were put
on. Mr.. Davis said that he would run
the automobile from Stamford to this
city tomorrow and be ready for the
start Monday morning.
Aside from the new brake Mr.. Davis
has had the seat Widened and the back
made higher so that the discomfort of
the long ride will be lessened as much
as possible.
Some difficulty has been experienced
in obtaining a roadmeter for the car
riage. There are plenty of cyclGmeters
on the market, but they are made for
wheels of smaller diameter than are
used on motor carriages. Mr.. Davis
told me that he found the American
manufacturers are slow in preparing to
meet the wants Of automobilists. The
best dashboard clocks, he said, were of
foreign manufacture.
Only a limited amount Of baggage
will be carried by Mr.. and Mrs. Davis,
owing to the lack Of room. A small
trunk will be strapped on the back of
exceedingly limited wardrobe for the
tourists. Mrs. Davis, who is an at
tractive young woman, was diSmayed
when she learned that she could carry
but one costume in addition to what
she wore. Her daily attire will sug-
gest mountain climbing. She will wear
a short skirt, bicycle boots, shirt waist
and soft gray felt hat adorned with an
eagles feather. The hat has a very
wide brim and is known as an auto
mobile" Mrs. Davis skirt is of the
length approved by the Rainy Day
Club, six inches clear of the ground.
Mrs. Davis is enthusiastic over the
trip, but as she has never been in the
West she is making Inquiries as to the
likelihood Of meeting Indians on the
warpath or road agents from Devils
Hole.
Mr.. Davis has ridden on the plains
and has no apprehensions. Speaking of
his plans to-day, he said: II do not
expect to make the best time during the
first part of the run, as the motor is
just out Of the factory. After we have
been going a few days it will undoubt-
edly run smoother, and I can get more
speed out of it. I look for all kinds
of mishaDs, from punctured tires to
breaks in parts of the machinery due to
rapid running on rough roads. I shall
carry such as duplicate parts as are not
too heavy and will have a kit Of tools
to tighten up nuts that become loose or
to make any other repairs that are nee
essary. Every part of the motor is