Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-07

having this advantage at least over the
horse brougham however beautifully this
may be finished) that it is well lighted and
heated. The heating feature is new one
for motor carriages, but the apparatus Is
quite practicable and has been placed ac-
tuaily in use.
BrOughams and Coupes.
An electric brougham, perhaps the acme
in the line of horseess vehicles, of three
and a half horsepower costs s., 500. not
high price for a carriage of this class, COM
pared with the brougham to be obtained al
the leading carriage builders. OF course,
vary few electric broughams are yet in use.
The electric coupe, to all intents and pur-
poses a miniature brougham, is, however,
and may daily be hired in New York. 1t
works admirably, it should be said and in
testimony of what electric vehicles can do
in bad weather the experience of New
Workers in the severe snow storm of late
November should be mentioned On the
first night, when nearly all the cars were
stalled and horse-drawn vehicles could
move but a few blocks and then with diff
fCulty, the public electric cabs made their
way about readily. One went that evening
very nearly to the Harlem river.
The gasoline motor wagons, generally
Speaking are built more for road work
than for city streets, and in the vehicles
they turn out their makers show hardly
the same diversity of design and the same
following of the styles of fashion. So far
as statistics show, the fastest time yet d.
veloped by motor vehicles has been shown
by those with gasoline power. In them. as
a rule. weight is sacrificed to compact ar
rangement of the motor, and the wagon is
built to make fast time.
Such vehicles are light open wagons and
runabouts, much in vogue in the west, and
to some extent in the open country of New
England. These are frequently used with
trailer "a light cart attached to the
motor wagon, and trailer parties" are
quite the thing in some sections.
Few Facts.
great amount of technical detail might
be given. but it would be inappropriate
here. Altogether too many varieties of
vehicles are now being made. Yet a few
facts may be given. 1t has been calculated
that the expense of operating gasoline
motor wagon of 200 pounds ian average
size) Is less than cent mile. Some
makers claim their motor uses only half
cents worth of gasoline a mile. And this
form of motor has been so perfected that
II emits little or no Odor.
In operation the two types of vehicle do
not work very differently. In general one
hand applies the power (controls). the other
steers. The brake and the bell are man
aged with the feet. and in the newest cleo
trio cabs there is an appliance which, when
touched with the foot, will stop the cabs
forward movement instantly and start it
backward
These electric vehicles can be charged in
two ways. Each battery gives power for
thirty miles. 1t can then be taken out-by
automatic machinery at the station-and
Few battery put in its place. or wire can
be plugged in q convenient hole while the
battery is left in its box. and electricity
allowed to flow in to the quantity de-
sired.
Motor Stations.
A number of motor cab stations are to
be placed around New York city. and these
will be supplied with electricity by the cleo
trio companies. so that Il cab or cart may
load up at any time. Such stations will
be for private well as for public We
hicles.
The electric vehicles have one especially
curious feature-the emergency SWITCH
small length of metal running from the
CO ntroller to the battery. If the motorman
wants to leave his vehicle he simply takes
this out and carries 1t with him. The car
riage Is then dismantled. Not until this
emergency switch is replaced can it be
started again. Thus it is perfectly safe to
leave in the streets.
An electric truck with machinery fed by
the same current that propsls it to be used
for loading and unloading is what one mo-
tor company at least is working upon now.
Such a vehicle would be of ncalculable
value to commerce.