The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-25
countries.
AUTOMOBILES.


Tho automobile judging from all appear
ances. will be as much of a fxture IN our
daily lives in the next few years as the
telephone and electric street-cars are 10
day The difficulty so far appears to have
been chiefly in the matter Of getting a ma
chine at a reasonable cost that would not
break down with unvarying regularity in
spots where it was impossible to repair it,
For some years automobiles have been the
delight of the Parisians, and we believe
that with the mechanical skill Of the Amer.
leans, we can compete and surpass any
product of this sort in the world. The
general opinion about the automobile seems
10 be that electricity is the most satisfac-
tory motive power, in that 1t has no odor,
az has gasoline, and makes less noise than
either gasoline or steam.
There are in the newspapers accounts OF
various runs by automobiles, in one OF
which it says that machine has been used
in Eastern New England, and ran four
teen miles over rough road in Maine,
which was quilted by recent rains, with
more than one steep hill, and made the en-
tire distance in forty-five minutes. carry
ing three persons
Another account describes a run that w.
K Vanderbilt, Jr., made from Newport to
Boston, a distance OF seventy-two miles,
at an average speed of 81 $40 miles per
hour. Mr.. Vanderbilt left his stables in
Newport at $50 and arrived in Boston
shortly before o'clock, making the total
run in two hours and eighteen minutes
The run was made simply for pleasure, and
it shows what the capabilities OF this ma
With Mr.. Vanderbilt was his chauffeur,
whom he brought with the machine from
France This chauffeur holds a hrst-cIass
unrestricted license in France to run any
where at any speed. When mounted upon
the machine prepared for a run the two
men looked as if they expected 10 meet
rain or dust storm. but in reality they We're
taking On.y the usual precautions adopted
for fast automobile driving. Both men
wore visored caps, something after the
style Of yachting cap heavy coats but
toned UP TO the throat gauntlet gloves,
and goggles over the eyes From the slop-
ing dasher a white rubber boot was but
toned up under the arms Of the men. This
boot with the dasher serves to cut through
the air and 10 throwit above the heads of
the passengers.
This machine of Mr.. Vanderbilt's Is,
perhaps, the most interesting racing car
rfaEe in this country. There is only one
other that equals il in speed in the world,
and that is owned by French Count.
Mr.. Vanderbilt bought his in France at an
original cost, it is said. of between $500
and S6,00e, and up to date the total cost
is probably not far from $1,000 for the
owner has no regard for expense, and, If
he wants 10 stop quickly. does not hesitate
To strip off pair OF tires. Furthermore. If
the police of Newport enforce the law con-
corning speed-li1nit, Mr.. Vanderbilt will
probably have additional expense of SO
or $50 day for fines, as he has notified the
police that they have the privilege OF
resting him as often as they wish. The
carriage IS butt very low, and is about the
ordinary width. 1t has machinery Of the
most perfect type and engines of between
thirty and thirty-tive horsepower. Extra
tires carried upon the box at the rear
Of the machine.
Although capable of developing such
enormous speed, the machine is under per-
feet control. and. when running at top
speed, can be stopped within hundred
yards without injury. II has five different
brakes, and by reversing the engines the
Wheels can be locked. When this is done.
however, it is necessary TO have new set
OF tires all ready to put on.
II may bo steered with the forefnger
and thumb. and one of its most striking
features is the water-cooer for the water
jackets surrounding the cylinders.
When these machines shall be perfected
and at such cost as to place them within
tho means of the average citizen, we could
imagine no more delightful place to spend
the summer than in Virginia, touring from
one resort to another. with the delights Of
continual change Of scene and the exhila-
rating sensation of being out-of-doors in
the wonderful air of the Allegheny Noun
taius.