The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-21
The uorseIe~. Carriage.

Judging from recent antics OF the horse
less vehicle, this new facility for munich
pal transportation is likely to soon create
problem in the management of street
traffic The use OF the self-propelled ma
chine has thus far been limited. since it
has not yet advanced far beyond the
status of a fad, but there is little doubt
that It Will eventually become as numer
GUS as the bicycle. The competition be-
tween the various manufacturers Of the
new vehicle is bound to result eventually
in popular prices. When the cost Of the
device has been lowered to a figure that
will place it within the reach Of the mid
die classes, which is not likely to be long
deferred in this age of impetuous en-
deavor, the multiplication OF automobiles,
or similar self-propelled carriages called
by different names, will, If indications are
not deceiving, bring about general con-
sideration Of regulations to preserve the
safety of the pedestrian.
On more than one occasion during the
past few months public attention has been
attracted TO the new motor vehicle by re-
ports from various localities concerning
its tendency to mix up things when. for
one reason or another, it becomes uncon-
trolable. Society folk have been turned
into involuntary acrobats on fashionable
turnpikes and automobiles have been con-
verted into complicated masses Of junk
by collisions with trees or stone fences.
In New York city the other day an exhi-
bition Of the fractions character OF the
machine when accident has removed the
hand at the lever proved TO be revela-
ton to the spectators. II demonstrated
the possibilities for harm contained in the
rubber-tired vehicle which appearg so in
offensive and absolutely tractable as it
glides almost noiseiessly over the asphalt
The incident referred to occurred in
Union Square While turning out Of the
electrical car tracks an automobile han
som swerved on the slippery pavement. the
rear wheels striking the curb. The auto
mobiles motorman, through the agency OF
an insecure seat was thrown TO the ground
as the unexpected collision with the curb
unbalanced him. and the vehicle plunged
madly down the street. the power not
having been shut OFF. The occupant of
the runaway cab luckily. managed to
alight from 1t while II was in motion and
before # collided with the Washington
equestrian statue. 1t was fortunate that
that statue presented an obstacle TO the
electric hanson, for had its path been
clear It would either have dashed through
the plateglas5 windows Of hotel or rush
ed into the entrance of theatre at the
hour when the crowds we're emerging.
As it was, the runaway cab furnished an
object lesson for those who witnessed its
maneuvers and enlightened the majority
OF them as to the tremendous motive power
contained in its odd-looking machinery. II
charged the fence guarding the Washing
ton statue with full force. crushing the
inch-and quarter iron pickets as though
they had been pipe stems. The heavy
horizontal railing, holding the upright
metal bars. was also broken. One of the
tall, hollow iron posts, nearly two feet in
diameter, was twisted from its base and
fractured After this destruction the frac-
tious hanson became entangled in the
debris and its progress thus checked. al
though the wheels continued to revolve
furiously until one of the heavy rubber
tires had been partly ground away by con-
tact with jagged edge Of iron. The an
tics Of the vehicle continued for nearly a
quarter of an hour before IT was taken in
charge by some one who understood its |
management
This performance indicates that an auto
mobile, without restraint is almost as ter |
rifying a mechanical monster as a run |
away motor car or steam engine. viii h. |
while they have the advantage OF greater |
weight and more power are, nevertheless, |
confined to guiding rails and seldom plunge
Unexpectedly out OF their course. The |