Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-07-27
An Interesting Rsport From Consul
Haynes st Ruen.
APPLICATION q0sMIHTARY NEEDS
Mill and Bakerysto Supply 5000
Daily.
PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

has been supplied to the state depart
ment by United States Consul Haynes at
Rouen. The consul states the very latest
developments in the automobile principle,
including a combined mill and bakery
which is supposed to supply bread for
troops in the field from the growing grain
and an automobile railway car, which is
extremely economical for light traffic roads.
He has something to say about automo-
bile accidents, together with the regula-
lions as to speed which are being evolved
in Europe.
Consul Haynes says that the recent race
in France for the international cup was
walk over for France After all the
talk of automobilists Of other countries,
the contest finally narrowed down to full
representation on the part of the French.
That much progress has been made and
prestige obtained by the automobile as a
factor in everyday life was shown at the
Paris exposition.
Roads and SignpOsts.
without doubt, the excellent roads of
this country have contributed much to the
development of the automobile industry"
says Consul Haynes THE highways are
remarkable for their durability and even
ness, and they receive continual attention.
II a rut or a hollow forms, it is at once
roughened, SO that new material will adj
here, and then rounded by small chip
stones. This is undoubtedly one of the
prime reasons for the superiority of the
French machine. The smooth-runnIng ne
cessitates less repair and less power. One
of the greatest aids to American industry
along this line would be better public
reads.
1.-The Automobile Club of America has
only this year taken up the subject of
placing signposts upon the highways. 1t
is to be hoped that they will be of a ma
terial that will not decay or the figures be-
come illegible. Here all the roads are fully
provided with explicit information and the
posts are of iron.
Automobile Railway Cars.
"The Austrian minister of railways has
ordered an automobile carriage. 1t is to
be of the dimensions of an ordinary third
class European railway carriage, with
thirty-two seats and standing room. I'm
der the flooring will be placed a 30-horse-
power 4-cylinder motor, with the mechan-
ism and supplies necessary to enable the
carriage to travel Independently at d speed
of thirty miles an hour. Controlling levers
will be placed at both ends of the carriage
on platforms inclosed with windows, and
will enable the carriage to move in either
direction. The car neceSSitateS the SER
vices of only man, and will probably
be put into use during the coming autumn
on the southwestern line, in Lower Aus
tria
Such a vehicle will permit exceedingly
economical traffic on local lines in thinly
populated districts, and consequently more
frequent trains and better connections
with main lines. The drivers of automo-
bies in this country often outdistance the
fastest trains. - g.rt,. =
Military Automobiles.
Among the many uses to which the au-
tomobile is applied in military service is
that of a new mill and bakery called the
Military Mill-Bakery Automobile. This
will follow the regiments on the march
and make fresh bread from the wheat
obtained on the spot. There is mounted
on the automobile car mill with bolt
ers and kneading troughs, all run by the
same motor which runs the automobile.
The oven is drawn along in the rear.
The bran obtained serves as food for the
cavalry horses By this method 5000 men
can be fed daily. This mill bakery can
also render service in cases of large labor
contracts which bring together numbers of
workmen.
AT recent automobile exhibit in this
country, a French manufacturer showed
very convenient interchangeable coupe and
victoria. The motor was electric and sthe
construction so arranged that in few
minutes the body Of one vehicle could be
lifted off its base and the other substitute
ed
Another company has a large delivery
van, suitable for grocery or a laundry,
with places for seating seven or eight per-
sons.
"A recent production is the bank or
commissionaire's wagon fitted inside like
a sort of small omnibus, with cash draw
ers, lockers, etc 1t should make capital
model for an army paymaster in the field
or travelling hawker of jewelry.
The Krieger system of electric loco
motion is shown in an 'electrolette' which
can run seventy miles on level roads with
out recharging. The great difficulty with
electric vehicles in France is to find sup
ply stations.
Automobile Accidents.
Every daily paper has some accident to
mention. There are many different causes
exaggerated speed inexperienced drivers,
want Of attention-but there is one cause
which is becoming more and more danger
Gus; it is the cheap automobile. In all indus
tries, the moment high-priced article has
won public favor, natural laws of competi-
ton begin to lower the price.
There would appear to be but two la
ultimate means by which the price of the
automobile could be cheapened First to
manufacture in quantities with special ma
chinery, thus reducing cost; secondly. to
simplify the mechanism Of existing models
and to manufacture only a single type.
These two legitimate ways are not al
ways followed. There is, unfortunately. a
desire to sell to the public machine which
has only the appearance of the first-class
original, the qualities of resistance and Sc
curity being entirely wanting
THE many accidents have caused legisla-
tion all over Europe. NJ. Waldeck- Rous-
seau, president of 1.-The council, and M.
Pierre Baudin, minister of public works,
sent only few days ago to the Conseii
d'Etat the project of decree to reduce the
excuses of speed against which SO many
complaints have besn made. The maxi
mum speed allowed in the, open country is
80 kilometers QS.6 miles, an hour. Ac-
cording to the new protect, any automobile
capable of exceeding this speed, and thus
liable to violate the law, ishalI be provided
In front and behind fwithiplaques' bearing
a registered number rand srhis number shall
always be visible. The iuse Of alarm horns
is to be crcumscribed. The horn must not
be sounded except for fffs purpose of Civ
ing notice of approach In dangerous places
and of avoiding ACCIDENTS 1t is no longer
to be employed forathe purpose of clear
ing the way an unlimited distance ahead
III order to guarantees a fuee and exclusive
passage. Finally, some very minute direc-.
lions are to be given with regard to rae
ing.
Views Of an Austrian Club.
1.-The Statthalter of Lower Austria in
consequence of complaints of the police re-
garding excessive speed, recently sent a
letter to the Automobile Club of Austria on
the subject To this letter the club sent a
long reply, from which the following pas
&C cyQc a