New-York tribune., 1901-11-10
TIE AUTONoRILE SHOW.

There are two well established methods OF
getting at the relative merits of horseless car
riages. One is to put them through hill climbing
contests and trials of endurance lasting several
days The other is to exhibit them side by side
at rest. where critical examination is possible
and where the explanations and statements Of
the manufacturers can be deliberately COM
pared. Shows like that at the Madison Square
Garden during the last week, therefore. while
possessing different advantages from the run
made from New-York to Rochester two months
ago. have nevertheless served an admirable
purpose
Scrutiny Of the automobiles which have just
been exhibited In this city was we'll calculated
to inspire satisfaction and pride Distinct ad
vances in the shape and mechanism of the
three principal types OF machine were easily
dfscernibie and while there is yet an instruc
tive diversity not only in outward appearance
but also in weight construction and details OF
operation, 1t is clear that the automobile is
emerging from the experimental stage of its
development and assuming practically perma
nent form.
Perhaps the most conspicuous improvement
in electric vehicles during the last twelve
months has been the Introduction of a storage
battery having about double the capacity Of
that which was best known year ago. AS yet
labors in this direction. but it is evident that,
independently of him, the range of electric auto
mobiles has been greatly extended Of late The
manufacturers of steam carriages have not thus
far developed q satisfactory condenser, which
is n recognized desideratum, but they get along
without it surprisingly we'll One of the latest
novelties in this class of machine, by the way.
is use of water tube coil boiler. In the gaso-
| iene vehicles there is noticeable tendency
toward larger number of cylinders than was
formerly regarded necessary. Some improve
ments have also been made in methods of ignit-
ing the explosive charge, and in radating the
heat developed by the engine. And in all classes
OF automobiles there is an endeavor to equaliZe
the burden on the two axles. Theoretically it is
desirable to place the most weight on the rear
wheels. which the drivers. But experience
shows that when coming down hill a carriage
is liable to swing around, hind end foremost, If
that principle IS carried too far. And since
sufficient adhesion of the wheels to the road for
traction purposes can be secured with lighter
load than was once customary. the redistrbu
ton of weight Is an unquestionabe reform 1t
is gratifying. too. to detect signs Of a reaction
against the enormous weights and horsepowers
which have of late been in favor
Not the least gratifying revelation OF the
show which closed last evening is the fact that
America is rapidly becoming independent Of
foreign designers and makers. or course, SO
far as the electric carriage is concerned. It has
not been necessary TO import either ideas or
machinery. But France has led the world in
the adaptation of the gasolene engine to the
propulsion Of horseless carriages So apt have
her pupils proved. however, that she has now
apparently met her match. If not her mistress.