Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-12-13

S'0oo" ~ ieii ihto OlSuse ana praCtI
cally remained in obscurity until 1897
when the restrictions that had so Sc
verely handicapped it on the road,
were nearly withdrawn. In the mean
time, curious experiments had beer
made by thoughtful workers, and the
use of oil as motive power had be
gun in 1873. With this, lighter carr
were built for private land or on the
Continent, so that we may date the
present specimen of motor car as be-
ginning from about this time. Yet il
was not until 1896 that the few deyo
tees Of the motor Car really began tc
employ oil instead of steam as the mo
tive power for the cars. The grea,
change came when M. Daimler eds
covered" that spirit obtainable from
petroleum was exactly the kind of mo.
tive power required to work we'll and
effectively. That discovery came just
at the very time when British owners
and builders Of motor carriages were
freed by Parliament from the burden.
some rules that had for nearly 60 years
handicapped them, and it at once
brought the motor carriage into regu.
lar use again.
Since the year 1897 motors have
fiourished and improved in every way
not least in numbers. 1t is safe to say
that the hearts OF some Of those early
pioneers Of motor carriages, of Han
cock, Church, James, Trcvithick. and
Hill, would be glad indeed could they
see to-day the fruits Of their labors,
and not the less 80 because the doom
of the motor carriage appeared abso'
lutely certain no further back than
Eve years ago.
The construction of motor vehicles
has been very much aided and simpli.
fled by the results of the development
OF the bicycle with its improved tires.
Speaking generally. automobiles al
the present time are propelled in three
ways: (D By means OF steam; q,
BY petroleum or gasoline; (3) By elec.
tricity.
The application of steam to motor
carriages represents no novelty in
principle, for the same character ol
engine is required as on the ordinary
locomotive, though of course it is much
lighter and less powerful. The real
obstacle in the way Of q successful
steam vehicle lies in the care and at
tention necessary to bestow upon the
boiler and its accessories. The greater
number Of steam carriages use some
form of tubular boiler which is non
explosive and apply the heat through
gasoline burner. this being the mos'
convenient fuel obtainable.
Petroleum or gasoline carriages be-
long to the class of vehicles employ
ing engines or motors actuated by tn.
explosion OF hydro-carbon vapors. Tht
Otto principle, which is used almost
exclusively, consists OF q cylinder ant
piston which work alternately as pumI
and motor. With one stroke q mix
ture of air and gas is sucked in; OF
the return stroke this is compressed
Common gasoline Is the fuel used
which 10 cheap and easily obtained.
The electric motor carriage make
use OF electricity stored in the form
of chemical energy in storage battery
The relatively poor character Of Amer
ican roads up to date has almost pre-
vented the introduction OF this s,yl'
Of vehicle. The batteries in use at th'
present time are too heavy to maxi
the machine practicable. Besides
they have to be recharged very Otter
and cannot we'll be used in going grea
distances. The advantages of th'
electric carriage are cleanliness, fexi
bility, ease aud completeness OF con
troll, simplicity, freedom from noise
odor and vibration. There is littl'
doubt, however, that it is the bes
form Of locomotion and it will cotn'
more and more into use A. progress i
made in the construction Of storag'
batteries.
At the present time the four-wheelet
locomobile is doubtless used to great
or extent than any other. This ha
but one seat, which will accommodate
two persons. Surveys. for family US
are, however, frequently seen, contain
ing two or three seats. Runabout
with three WHEELS are also used, but no
extensively. Electric hansoms ant
'busses OF various descriptions are il
very common use in all the larger cit
les and these are gradually taking tn
places OF the old horse cabs and 'busset
Among other styles manufactured 70
special uses are: Victorias, solid bacl
runabout and four-passenger dos.a-dos
Locomobiles are now being introduces
for army use. where they are provinI
very successful.
Machines run by classes and var.
greatly as to horse power. The high
est power mobiles are run by gasOlin
and these are the vehicles that max
the fastest time. Locomobiles at th
present time are generally run b
steam.
The Bradley Martin endeavor {
outjewel Queen Alexandra at tn
coronation cannot be in good taste.
->U~
THE fear of poverty is the iron tina