The Jennings daily record. [volume] (Jennings, La.) 1900-1903, 1902-05-12
AUTO AND WHEEL.
The Vogue of Each IL on ~ Different
BnsiS

those who are still dubious concerning
tn" future of the automobile will be
minded of the news which used to come
from annual bicycle shows in big cities
when they read that some 5OUG horseless
vehicles. probably worth 81 900 apiece on
the average, have been sold in a few days
by hrms and companies represented in
a Chicago automobile exhibition. There
were years when it seemed that the only
possible limit to the ma rk citing of bicycles
was the capacity of the factories to make
them.
Then the sales of ''wheels' were
quite as striking anything lately seer.
in the auto business. New buildings
and machinery for the making of bicycles
were as much in demand the finished
products OF such establishments. Those
VINO predicted "a collapse in the trade
We're laughed at as foolish prophets of
evil. 1t was "A very great boom, every
knows.
1t is needless to speak of the change in
bicycle conditions. The difference wrought
by "a few years are too conspicuous and
familiar. But will the automobile go the
same road to semi-obscruity, and will the
manufacturers of horSeless carriages and
like vehicles have the bitter experience
of a collapse such as came to the bicycle
trade
These questions cannot be answered
with certainty except 10y time. The CON
ditions do not make parallel regarding
some vital points. The difference between
the bicycle craze and the automobile
ing.
Bicycles forced all who used them to
work their own muscles. The automobile
does not. II can be made strictly II lux
ury for those who do not want exercise.
Bicycles Were much cheaper than horses
and horse vehicles. Automobiles are at
least equally dear. Extravaganza and
elegance can go far in horSeleSS car
riaEes as in more familiar eQuipages. The
bicycle was much less sOciable than the
auto. 1t could not he employed to take
the sick, the weak the aged and in
firm on needed outings The automobile
permits all such uses Riders of bicycles
had to exercise more or less skill to keep
within comfortable distance for conversa-
ton. The automobile is as companions
bile any horse vehicle.
Another important difference is that the
auto will stand upright when ii is not
moving. 1t can stop indefinitely, any
where. 1t is best adapted to good roads,
| but it can be used with ease on highways
| which mean only trouble toll and veXa-
| ton Of spirit to bicrcliStS. And while the
/ horseless carriage can stand still in way
| impossible for the bicycle. it is also far
! superior in power and speed.
For these reasons and others the men
| who have invested their capital and labor
! in making and selling automobiles may
| fairly claim that the course of the bicy-
| Gle industry from it's recent heights of
| great profits and larger expectations to
| its present state of lethargy and disCour-
! agement does not necessarily show what
! will be the fate of the horseless carriage
! business. The parallel is not close. The
| differences are many and very impor
| tant, and it is impossible to determine in
! advance how far apart the lines of devel-
| opment may lead.
At present the automobile makers have
| good prospects and existing conditions.
| There is sign of any rea ction against
the type of vehicle which they produce
| Cleveland Leader.