Evening star., 1904-03-22

but several visits to the show would be
necessary to get a clear idea OF the various
clutches and to bring the mind in condition
to grasp and digest all the foreign language
which has come to be used in explaining
what the motor ears are.
Familiarity with French. from which the
names of most of the parts of the automo-
bile are derived. does not help the visitor
in the least. Tonneau, for instance. means
tub or vessel of that kind in ordinary
French. In automobile French 1t means
the construction of the rear end of the auto
If the rider enters it from the rear 1t IS
called tonneau. but if he finds way to
get in from the front or side the carriage
becomes a phaeton. A manufacturer OF
French ca rriages who has an exhibit at the
show has a mongrel carriage that has all
the comforts of a "tonneau, but 1t is en-
tered from the side like a phaeton. But
these little worries do not detract from the
enjoyment of visit to the show Withn
half an hour person who knows absolute
ly nothing about an auto can learn all that
is necessary to know. Many people stop
after learning the prices, but the man who
has been inocuated with a desire to possess
a motor carriage generally takes the whole
course and learns everything about all OF
the carriages.
Fine Exhibition.
The exhibition this year is one of the
finest that has ever been seen in Wash
in gton. 1t includes a finer line OF cars,
and shows clearly the improvement that
has been MADE in the manufacture of the
machine in the past year. 1t is said the
great end to be attained by all manufac-
turers of self-propelled Eehicles is SIM
plicity When the auto first came into
vogue it was complicated piece of ma
chinery except those in which Electricity
was used the motive power. So intri-
cate was the mechanism that skilled en-
gneer was required to successfully oper-
ate it. II is well known that the two
classes of autos, electric and with other
means of propulsion, are separate and dis
tinct The dealers generally handle both
and do not attempt to use one against the
other
The electric machine is heavier slower,
and has much smaller radius than any
other class OF vehicles. But it is simplic-
ity Itself In operation. There is absolutely
nothing about the machine that child of
ten could not learn. and a child can operate
it. But the owner of an electric auto could
not renew his power with the convenience
that gasoline or kerosene is obtainable, and
consequently the gasoline and steam car
riages We're demanded by persons who want
machines to run anywhere and under all
conditions. These carriages do not have
the simple mechanism of the electric, and,
as stated, when they first came into vogue
required the services of person skilled in
mechanics TO properly run them.
Within the past year many improvements
have been made in both classes of ma
chimes however The electric vehicle has
become lighter and has a greater radius
The agent of one manufacturer said last
night that this class of vehicle had lost
one third of its weight and mad gained one
fourth in radius by reason OF the improve
ments that have been made during the
year. and to person who visits auto
shows and who attended the one held here
last year these facts are noticeable in
the exhibits of this year. In the gasoline
carriages the Improvement has been just
marked.
Simplicity of construction and operation
as stated. are tie goals aimed at by the
manufacturers. and each year sees the
machines brought nearer and nearer to the
ideal. An automobile costs Il big sum of
mony to begin with but in two years,
dealer told Star reporter. it will not
have cost much as an ordinary driving
horse in the same length CT time. and the
cost will continue to decrease in propor-
ton A man to whom this dealer sold
machine had driven his car more than
30oo miles during the last year, and had
never been put TO any expense fer repairs
Thus the first cost of the ear was the
great expense. After that The only drain
on the pocket book is for gasoline IL it
happens to be that style of auto.
The Exhibition Hours.
The show will be open every afternoon
at clock and will continue until mid
night. 1t is the intention of the managers
of the exhibition to have men acquainted
with motor vehicles give lectures on the
various features Of the machines now on
the market and what it is hoped TO ac-
complish by experimenting with the ma
chimes.
The list of exhibitors includes about all
of the makers of the best known machines
shown by local agents. These agents are
enterprising business men of the best type.
The agents for the Winton cars, Cook K
Owesney, who have display on the north
side of the hall. are negotiating with Bar
ney Oldfield, the holder of all track rec
ords up TO fifteen miles. with view OF
bringing him TO this city for an exhibition.
Oldfield has won most of his races and
has established all his records with Win
ton car known as the Bullet" He re-
Gently attracted considerable attention
through his performances at Ormonde
Beach, Fla, where he established new rec