The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-09-19

mand for personal comfort brought
about by a more extended use among
all classes and the gentler sex The
stiff springed, jolting, hard seated, moi
sy and high odored rl1nabout, with its
back-to-back seats, gave way rapidly
to the smoother running, quieter, be-
cushioned runabout with flexible
springs and bigger pneufnatics. and it
in turn to the upholstered tonneau car
with its canopy or hood, It's protecting
front and seats with doubly curved
backs. Yet now further details of COM
fort and ease are being demanded. j.
In this march from the severe to the
sumptuous which is experienced by ma
tions as well as individuals in the swing
from the stage of pioneer toward the
effete, the automobile Is but following
the history of other vehicles and other
implements, which after being intro
duced as accessories of sport have be-
come articles of utility. "a somewhat
similar record has been written by the
bicycle. At first it was a thing which
only, one imbued with the spirit of a
sportsman could care for, and the old
high wheel was one that called for the
qualities of the true athlete in its rider.
With the extension of use among both
sexes and all classes permitted by the
production Of the easier running safety
came a decline Of the enthusiasm
evoked when cycling was a sterner
sport, but came also a wider use of the
vehicle as one Of utility and a. demand
fka,.
continued to pursue its use as pas
time. Then came the upturned handle
bars, padded saddles, spring forks,
cushion frames, coaster brakes and
two-speed gears which are in demand
to-day for pleasure cycling. The auto
mobile appears as going through much
the same course at present. but there
is the great difference that the element
of athletic personal exertion cannot be
wholly illuminated from the bicycle,
while the AUTOMOBILES may become as
stately in its4invitation to the indolent
as is a prirna donna's private parlor
car. -.-s--sst.s -..- 49,
1t was in the nature of things that
I the pleasure loving and leisurely in
, clined after first furry Of athletic fer
vor over the novelty of bicycle exercise
should surrender to it the true devotee
| of athletics and the utiltarians. So
also it is in the nature of the case that
a large percentage of the wealthy auto
mobile enthusiasts shall tire Of crawl
ing in the dust or mud in order to lie
on the back under a car and inspect it's
bowels of cogs and shafts, that they
shall tire of being all-around mechanics
with grimy hands, and of sitting in
constrained positions at the steering
wheel. 1t is natural that this large per-
centage should be willing to surrender
the ardors of operating to a. hired man
and conspire for roomier seats with
thicker cushions and more protection
from the elements for the women folks
and themselves. It is in natural Sc
quence also that they shall be content
to race by proxy and let salaried chat
feurs eat their wayFthrough the dust
clouds of competitors and take the risks
Of being manned or killed.
Early uast year the tendency toward
a preference by. the public for touring
fears. as the larger vehicles with ton
neaus on are known, was perceived by
the automobile makers, and it VS. pre-
dicted that the bulk of the demand
would this year be for this type and
that 1904 would be a touring car year"
This has been wholly justified, and it
lis being now forecast that 1905 will see