Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-02

In one state are solemnly adopted as the
law for other commemorative, without very
searching inquiry as to whether the orig
inal statute was or was not based on COM
mon sense. Much valuable suggestion Is
embodied in the following statement as to
what Is wanted, as put forward by Isaac
B. Potter, president Of the American Motor
League.
been taken up in earnest especially in New
York. Connecticut, New Jersey and Massa-
chusetts. the farmers who originally OPP
posed the improvements have afterward
been the most enthusiastic supporters Of
1t. We should enact laws of modern sort
for our highways. Those now on our stat
ute books were modelled after similar ones
discarded fifty years ago in England.
|, Have state road department appropri-
ate sufficient amount annually for the
construction of roads and apportion 1t
among counties and towns on the petition
system. the local organization paying its
proportionate share of the expense
Put convicts at work on the roads II 1t
is considered desirable. Tie system works
well In North Carolina. 1t Is better for the
convicts and better for the community.
1T would not be bad idea to take rep-
resentative men over the roads OF the state
in automobiles.
"A well-drained macadam road, with
top surface Of six inches. will make the
best and least expensive road for Illinois"
In connection with the foregoing. it Is in
teresting to know that Iowa has Just start
ed good roads school, under the auspices
Of the state highway commission There is
never-filled demand for real experts in the
art OF roadmaking, and realizing this. Iowa
proposes to train her own men for this pur-
pose. Wise state, Iowa.
Do you know that your gasoline engine,
while 1t Is one Of the simplest motors In the
world, considering the wonderful amount Of
power 1t develops, is built to run best when
1t Is carrying the load for which 1t Is de-
signed. Many drivers allow their motors
to run at high rate of speed when idle,
without any idea that such a proceeding
racks the motor much more than when the
load is on. Racing the machines engine at
such times will do more to overhead 1t than
the average chauffeur realizes.
1t is just little amusing, when one thinks
how long 1t was before President Roosevelt
could be persuaded to take an interest in
autos. to note that 1t was very short time
indeed before he was chased by the police
for exceeding the speed laws.
Statistics have been compiled by the
licensed association of automobile manu-
facturers, which throw an interesting light
on the development of what may properly
be called the automobile era The state
nent is made that there are now about 3d.
600 cars In this country. which have been
built at cost, in round numbers, of seven
ty millions of dollars.
Exact figures for 1904, showing the pro-
portion of cars sold at the various prices.
will give some idea Of what Is being done
this year on q greater scale. They are:
Cars ranging from $500 to 81 LOCO. 48 per cent
of the total number sold.
Cars costing from 81 600 to 81, 500, % per
cent Cars costing from 81. 500 to 81 500. IL
per cent. Cars costing over 81, 500 Is per
cent.
The compilers of these figures are of the
opinion that the sales this year of cars
costing less than s., 600 will slightly exceed
90 per cent OF the total, while those in the
second ola SS xf1l he q houf nor cant