Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-14
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/ tomobile exhibition at Berlin. Germany.
Frank H. Mason says the most salient as
poets of the exhibition and the most no
ticeable features of improvement have
been:
The use of ball bearings wherever they
can be advantageously applied to reduce
friction in the working parts of the ma
chine This was an original German idea
and was first applied to one of the early
hlgh-powered Mercedes cars. Now all the
German machines and all but the low
powered French ones have ball bearings
throughout.
Another novel feature is the variety
and ingenuity of the automatic oilers
Nearly every important motor-car builder
mas developed some new idea about oilers
the problem being to devise one which will
do It's work quietly. economically and in
fallibly without watching Among the
new oilers displayed is one which insteao
or pumping the oil in a small steady
stream. spurts or fnjects II internationally
toward the working parts whereby. it is
ficient.
Still another important feature is the
all but universal use of the pressed steel
frame or chassis and the great improve
ment manifest in the lightness strength
and finish OF these parts To make s1cb
frames as are now used requires ponder
Gus and expensive machinery, but the re-
SUITS which are achieved would seem to
fuiiy Justify the means by which they
nave been attained. But one of the lead
ing German makers, Otto Beckmann a.
20, or Bresiau, and the De Dion Company
OF france still adhere to the system of
tubular frames which three or four wears
ago was all but universal
Inc second dominant fact has been the
large proportion of vehicles of various
types with hydrocarbon motors for va
rious Industrial, military and business
purposes. Nothing approaching this ar
ray OF motor omnibuses, drays. heavy
transport wagons and delivery vans has
ever been seen in this country before The
development in this direction is peculiarly
German, In that it is devoted to facilitat-
ing ana cheapening the transaction of
business rather than to luxury or sport
Nothing was more interesting than to
see the crowds of merchants, manufac-
turers and business men of all classes
around these new transport vehicles, dis
cussing eagerly their merits and economies
as compared with horsepower. All the
large department stores in Berlin, several
breweries. besides furniture dealers, wine
mel chants, even milk companies, now en-
pioy delivery wagons with steam orSbenzIae
motors"
- : ILL, isi.5
In an interesting report recently issued
by the Department of Commerce and Labor
George E. Anderson, United States consul
at Hangchau, China. says:
Practically speaking, there is no extend
ed market for automobiles in China In
the average Chinese city Ii would be i'm
prospect OF any Improvement in the near
future of a character to promise any trade
In Shanghai a good many automobiles are
in use. and their popularity is increasing.
1t may almost be said that an automobile
boom is on in that city. There are many
people there who can afford automobiles
and who are accustomed to spend money
in such ways, but the demand will be linn
tied to Shanghai City. and machines suit
able for city work rather than country
touring are the ones needed. Automobile
manufacturers in the United States should
have representatives among the business
men of Shanghai. American makes will be
received upon their merits
With the increased demand for gasolene
for use in automobiles has come a gradual
raising in price. until now the automobiles
are vigorously protesting against what they
term the excessive figures charged by the
Standard Oil Company, The Colorado Au-
tomobile Club has taken the matter up and
asked President Roosevelt to extend the
oil investigation to the alleged monopoly in
Colorado
New York seems to have the best chance
to have an automobile speedway. for w. X.
Vanderbilt, jr., one Of Americas foremost
Automobiles, is reported 10 be arranging
for an automobile speedway through a part
of his estate on Long Island. 1t is proposed
to have a driveway for automobiles. $50
feet wide, extending from Forest Park
eastward to Lake Success. Later the bou-
levard will be connected with the proposed
boulevard which is to through the
Hampstead plains, through Hampstead,
through Wheatley Hills, ard eastward to
some far point of Long Island. Wander
bilt money is reported to be behind the
plan.
The latest additions to the American Au-
tomobiIe Association are the Automobile
Club of Maryland. having membership of
forty-six, and the Morris Park Motor Rae
ing Club. 1t is hoped the Washington,
D. c., Automobile Association or club will
be among the next applicants for member.
ship in the national body.