Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-03
MOTOR CARS AND MEN
WHO DRIVE THEM
BY NJ. v. KELLEY.

Just consider the opening there is here for
the rustic constable who has personal
| interest in the fees collected
y
The old old chewing gum cure for leaky
bicycle tires is now being made to do duty
as first aid to automobile puncture.
The rule is first chew your gum. Then,
when 1t Is at the proper plastic point, place
upon the puncture. Secure with sticky tape
and proceed at your own risk.
-
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Harley and Mr.. and
Mrs Rufus Lang of Toledo have returned
after Canadian tour of more than 1.4O0
miles. The run remarkably free from
trouble, as two punctures were all they had
to contend with.
A truce has been reached whereby the
famous Glencoe, Ill. bumps" are to disap-
pear and the police traps be wiped out. This
enterpr!s,Rg Chicago suburb has been in
dLIehg In guerrilla tactics for some time.
but at a recent peace convention it was
agreed that if the Chicago Automobile Club
refrains from initiating legal proceedings
with their possibilities of indemnity-the
town would cede the bumps" Chicago
also agrees to recognize Glencoes ffteen-
mile speed limit.
There has been more touring this year
than in any two previous and the results
have been satisfactory that doubtless the
increase in road work next season will be
greater proportionately. The reports from
auto trade centers show that many people
who have hitherto spent the entire summer
at mountain and seaside resorts have de-
voted much of the heated term to the car.
AS a matter of fact, autos are now of so
reliable build, generally speaking, that
bad breakdowns are extremely rare. The
auto gets you there and gets you back with
at least the precision of a cruising yacht,
and as result many people are getting a
desirable acquaintance with their own
country. You will find autos in the widest
spots within our borders nowadays. and
the pioneers on these trips have found their
experiences so delightful that they have
ever since been assduously spreading the
contagion of automobilng.
An eastern gentleman who has just re-
turned from summer spent in Europe has
the following to say of our own cars: The
thing 1 observed most particularly while
abroad was the superiority of American
cars over European makes. There was a
time when French and other European mod
els were admittedly better than the ones
made here, but that is no longer the case.
The American cars are more easily oper-
ated and more durable. In my entire trip
of more than ., 900 miles we were not passed
by a single car. nor did one the
route that we did not pass"
*
Lost motion is undesirable at any point
in an auto but, strange to say, 1t is looked
after less in the steering gear than any
where else. And this, of all places. is one
of the most important. Unless the driver Ia
more than ordinarily expert trouble at this
point may not only be source of great
annoyance, but danger well. Surety of
control Of the machine decreases just in
proportion to the increase of lost motion in
the gear. On the other hand, there should
be enough looSeness to be felt, IL were,
at the wheel, and only just enough to in
sure that the wheel gearing shall not bind.
Worn pivot connections are the common
est reasons for excessive lost motion In the
steering group. 1t is possible, too, that there
are worn teeth in the steering gear itself or
merely poor adjustment. Whatever the
reason, look into 1t promptly. There may
be a condition that can be easily remedied
by replacement of minor part, or il NAV
be necessary to have the whole group thor.
oughly Overhauled.