New-York tribune., 1906-05-20
AUTOMOBILE PHASES.
Constant NesU Developments IN the
Popular Recreation.


cut of some cherubic-faced three-year-old at tne
steering wheel? The reason is. in laundry par
lance Il wouldn't wash. They don't even re-
place the form Of baby with that Of his sport
loving mother or auntie. The fact OF the mat
ter Is the modern automobile is such complex
piece of work that, let him say what he WI"
in conversation with his prospective customer
the agent is now unwilling TO make statements
in print which subsequent experience with tno
machine on the part OF the purchaser "Ou'@ 70
awkward to substantiate
The question was put, Have women seeing
how devoted they are to the pastime. displayed
any marked desire or adaptability 10 act %
their own chauffeurs. in the same way as otner
owners?
."rhere may be the desire, all right. among !
women automobilists to take the coVeteu
place at the wheel, and there is no lack OF op-
portunity to achieve this ambition where 1t
exists but either from lack OF nerve OF ArOn1
supineness. they have not manifested any
yoarl,ed intention TO oust men from control
think they have the good sense to recognize that
an automobile is no mere plaything and that
the posItion at the wheel is one OF great re-
sponsibility. On the nerve and Judgment OF tle
chauffeur hangs the fate of human nves' Dotn
inside and outside the car. The facr that many
women are excellent whips and can rival any
man in taking a four-in-hand tnroueh Vle
crowded streets Of a city is not conclusive PROOF
that thew would show to the same advantage II
controlling one Of these big modern touring cars
Won know with all respect, women have
strong weakness for posing, and the steering
wheel OF an automobile is the last place 70 IN
dulee such weakness. None Of us are argus-eyeo'
but when in charge of one OF these machlnes
II is incumbent that we do not spare the two
we have-it is a case Of measuring all cohol-
tions fore and aft, and on the SIDE
even when in charge Of horses women don't
cease to be women. Some OF them know the
ruIes of the road, but precious few OF them nave
anv regard for them. The hand that rocks the
cradle Is capable of wrecking traffic. When
a woman is out driving for the time being she
,s oueen of the road, and it is futile to attempt
IN DENY her the royal prerogative OF tndugIng
her own sweet wilfulness. whenever see
woman driving either horse or an automoolle'
whether she may be doing the right thing or the
wrong at the moment, keep my eye on her' anu
give her plenty Of leeway. You never Aho"
what she will be up to next. Therefore take
No chances. did happen once to remind one
80 the sew. who was bearing down on my car.
4ho4 IN this part of the country we had rule
oP the road: but with a saucy toss OF her heao
ond an encouraging smile. she bade me forget
it.
"Apropos of women and automobiles nave
been amused by stories retailed by attenoahUs
at garages and roadhouses that many owners
of late, to save tipping, are resorting 10 Une
artful dodge Of allowing their women 1rlehus "
take charge Of the steering wheel just OeIore
pulling up at one of these places. or course you
know the old story that even when women DO
Tin. the recipient requires microscope to dis
cor,ar the coin and good set Of teeth to test IT.
1TsuaII1, however. women think they have met
all the demands of the situation when they hand
out Just smile. If this helped to pay the rent
all would be more than WELL but the reWaru 10
too Intangible to be popular with garage at
tendants, and servants.
rr1,o sneaker went on to say that new improve
ments Of a technical character were contlnualy
coming In. and being superseded again. Inc
tendencv now is to increase the number OF cylin-
ders. To-day the best cars carry six, ano' IN MS
oripion the day is not far off when 1t Will be
eiebt The more cylinders the more flexible inc
mower The hexibility Of steam power is the
objective aimed at Electricity as a motive
mower is not satisfactory. especially in touring
cars: using this power one cannot venture
far from ones base Of supplies 1t is widely relt
in automobile circles that fuel alcohol is bound
to replace the more expensive. dangerous ana
maIodorous gasolene 1t will be produced from
potatoes by farmers all over the country, ana
/ will thus be procurable everywhere.
INV remark minute ago." went on the
|
ton of new improvements reminds me Of an odd
| fact; and that is, though / am always on tne
lookout for them in all parts of the country,
have vet TO see a car in the streets dating It's
birth hack further than 1902. OF course know
there must be some, but where are they? Many
rich owners do not keep their cars longer thah
| one season, but what becomes of these second
hand cars have not yet been able to determine
They are in too good condition to be sent to the
scrap heap; thus have come to the conclusion
that they either go out of town to some poor re-
lation or are relegated. like the freak cars. to
the din and dusty Easements of the garages II
may be that my vision is in some way defec-
tive but have yet to see dead donkey and
secondhand automobile which can lay claim to
the mature age Of five years.
This is somewhat of depression from what
I set out to tell you about-namely. the latest
phases in automobiling but what Of the de-
parture instituted by surety company which
in the last two weeks has issued to responsible
owners over three hundred documsnts. which
are STYLED powers of attorney but which are
in piainer terms bail bonds for their holders
when arrested for breach Of speed and other
local bylaws For $50 any owner can be FUR
nlshed with hve Of these powers Of attorney,
each bond standing for $500. and If at the end
OF the year for which they issued he has
been so law-abiding as to have not more tnah
three unused bonds the company will redeem
these at 81 each These bonds are supposed to
he good I'm the states of New York. New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania Rhode Island, Connecticut
Massachusetts Ohio. Indiana Illinois. MISSOURI
Minnesota Wisconsin and California.
$50 YOU see the holders Of these bonds for
a small outlay can have a high old time from