The San Francisco call., 1908-09-29
NONSKID DEVICES
USED IMPROPERLY
Dangerous On Automobiles
Where Only One Tire
Is Equipped
Extra Strain Frequently Carries
Away Parts of the
Mechanism
By Y. x. PHOmmedieu

Preparations being made for the win
ter months by the automobile sundry
and tire dealers brought out consid-
erable discussion concerning nonskid
devices and tires, most of which have
redeeming features and stanch sup
porters- But one OF the most dam
gerous and yet most common plans
Of application OF these nonskid de-
vices is that OF using only one
of them on a rear wheel. Robert
Thompson of the Michelin tire COM
pany said yesterday that he would
rather not sell a nonskid tire at all
than to only sell one.
Where only one is used, although it
generally prevents the car sl1idding. it
is dangerous, because a nonskid tire
takes grip on the surface of the
road or street. This means that the
tire which has the nonskid device, on
wet days, virtually propels the car,
while the other tire merely slips over
the surface. The extra strain has
more than once carried away parts Of
the mechanism. Wear and tear on a
tire so equipped is more than double
that II two tires were used.
Fl /. Pelton Of the Auto vehicle company has
returned from Hanford. whittier he went to meet
m me Isg5 tourist demonsirater. Mhlle on ms trip
he visited Fresno. Coallnga. MADEIRA. Merced.
Stockton and Sacramento. Pelto1 says that the
car created a sensation and orders were taken in
all of the foregoing places. The was put
through the Turloek sand distance of seven
miles. This sand is of the shifting kind. in
which it is almost impossible to get foothold,
fore this season The 90 Tourist was sent
through oo demonstration. The car Is now in
Horsepower, four cylinder Tourist touring TO
W II. Warwick Of Modesto and Thomas s.
ingalls, of HOLSTER.
The local Office Of the White company re-
eeiTse the fon3wing H telegram sb SesteEday witt.
steamer defeated the Stanley Steamer in i've Eve
mile race here today. Time, 5:osl4"
L. H Bill. manager Of the local branch of the
Thomas B. jeffrey company, says that accord
ing 10 information received from the home office
large sales Of medium priced automobiles un-
doubtedly will be made to farmers throughout
the United States during 1909. One manufacturer
has announced special model which is the
product Of eight years of automobile building ex-
perience, and IS designed especially TO meet the
needs OF the farmer This is the 1909 Rambler
equipped with the double opposed two cylinder
engine. From the start jeffrey claims TO have
designed and built the Rambler 10 meet the re-
quirements OF the ordinary country roads-long
clearance, accessibility and flexible springs being
important features During last year. the
Rambler people say, they sold fair percentage
Of their product 10 farmers
The Studebaker automobile company promises
a sensation in Its new automobile buggy an9
four passenger surrey. This car has solid tires
shaft drive. magnetic. wheel steerer. force feed
Oiier and air cooled motor. In fact. contrary to
the general run of automobile buggies this new
motor follows along the lines of standard
motor car. In the sounthern states and rura,
districts where road conditions poor it looks
SIS II 1t win entirely suppiant the cheap runabout
which has been of considerable annoyance ac-
count Of its low road clearance of pneumatic
tires. Both the surreys and the bugges viii be
equipped with top, storm front and
tains and will be very complete in every part.
Every indication is that IL win establish new
standard for vehicles for use in rural districts.
According TO reports received by +. p Brine
gar Of the Pioneer automobile company. from A.
G.. Wheelock. Fresno agent of the Chalmers
Detroit and Thomas cars, the prospects for
big business in motor cars in that section are
bright
''The first day I had the little Chalmers
demonstrating car here ] had over 40 requests
for demonstrations" says WheeIock. ''and 1
have already taken a number of orders for
early delivery OF these cars"
Valentine c. Hush who is well known in San
Francisco and Oakland has been located in the
mining districts OF Nevada for the last three
years. has associated himself with the sales de-
partment of the Pioneer automobile company
with headquarters in San Francisco and Oakland
Don c. McCord of the Keystone motor car
company is in indianapolis. visiting the Over
land factory. be will return in three weeks with
the 1909 cars.