Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-11

DuI the pIdIu SldICIHcHl Va q
w fact that is making itself felt
in the business world OF
Washington. 1t Is a question
to the merchant: Is 1t cheaper to con-
tinue using horse-drawn vehicles IN my
delivery service or to procure motor cars
for the work?
The general trend Of evolution in the
business world indicates that before many
years have passed the commercial auto
mobile will almost entirely supplant the
horse in all parts Of the country. And 1t
Is generally conceded that Washington
Is the city In which the evolution will first
make itself noticeably felt. This city, with
its unusually good streets and its low
grades, is the one in which this type Of
vehicle can be operated with the greatest
economy. and, as economy is the factor
that appeals most to business men. 1t is
for that very reason that the motor-drawn
wagon will make its own Roadway.
1t has been but a few years since the
sight of delivery motor would cause
people on the streets to turn around and
take a second look at the unfamiliar
sight, but all this has passed away and
motors have become so common that one
passes three or four on every square. 1t
1t estimated that, in the short time they
have been in operation, automobiles are
doing One-third of the delivery business
that was formerly done by horses. At that
rate of increase 1t would not be saying
too much to state that before another
decade has passed the horse-drawn de-
livery wagon will be just as uncommon a
sight as the automobile was half dozen
years ago.
Course Of Development.
OF course, in this as we'll as in every
other development there are those who
have to be shown and also there are the
ones who think that what was good
enough for their fathers Is good enough
for them until they are so far behind
time that they are losing money, and
then. but not unit, then, do they consider
a change.
It Is always the largest concerns that
first make an economy study of a new
and radical departure. In the first place.
their accounts are SO kept that they can
see in an instant just what their expendi-
lures are for any particular department.
II the new thing looks good to them they
Will take 1t on as an experiment and
try 1t out fer perhaps six months. Dur
of the cost OF Its operation and a more
particular account Is made Of the amount
Of work 1T does in comparison with the
old method. The initial expense of the
new may be greater than the old, the
general upkeep may come to a higher fig
ure than any single one of the others,
but II 1t does the work that formerly was
done by two or possibly three Of the
others that shows its real economy and
it is adopted at once.
That is the secret Of why the express
companies have generally adopted the
motor car. It has not been q question
of appearances, but a question of so many
dollars ana cents saved in obtaining re-
suits.
In a general comparison Of the actual
costs of operation between horse and
motor drawn vehicles 1t has been esti-
mated that one-ton truck in the hands
Of careful driver will do the work Of
three one-horse wagons, and this at a
considerable saving, too.
Comparative Tables Of Cost.
The following comparative tables have
been made out from conservative figures