The San Francisco call., 1908-08-28
AUTO SIGN POSTS
WILL BE RAISED
President of Dealers ASsOcia=
ton Asks Members to
Be Present
Ceremony Will Take Place on
Sunday in the Parkside
Boulevard
By R. e. PH0mmedien

The announcement by the officers of
the Automobile Club of California that
they were about to erect the first of
the signposts marking the roads lead
ing out of San Francisco was received
with enthusiasm by local automobilists.
Max Rosenfeld, president of the deal
ers' association, has sent through The
Call a request to all members of the
association to be present to do honor
to the local automobile club when
the first post is placed. The invitation
has been extended to all owners of
automobiles, and they are requested to
be present at IL o'clock Sunday morn
ing, at the foot of Nineteenth avenue
and Parkside boulevard.
COMPETITIVE TEST
Consul General Frank r. Mason Of Paris gives
account of the recent competitive test or
he says, was the most important ever made IN
France, and marks definitely the present trend Of
manufacture and technical progress. During May
there was held in France competitive test OF
Industrial motor vehicles. The competition was
organized by a commission of the Automobile
club OF France, with tue cooperation and support
OF the ministry of war which sent board of
military experts TO make the tour and gave
special prize OF 5000 francs, or S1,544. for the
best ''eamon" or transport wagon Tor military
purposes The competing vehicles were divided
into nine classes. of which the first seven COM
pFfSed cdrSSBf various the transportation
of merchandise, and the last two, motor omni-
buses and touring capable of carrying six to
10 more passengers, besides the chauffeur and
conductor. Nearly all of the leading manufsc-
turers who have built up the French automobile
industry TO Its present position competed. most
of them with new vehicles designed improved
from previous types, since the Oyerstocked and
changing market of 1907 showed that the future
of the automobile industry must lie more and
more in the direction of commercial and indus
trial vehicles. Sixty per cent of all the vehicles
entered for the competition made the entire tour
and returned In good working condition This
was a marked improvement over the result at
tained by similar test in 1907. The standard
of economic efficiency, IN the relation Of fuel
higher on part of several vehicles than had ever
been achieved in this country. The total general
average consumption Of gasoline per ton kilo-
meter in 1907 los quarts, whereas this year
the average reduced by improved methods
and motors TO .043 liter, pint Especially
nine motor cabs, built by several of the leading
makers of automobiles in France. and which
used as fuel alcohol carburetted with so per
cent admixfure of benzine. This mixture costs in
France $3.50 per 2641s gallons. The cars
weighed from 3,510 to 3.196 pounds and made
during the tour a special test run of 69.6 miles
in 3 hours and 20 minutes with a total consump-
TO I6 Hters, costing Sl-06 for the entire dis
tance. Ii is thus demonstrated that in France,
al least alcohol has a definite future as fuel
for commercial and industrial motor vehicles.
The principal prize offered by the minister Of war
was won by covered wagon which carried S.514
pounds OF dead weight, weighed complete, with
crew board. 14.3T2 pounds. and showed during
special test OF liz kilometers fuel eonsump-
tion of .o6TT liters per ton kilemeter, or about
1 = pints