The Washington herald., 1909-03-28
From The sketch.

From the Sketch
The idea Is steadily gaining ground that
the modest man Of modest income may
possess a motor car OF his own, and not
be limited 70 the motor bicycle. II he
wishes TO make use OF some form OF me-
chanical conveyance. When motor cars
were first introduced they were exelu-
sivelv the luxury OF the wealthy, and
only those who had plenty OF money. and
moreover, plenty OF time to spend at the
roadside in the event OF a breakdown
could afford the new conveyance. But
of late years the manufacturers have
been reducing the prices Of cars, and
have been building machines which are
within the means Of the small income
man; and the spectacle OF motor car
drawn UP by the roadside with the own
er and his chauffeur groveling In their
backs in the mud beneath II has quite
ceased to provide amusement and delight
for the rural population.
As II is no longer necessary TO waste an
infnity Of time and money over the pos
session Of a motor car. the modest man
is now. with the circumspection which
distinguishes him, making up his mind TO
adout the new form Of locomotion. But
not for him are the 2.OcO-guinea cars
which make such a splendid show IN the
price lists and on the road. he VIII have
20 be content with something far less gOr-
geous and far less expensive. The wealthy
may stin purchase their magnificent cars,
and get as much speed out of them as the
police traps viii allow. but the Mere Man
has no desire to cut records. All he wants
TO Go is 10 get about comfortably and cas-
ny within a fair radius Of his country cot
tage.
In dealing with this subject the Mere
Man naturally does not approach It from
the point Of view Of the expert He
knows absolutely nothing OF the mech
anism OF car. and though he is aware
that there are wheels and levers and
pump handles which have 10 be twisted
or pulled, he is absolutely ignorant how
TO manipulate them, and would probably
set 10 work to climb up the side Of a
house were he to take his seat on the
box Of a car. But the modest man who
desires a car is quite willing TO learn. and
his great ambition is to know enough 20
uLlF6 himself, WITHOUT Llic dlu VI q CNduI-
feur. He wants a simple little car that
will hold four, or perhaps five at
squeeze. one that viii go at a good.
steady pace all day, and not break down
once or twice a month. The car for the
modest man should be a sort OF superior
pony-chaise. such as has hitherto been
his chief means Of conveyance in the
country. and able 20 stand the ordinary
wear and tear of country work.
The motor car manufacturers are at
last beginning to turn their attention TO
the making Of cars Of this class. Hither-
to they have despised the little man. and
as good as told him that II he did not
care to pay long price he could go on
with the stolid old pony ne has been used
70 driving 10 the station and the county
town But the wissr makers now see
that most Of the rich men are provided
with motor cars. and that there is a vast
mass OF smaller men ready TO buy car
II only they can find one to suit their
means. The number Of men who can buy
a car costing from 800 TO 1.50o guIneas Is
naturally limited, and even those who
can pay for and run a car costing three