Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-10

in France, is of the opinion that in view
of the engagements made by the Automo-
bile Club of France the Grand Prix can
not be abandoned this year without losing
all prestige.
Care should be taken that the teeth on
the ratchet of the emergency brake are
not worn dangerously low. When this is
the case there is a great likelihood that the
lever will jump when the motor is
started, sometimes greatly endangering
the machine.
With a view of making possible the car
rying of heavy loads on pneumatic tires, a
scheme has been introduced in Paris of
mounting two, three or even four tires on
a single rim. The plan has only been made
possible by the Introduction Of a dis
mountable rim.
Cars specially designed to carry millions
OF dollars in specie and bullion are being
installed by London banking houses. The
bodies of the vehicles are steel lined and
contain special compartments for various
kinds OF valuables and having secret doors
for additional security.
Comparatively little difference is made
in the distance registered by speedometers
BY, changing from smooth tread to nom
skid tires. Figures show that a difference
in tire diameter of half an inch in the case
Of a S4-inch tire should not amount to more
than so feet for a mile.
1t is figured that there are about $50. 900
automobiles in use at present in America
and that the production of ears in 1909 will
add 1000. The fact that half a million
OhbbhNo WtlG uRSpOSGu Ol III 1915 SuDDll0S
a fair indication of the possibilities Of au-
tomobile for general use.
One of the commonest reasons for oil
lamps. going out is the choking Of the
draught holes in the cap of the lamp by
the heavy deposits of carbon. These should
be looked for and removed before any
lengthy drive by night. The other essen
tlals are a good lamp, good oil and a clean,
dry wick.
Motorists of San Antonio. Tex, are dis
/, GUESSING q project to construct a siX-mile
track near that city upon which to run
automobile races. A number of the busi-
ness men OF the city are Interested in the
project, as they believe the proposed course
would bring many northern automobiles to
their city in the winter time.
There are but s3s automobiles in Portugal
OF these sol are in Lisbon and 1s in Oporto.
To encourage the purchase OF automobiles
in that country the ROYAL Port1Ruese An
tomobile club is endeavoring to secure a re-
duction in the import duties of gasoline.
tires and other accessories, and a simpli-
f~ication in the customs formalities.
There is more than a definite rumor TO
the effect that the agency for the 'Stude-
baker" and the famous "E. NJ. F." line OF
automobiles has been taken by a prominent
gaHizing a corporation for the purpose of
handling this important line on a scale
that Is adequate to its importance.
Racing enthusiasts. especially those who
have followed the big automobile competi-
lions this year, will have a treat I'm store
for them in the coming Philadelphia show,
! january - TO FEBRUARY 81. 1t Will en-
brace among its many attractions one of
the greatest collections of racing cars that
have ever been brought together under one
roof.
Tire upkeep is one OF the most important
Items in the grand total for car mainten-
ance. If the amateur driver and mechanic
would keep his tires inflated to the proper
pressure at all times and TO have recourse
TO vulcanizations of all small cuts and tears
as soon as they appear, there would be
far less complaint of the short life OIL
shoes and tubes.
That the Automobile Engineers society
is keeping apace with the progress of the
trade Is shown by the fact that the mem,
bership In the organization has more thar
doubled in the last year. The first quarterly
meeting of the society this year will be held
in Boston. during the show there, and the
fourth annual summer session in some city
in the middle west.
T. c. Campbell, president of the New
Orleans club, has had assurances thai
French and Italian cars will be entered &c
compete against the American machines
in the twenty-four hour race during the
Wagner, who acted as starter for the
grand prize and Vanderbilt races will be-
starter at New Orleans.
Doubts expressed by British racing enthu.
siasts as 10 whether there would be any
meets at the Brookiands automobile race,
track next season have been set at rest by
the official announcement that II has beer
decided that the two day meetings on the
Jain SAAA0 . eAa NAN - . VIM ~
cede them, at Easter. Whitsun and II
August shall be repeated.
The allotment of space for the Detroit
Automobile show under the auspices of tn,
Detroit Automobile Dealers association, in
dicates that the show will be a huge success
Every bit Of available space ON boil
floors of the large Wayne pavilion, wheri
the show viii open February Is, lasting on
week, has been snapped up by those anxious
10 participate in the exhibitions.
A solution OF either wood alcohol o
denatured alcohol and water in proportion
from. one in ten to one in twenty, according
70 the temperature Is ecommended as al
anti-freezing mixture for q carbide lighting
plant. The former has a freezing point o
about Is degrees Fair. Sometimes commo
salt is added to the water, but its use 4
not to be recommended, owing TO its cor
rosive action, ON the brass.
Motorists differ in their opinion as TO tn
proper method OF setting the headlights TO
travelling over rough roads at night. Som
drivers hold that the desirable Thing is t.
place the lamps In such a position that tn
rays Of light shall be thrown out in per
fectly parallel and horizontal planes
Others hold that the light should be 70
cussed on the road at a point not too IA
distant from the front OF the car. Tn.