Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-01

both in excellent health and thoroughly
enjoying their novel trip.
/ x*
/ The members of the Automobile Club
| OF Washington and their friends enjoyed
a crab feast at the clubhouse, on Geor-
| gia avenue, last Tuesday evening. A
feature of the affair was the presence Of
many members Of the gentler sex, who
assisted materially in making the affair
/ a success. The feast was arranged by
! Spence, chairman: w. W. Chiswell, Franz
Kopp. William Gentner and Lester D.
| Moore.
An item of interest to automobilists,
who enjoy driving over the roads in the
White Lot grounds and in Potomac Park,
| Is the announcement that In his estimates
for the next fiscal year by Col. Cosby, the
engineer in charge of the public parks and
reservations in the District, has asked for
| 5000 for oiling nacadam roads. Col.
Cosby says that the automobile traffic has
| become so heavy and it's effect so wearing
| that 1t will be impossible to maintain the
roadwayS in good condition unless some
means are provided for effectually laying
| the dust and prevent the road from rayel-
/ ing. The sum of $500 has also been re-
| quested for improving the gravel roads in
the inclosed grounds south of the Execu-
| tive Mansion. There are several objec-
| tionabe sharp curves in them which Col.
Cosby says should be eliminated. He is
also of the opinion that the roads should
be resurfaced with broken stone.
A trip over the roads during the past
week showed the oiled roads on the speed
way to be in excellent shape for automo-
biles. Several of the roads in Potomac
Park were surfaced with oil about year
ago and since that time the work has
been carried on with excellent results. A
gang of men have been busy during the
past week covering the roads entering the
White Lot. just south Of the Treasury. A
photograph was taken during the progress
of the work, showing the men with their
heavy brooms spreading the oil over every
particle of the road bed.
The use of oil on earth roads was first
tried in this country in California. Crude
petroleum was sprinkled upon the road
for the purpose of laying the dust only.
1t proved to be very effective dust layer.
and in some cases improved the condition
of the road surface to such an extent
that popular attention was aroused and,
as result, many experiments were made
with view not only of laying the dust,
but to hardening the surface. Since then
and failure, and much valuable informa-
ton has been derived from the expert
ments. California is particularly favored
for work of this nature, owing to its eli
mate and the character of Its roads, as
well as to the excellent bodybuilding
properties of the oil.
An incident occurred a few evenings
a.o at Fort Myer during the aeropIane
flights which attracted attention and
caused considerable comment at the time
1t happened After the flight had taken
place and the aeroplane was about to
be removed to the shed large touring
car filled with passengers was proceed
ing slowly on the outskirts of the reser-
walton when mounted cavalryman
dashed in front of the machine and or
dered the chauffeur to halt and return
by the same route. After inquiring about
the recent order the owner OF the car
informed the soldier that he was a
member of Congress- and desired to
return to the city by that road. The ma
chine remained at standstill while the
horseman reported to his superior Off
Ger, and on his return the machine and
it's occupants were not only permitted to
leave the grounds in the direction de-
sired, but were escorted by a shorter
route across the field by the cavalry
man. While the automobile was being
held up heavily laden family carriage
and motOrcycle-if you please-were
permitted to jog along merrily over the
same road without the slightest molesta
ton by the other guards stationed along
the road. Question-Why the discrimina-
ton?