Evening star., 1909-09-05
AUTOS FOR MARKHAM
Engineer Commissioner Would
Discard the Horse.
WANTS MOTOR ENGINES
Saws They Are More Efficient and
Economical.
WATCH AUTO PATROL WAGON
On First Horseless Wagon In Po-
lice Service Will Depend
Future Action.
WANTS MOTOR ENGINES
WATCH AUTO PATROL WAGON

On grounds of economy and increased
efficiency the use of motor vehicles in
every department of the District govern
ment in connection with which outside
work is necessary will soon become large
and very general.
This Is the view of Capt. F.. NJ. Mark
ham, acting Engineer Commissioner. ex-
pressed apropos of the test which he
witnessed yesterday of the motor fire
engine. He expressed himself as favor
ing the adoption of that type of fire
fighting apparatus on account of Its
greater efficiency and its lower cost OF
operation. as compared with the present
horse drawn fire engines and hose
wagons.
The actual experience of the District
government in the use of motor vehicles
in connection with outside work. he de-
clared. has convinced him that the days
of the horse-drawn vehicle are numbered
and that the number is not large.
Take the case of the automobile re-
Gently put in use for the field parties
which lay out grades for highways and
work incidental thereto. Until few
months ago a wagon drawn by two
horses was used, and the parties found IL
hard to keeu up with the actual work
in laying out the grades for the new
streets for which Congress made ap-
preparation each year. and work for
private owners who We're laying out
streets in new subdivisions was always
behind time.
The automobile has been in use only a
few months, and yet by it's use the field
parties have found it easy matter to
keep up with their work Even allowing
for % per cent depreciation in the value
of the motor vehicle each year. Capt
Markham declared, the cost of main
tenance of the machine will be much
lower than the amount paid for the care
of the horses it has displaced.
IF We throw the machine in the scrap
heap in four years. it will have been
economy to use it, he declared.
Grabill's Success With Auto.
An automobile, Capt. Markham also
pointed out. was furnished for the use
of L. R. Grabili, superintendent of county
roads. Until few months ago Mr..
Grabill worked a team of trotters over
time in an effort to keep in touch with
all the projects OF Improvement on
| time in going from one piece of work to
another. BY the use of the motor
vehicle, Capt. Markham explained. Mr.:
| Grabill is able to get from one point OF
| improvement to another in short time,
has been able to reach parts of the Dis
| trict he seldom was able to get to with
his horses, can keep in touch with all
| the various projects. and yet have con-
|
office making new plans and doing other
necessary office work. The same saw
| ing in expense of operation, Capt. Mark
| ham says, is to be noted in this connec-
| tion as in the case of the machine for
| the surveying parties, and better work
| is resulting because of the ability OF
Mr.. Graybill to visit more frequently the
scenes of work.
Capt. Markham regards the economy OF
| operation as one OF the principal reasons
| for the adoption of the motor fire en-
gines for the District. But their greater
| efficiency particularly appealed to him.
On account of the great speed at which
! one of the motor machines can travel TO
| the scene of a fire, its radius for effective
| work is very large, and one engine could
cover a territory in which several horse
drawn engines are now required:
How about the reliability of the motor
fire engines?" he was asked.
/ II think they will prove as reliable as
| the horse-drawn steam engines" he de-
| clared. He pointed out that the motors
| of the automobile engines must neces-
sarily be very powerful. and on account
| Of the special use are made to be reliable;
therefore. he maintained, they Will be
constructed very strongly. This will re-
duce to a minimum. in his opinion. the
chances Of failure to operate. There Is
also the danger of a horse falling down.
in the case of the present type of fire en-
gine used in Washington. which reduces
| their reliability. All things considered.
found to be as reliable as the present
type improvements which are being
made ii is also pointed out, will increase
the efficiency of the automobile type OF
fire-fighting apparatus in this regard.
Motor Patrol Wagon.
The introduction of a motor patrol
wagon for use in the police department.
it is further pointed out, is move along
the line of more economy and more eff
cheney in the operation of the District
government The cost of its mainte-
nance will be watched with interest by
the municipal officials. and that Will be
compared with the present expense en-
tailed by the horse-drawn patrol wagon.
AS 1t will be the first vehicle of its kind
to be put into use in the local police de-
partment more than usual interest is be-
ing taken in it.
Mai Sylvester has also expressed him.
self as favoring the adoption of motor
cycles for a squad of bluecoats. to enable
them to do more efficient work and cover
a much wider territory than is possible
by bicycles propelled by human leg
muscle.