Omaha daily bee., 1910-02-20
WOMEN
Modern Cars Are Easy for the Gentler
Sex TO Learn to Handle.
QUITE EASY OF MANAGEMENT
Great 81 and BettermeRt ia
Health 90 ne Gained by
Living in the Free
Open Air.

successfully as any male driver, and It is
an interesting and noteworthy fact that
each season there is a considerable In
crease in the number OF women who be-
come owners and operators Of motor-driven
vehicles. A few years ago a woman driv-
ing a car unattended attracted much at
tention and was viewed with undisguised
curiosity by all who saw her. There was
only now and then a woman who had the
temerity to make an attempt to operate
an auto, and, indeed, when one considers
the imperfections OF the car built q few
years ago, one can more read1y appreciate
the many obstacles that she had to contend
with and overcome II she became a
successful driver. Cars were then far
more complicated, mechanically, tina any
at present, but even so It was fully demon
strated that there were some women who
possessed the ability to overcome these
obstacles, and who-probably possessing a
tendency toward things mechanical
mastered the intricacies Of the gasoline
engine and succeeded admirably as. opera
tors.
Before leaving home for a trip the car
should be care-modern conveyance have
a strong desire to operate it herself-there
may be several reasons for her not doing
so. Nine out of ten women who are asked
why the don't drive their own car, in
variably answer In the same way-that they
are too nervous. This is no doubt per-
fectly true in many cases where 1t would
certainly be unsafe for a woman afflicted
with nerves to attempt to handle a car.
Still, the trouble Of nervousness is greatly
exaggerated by many women, and would
undoubtedly in most cases rapidly wear
away as confidence in herself became estab-
lished.
Then there are the women whose hus-
bands do not approve Of the feminine por-
ton Of the family aspiring to the honor Of
driving the family car. His real reason
is without doubt in many cases a wholly
selfish one-he fears her proficiency and
does not van her TO use the car as often
as she would wish were she capable of
its operation. But in spite Of the many
cynical shafts OF alleged wit that some
superior men love to launch at femi-
nine autoists. the woman who drives and
understands her car has a distinct advan-
tage over the woman who motors without
enthusiasm, and who does not know the
difference between the spark plug and the
rear axle or a wray muffler from the de-
vice which silences and there are very
many motorists Of this type.
Women Afraid of OIL.
Then thore is the motor woman who dis
likes mAchinery-whO is afraid of soilins
her hands or gloves or gown with a bit OF
oil or grease, and who considers herself OF
far greater Importance and far more ele-
CANT when seated like an automaton in
the tOnneau Of the car dressed as elabor-
ately as the pastime will possibly permit,
with a miniature powder puff always ready
TO dab her nose occasionally for fear a
little dust may settle thereon.
But the time has come when the ambi-
tion Of the woman autoist is to be able
inteligently to understand the mechanical
features of her car and to learn to drive
we'll that she may go about when n
where she wishes WITHOUT being bothered
with a professional chauffeur. There are
very many women who might enjoy the
pleasures and benefits of autoing were it
not that they doubt their ability to learn
how to drive and how to overcome OBJ
~stacles. The majority Of these same wo-
men would be perfectly able to master the
modern car after some practical instruc-
tons from an expert.
A great many women who could easily
manage their car, hesitate to do so through
mistaken ideas OF the difficulties to be
overcome. The very first thing necessary
Tor the woman who has decided to become
an owner and driver Is to select her car.
lt she is wise she will pick one which is
simple In construction. for this is an i'm
portant factor when she is to drive the car
herself. OF course, a car OF standard man
u~racture is always preferable to one little
known, and a moderately powered car will
answer her requirements perfectly. The
first duty after purchasing the car is To
become perfectly familiar with IL, for the
greatest pleasure of autoing is to be able TO
do things about the car that exigency. NAV
demand.
The first time the woman operates her
car alone she VIII have very little eonfi-
dence In her own ability. IT is always
wise to practice t-urhlng-backing about
ana turning around-plenty OF room as free
rom OBSTRUCTION as possible should be
found to experiment in.
One should learn to control the snaad =,
the car with spark and throttle as mucb
as possible and only release the ct,tcha.
when absolutely necessary. The low gear
+. should only be resorted to In extreme cases
The spark should be used for speea ana
the throttle for power. Gradually familiar
l1ihs oneself with the operation OF the car
the dlsengasing Of a clutch or applving
or q brake will become practically ante
matte. au'o-
BEFORE leaving home for a trim the car
should be carefully looked over-tbIs nil,
occupy but a few minutes and save m,,oh
annoyance from troubles on the road tn
batteries and coil should be tested ,bo
spark plugs clean, the gasoline and Vster
tanks well filled, and there should he =
plentiful supply OF lubricatinR on
abundance OF oil should always he Ken,
IN the crankcase Of the engine. the chance
gear box and the rear axle or differentiaI
Each and every wearing part-the awe
Joints steering gear, change gear levers
brake mechanism, etc. should be ibsraiI,,
oiled. ""
strain the Gasoline.
Il is always Important that the gasoline
should be strained before putting 1t into
the tank-it only requires the tinlest bit OF
grit or dirt to clog up the carbureter. The
two most important factors to look after
In connection with the gasoline engine, ar.
the flow OF gasoline and the electric, spark
The ignition system should be watched
and gone over carefully from the batterle.
70 spark plug. II an engine slows up the
trouble Is very likely In the mixture Of tbs
gas supply, or TO the batteries nunnins
down. When the engine comes suddenly TO
a stop It Is practically certain that the