The Washington herald., 1910-08-28
WHY MOTOR CAR
Is NOT 4 FAD
Difference Between Bicycles
and Autos Emphasized.

WIN the automobile 90 out OF fashion
Ike the bicycle?
c. c. Hanch. treasurer OF the Vandyke
& Marmon Company. answers this ques-
ton in the negative. he says that the
field OF action Of the bicycle is limited
Tt cannot be successfully used he says,
for Transporting goods in any material
quantity 1t can not be used 10 extend
the radius Of action OF its rider, except at
the expense OF his physical energy. 1t IS
imperative on bad roads and in bad
weather. Its limitations were quickly
reached. which accounts for its lack OF
universal adoption" He adds:
.'On the contrary. let US analyze the
motor car 70 some extent. While the
modern type Of motor car has been de-
veloped within a comparatively few years.
the machine has reached a stage Of me-
chanical perfection which compares with
the printing press. II Is well known that
the perfection OF the gasoline engine for
motor cars made the flying machine a
reality. In order 20 substantiate the
statements made relative to the mechan-
zeal development Of the motor car, il is
in order 20 make comparison with the
railroad locomotive. The railroad loco
motive OF to-day is the result OF genera
tons OF usage and experience under the
direct observation OF the ablest engineers
obtainable. What is the result2 The
railroad locomotive is not expected 20
operate except on smooth rails 1t is
never. operated except under the guiding
hand OF a skilled and experienced steam
! engineer. II Is never expected to travel
more than from one division terminal TO
another without being pat into the round
house or shop and thoroughly cleaned.
Inspected, adjusted, fabricated and tested.
/ "As a companion picture, let US taxa
look AZ the requirements placed upon the
I modern motor car. In the first place. IT
Is subjected TO operation under the worst
nossIble conditions II IS made 70 run
over any and all kinds OF roads. from
mudholes and sand to improved pave
ments. There are no rails 10 run upon
for the motor car. Il must meet all
kinds OF road conditions. and withstand
the shocks Of powders, rUts, chuck-holes,
broken culverts and all other forms OF
distractions and inequalities OF the high
way. The motor car must be ready 10
run. rain or shine, under all OF these con-
dltions, and must go al any old speed.
from four miles 10 forty miles an hour.
It must go. and does 90. without partic-
ular attention beyond cleaning or a little
dust or mud from the exterior. It goes
thousands OF miles with no intelligent
attention beyond pouring in some fuel
and OIL H. within Il thousand miles. a
spark plug needs cleaning or the car
buretor needs adjusting Il Is not infre-
quently the case that the owner OF the
moto- car sharply calls the manufac-
bturer's attention 70 his warranty. On top
OF all OF the adverse conditions placed
upon the motor car. IT must operate under
the guiding hand OF all kinds OF people;
experienced and inexperienced. male and
female. ranging from extreme youth to
senility and old age. The motor car OF
to-day has successfully met all OF the ad-
verse conditions referred TO and has over
come the same It Is as firmly an estab-
lushe5 part OF the life OF this country as
the telephone. It ranks with the tele.
phone. telegraph. printing press. reapins
machine. locomotive. and other great IN
ventions. History has proven that ever!
invention which has had for It's purpOs'
the humiliation OF distance and time IL
the transportation OF persons. goods. ant
messages. IS upon a sound. economi'
basis. The motor car. naturally and log
sically falls directly within this category
People now using motor cars will not dis
continue using them any more than peo
pie will discontinue using telephones.