Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-23

syvania issued automobile license num-
Der 5000 last week. This is the largest
number issued this year. and is 1890
ahead of the number issued up TO the
same day last year. Over 5000 chauf-
feurs have been licensed up to date.
:: = x
There was an increase of over si6o.ofo
In the imports of automobiles in Germany
during the year 1910 over 1909. the ap-
proximate figures being so.5S'.7ao for
1910 and s2.413.25O for 1859. France sup
piled the major portion OF the pleasure
vehicles and Switzerland the commercial
cars. German automobile exports also
took jump during 1910. the value in
creasins from approximately S4.6''"o i'll
1909 to approximately ;..2i9.Gp III !?lo
Russia was the principal market for the
touring cars, followed by Austria. Great
Britain and France. Brazil and Russia
led with the commercial vehicles.
:: =
THE automobile is respons bic for the
return to the simple life, William *
Emerson. a local auto agent. said few
days ago I'VE hear a great deal of talk
about the congested conditions OF our
big cities and how the people are now
seeking relief from it in suburban lfe
The automobile has made this possible
Today a man can live fifteen or twenty
miles in the country and get back and
forth without the loss OF any time or
the Inconvenience of suburban trains.
The automobile is responsible for this
condition.
Mr.. Emerson says his deductions arc
formed from his ohsei vations in tho
National Capital.
With the incrca sing thousands OF auto
mobiles in use. thu question Of better
roads looms up prominently ono of the
important topics OF the day. George f.
Daniels, discussing this question recently.
said
1T is time that some concerted effort
was made to improve our roads, for 1t Is
apparent to every one familiar with the
subject that in the future the entire road
system OF the country will have to he
gone over
1T seems to me that it would he proper
for each state to turn its tax money re-
ceived from issuing automobile licenses
into road fund to be used for the bet
terment Of the highways. This license
fund should he augmented by an appro-
priatiOn which should he in proportion
to the amount OF money turned into the
state treasury by automobile owners.
Take Michigan, for instance. There are
today approximately nhu cars liz use.
Each owner pays 81 yearly license tea,
| aking a total amount of $1,000 col
lected from them each year If the state
would double or triple this amount, the
much needed improvements In various
parts of the state.
What. "a gigantic road fund could be
made if every state In the Union would
do this. BY TRIPPING the amount of money
turned in by automobile owners each
year 1t would not take long to build over
the entire road system Of the country.
The countries of the old world have
fine roads and they are today the master
road builders. Their best roads are COM
posed Of crushed granite. which is mixed
with fine gravel, rolled and oiled. The
finest roads in the world are found
through Italy and northern France
Those around Nice are especially fine and
afford popular drives for many Amerl-
can tourists
The following tire warnings have been
issued by expert:
Tires and tubes should he inspected
by reliable repairman. and put into
the best possible condition at the be
ginning of the season. Small INJURIES
which are not even apparent TO tho
owner. often weaken the tire at one
point and cause blowout before the
rest Of the case is worn out. The wear
Of ordinary service is very much greater
in slightly injured tire than in a
perfect one. as the residence and con-
slant stretching and bending tend to
enlarge the weaknesses. Only minor in
juries should be repaired by the car
nlent nor materials for doing satisfac-
factory work.
See that the rubber covering of the
tread and side walls is not cut or worn
sufficiently to allow water to penetrate
to the fabric OF the tire. This may be
caused by bruises from stones or sharp
objects, or from riding the tire Dictated,
and should be Vulcanized with new
rubber repair gum after any injuries to
the fabric arc reinforced.
Make sure that tho inside of the tire
presents d smooth surface to the tube.
as the slightest roughness VIII wear
through the tube. Brush out all old
French chalk with a stiff brush. and
dust plentifully with fresh chalk. Do
not wash the inside of the cases with
water under any circumstances.
Before applying the tires. the rims
should be put into proper condition. It
is even advisable to re,nore all the tires
for this purpose alone. Clean all rust
off tie rims with wire brush and
emery paper. then polish them smooth
with graphite and stove polish, or some
similar disappearing lubricant This
rrecalltion is necessary to protect the
tires, and in the case OF quick detach-
able and dem"nntahle rims Is easily
done and insureS their easy operation
throughout the SeaSOn-
The Society OF Automobile Engineers
committee on wheel dimensions for solid
tires recently held an extended conference
with the duly appointed representatives
of the tire nidnu1dclnI COMPANIES. iiN
purpose of this meeting was to AID IN
Se,errljr;rS upon rec oInme ?datlonS III the
direction OF Standa rdization whlcn Will
bring about the changes which must be
met with proper consideration to tho Gu
cheering points involved.
Everybody is agreed that stanharnlZ2-
tion Of dimensions for solid tires IS absC-
lutely necessary. in no other way can
be had the essential features of inter
chapgeability which 10 vital to wheel
manufactures. tire manufacturer. CONNER
cial vehicle manufacturer, and the COM
mnrcial vehicle user.
The two principal dimensions under dis
cussion were the diameters Of wheels to
the inside of the tire attachment and the
width Of felloe.
The tentative recommendation of the
societv's committee in regard to wheel
dimensions took the thirty siX-inch wheel
in common use as a starting point.
The society's committee recommended.
and 1t is generally agreed, that all wood
wheels for solid tires should be fitted with
A permanent iron band. This is consid-
cred necessary to preserve the integrity
Of the wheels both in stock and In service
Moisture etc, cause wheels not iron
banded to open up while in stock and
II is said that 40 per cent of the trouble
with wheels In use IS due to non-bandlnS.
AS to width of felloe the society COM
rli,tee recommended that for single solid
tires the width OF felloe be the same as
the width of the tire and double that in
the case of dual equipment.
II was the sense of the meeting that
for demountable tires IN either single or
dual culipments 1t IS essential to have
dimensions in accordance with those to
ne adopted for regular detachable
tires.