Norwich bulletin., 1911-08-02

More money is being expended in
the good roads movement throughout
the United States this year than has
ever before been utilized for this pur-
pose. Some results of the work being
done by the Touring club of America
in conjunction with the American as
sociaticn for highway improvement
toward educating the public to the
value of improved highways through
out the country, are illustrated in a
States office of public roads, which
shows that nearly 1900 miles of
transcontinental, interstate and trunk
line roads are contemplated in various
sections of the country.
Although the chart was prepared by
the office of public roads, it does not
by any means represent all the work
that has been projected or is aided
financially by the government. The
idea in issuing the chart was merely
to show the tremendous Impetus that
lately has been given to the nation
roads. Practically every state in the
union is benefited to some extent by
the proposed new highways, and the
widespread interest in the good roads
movement indicates that the time is
not far distant when the United States
will be interiaced by complete sys-
tenn of good roads.
Estimates prepared by the Office of
public roads show that by improving
20 per cent. of the roads of the ma
ton almost the highest point of eff
cheney could be reached. Twenty per
cent. of the roads in each state could
be improved by an expenditure of an
average sum of 100000 per state,
and the annual saving thereby, IN the
wear and tear on horses, wagons and
automobiles, in the transportation of
crops and increaser land values. is
estimated at over $1,00Q,00Q,000.
A great deal of experimenting has
been done in starting devices since
the gasoline motor has been developed
to a high state of efficiency and the
makers have had the time to go fur
Their into construction details and
equipment refinements. One Of the
most important of these on which a
great deal of time and money has
been spent is the problem Of starting
the car, if possible, from the seat.
Many devices have appeared from time
to time for starting the motor, but
practically all have proved to be too
complicated. and in many cases spoil
ed the appearance of the car.
An electric starter, which has been
patented in several countries, is an
ingenious device, and with the aid of
a little motor about six and one half
inches long and couple of ignition
batteries will start a high power car.
1t also is equipped with q special fea-
ture TO take care of possible kick back
of the motor and is rugged up so that
the car starts instantaneously by
pressing a button placed on the steer
ing wheel.
Never before have the popular tour
ing routes through New England been
in such excellent condition as they
are at the present time. More motor
lists are travelling through Connecticut
and Massachusetts to the White
and excellent reports have been receiv-
ed at the various branches of the
Touring club of America, regarding
the ideal road conditions
The use of gyroscope on an au-
tonoblle as preventive OF side slip
ping, or skidding. has been demon
strated with satisfaction in England,
where such device will shortly be
placed on the market. The apparatus,
it is said. can be fitted on any car,
the most convenient position being be-
hind the radiator where it may be
driven from the fan pulley.
A demonstration of the device was
given before large number of ex-
perts in London short time ago. and
a majority cf the spectators were
deeply impressed with the possibili--
the greatest dangers in automobiling.
Because of the number Of crack
drivers entered for the Dead Horse
hill climb at Worcester, Mass, on Au-
gust II. it 10 a matter of speculation
as to whether or not a new record for
the hill will be established The pres
ent record is held by L. F. N. Baldwin,
who made mark of -fifty-fou seconds
with a steamer in 1908. The fastest
time ever made by "a gasoline car was
by Caleb Bragg last year. when he
covered the course in fifty three sec
chine.
To city, the least thing to be con-
sidered is the cost of its fire fighting
apparatus. and in spite of the showing
we have made. I consider it the least
of The many advantages which the
motor apparatus has over the horse
drawn, says a Springfield fireman.
Speed with safety and reliability. are
the chief things to be considered in
the equipment fo- fire fighting. All
the apparatus from the outlying dis
tricts of a city can be quickly con
centrated on a big fire in an incred--
IDLY short space of time when the mo-
tor fire engine is universally adopted.
When that time comes it will not be
necessary to have engine houses so
near together as at present.
Equipment can be increased with
out additional cost of buildings, as
two pieces of motor apparatus will be
accommodated in the same floor
space as is necessary for one piece
of the horse drawn. Horses are much
more liable to accident than automo-
biles ana in q sudden sleet storm, deep