Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-09


aoounds IN spots of historic interest,
such as the island of Saint Marguerite.
where the man with the iron mask
was confined. All along the road were
the warning signs Of the Touring Club
Of France. which. by the way. go fur
Their than merely pointing out the
danger spots, and give the motorist in
formation as to interesting III hist a,r1s
even goes so far as to provide benches
where there are particularly fine views
I'VE stopped for dejeuner at an old
country inn at Frejus, where we put the
car up In the cavernOuS stone stable adj
joining, without charge, and without haV-
ing any volunteer caretaker loafing around
for tip. We were now in the vineyard
country Of southern France. where the
going was level most of the way, bar
ring some eight miles across the noun
tains Of the Maures. The latter are COW
cred with cork forests. great quantities
Of the bark being shipped to the United
past vineyards, with the vines being
but stalks q foot or so above the
ground. They are all American roots.
by the way. the native vines some forty
the substitution of our roots having
been tho only salvation Of the grape
growers. 1t may interest you to be told
that this native wine sells at cents
'sone fifteen miles from Toulon we
passed through Hyeres, where the chief
Industry is supplying violets for Paris.
London. st. Petersburg and other pig
resort for Englishmen. fully 1000 of
them spending their winters here:
Dumping over Belgian blocks for several
miles into Toulon. our journey ended at
runabout, at a charge Of $2-think Of 1t
Last evening we dined at ono Of the
swell restaurants Of the town, took our
coffee on the sidewalk OF care. parity
sheltered by canvas awnings and heat
ed by three large stoves: Then we went
to a vaudeville show, where petts che
vaux gambling furnishes the entr'acte
attraction, and you get back your franc
on the winning one Of the nine toy
horses that are sent whirfing around
course In the center OF the double-ended
layout. The policy of the government is
to allow the officers to the ships and forts
to lose their francs on petits chevaux. on
the theory that it will keep them from
stalking larger sums at the clubs on
other games
grafton Of Womens Clubs in Grand
Rapids, Mich, wants the highways made
beautiful, and to further this plan 1t
has had the common Council OF that city
authorize the building Of q parkway
above, below and through the city. The
ladies' bless them. are aiding Michigan
motorists in their road-improvement
work.
ing through Nova Scotia this summer will
be acting wisely II they study well the
motor laws in force in that section be-
fore venturing across the boundary.
Several counties restrict the use OF auto
leging that on the other days the farmers
are entitled to q full and undisputed
possession Of the highways. Lunneburg
county has gone step farther, and has
forbidden the use Of automobiles on Sun
days, but it's officials vouchsafe no reason
for their action.
It Is estimated that 1900 moro cars
will be licensed in New York state this
exceed $4,000 The increase in the ranks
of the professional drivers is also notice
able, az about 10000 will be licensed TINS
year, or 5000 more than last. It is be-
$4,000 revenue from the motorists this
year. the month Of January alone show
Ing that 100000 had been received.
The directors OF the mile-high hill climb
at Redlands, Cal, have changed the date
OF the contest to Friday. April q. 1t
one for cars Of go to 300 cubic inches
piston displacement, another for cars in
the sol to $50 class and the free for all.
In the latter event the prize will be
$1,000.
Already thirty-eight automobile fire
vehicles, chiefly hish-pressure hose
trucks. have been ordered by the New
York fire department. :. The 1he hisn.pressure
have speed Of thirty miles an hour and
carry 1900 feet Of hose. tools and crew
smaller type costs 1850. has the same
speed and carries 1900 feet of hose
tower. costing $1,000. has been converted
into an auto-propelled vehicle, for $500
1t weighs 10000 pounds, has fifty horse
power and guaranteed speed of fifteen
miles an hour.
Misfiring is sometimes caused by poor
contact Of the carbon brush when FORM
ing part Of the low-tension circuit. The
spring pressure of the brush must be
strong enough to insure good contact.
All insulation surfaces in the distributor
should be kept clean, and the path trav-
eled by the carbon brush fabricated with
the slightest trace of oil.
The life and elastic qualities OF the
surfaces Of the leaves. the toggles and
the links are fabricated at frequent in
tervals.
* X
A 80 per cent solution Of muriatic acid
will give an excellent fluid for cleaning a
spark plug. The solution should be ap-
piled with a toothbrush.
Brakes are placed OH a car in order
that 1t may be controlled more easily.
but. except in case OF emergency, they
should never be applied suddenly. The
application should be gradual, reducing
the cars speed as quickly as possible
without locking the wheels. The retard-
ing action Of tie brakes will last just as
long as the tires retain their grip on the
road, but as soon as the wheels are
locked the brakes have little or no effect
and the car will skid or slide; in either
case the car will be beyond the control
OF tho driver. II the wheels become
locked while descending hill the brakes
should be released until the wheels are
again revolving and then reapplied gradu-
ally until they act satisfactorily.
Contracts for the construction OF 90
miles OF good roads in New York. to the
aggregate value Of So, 7OO,O0 have: been
awarded by the New York state high
way commission. These are the con.
tracts which were ready for letting last
January. but were held UP by Gov. John
a. Dix until State Engineer Bensel had
passed on them.
It has been virtually decided that the
Glidden tour shall be a one-week affair."
starting in this city June 10, and
ending in Ottawa. Canada, June 26.