The Washington herald., 1911-05-21

The "Four-leaf Clover" sociability run
was far from Joy ride, as some pre-
dicted when the route Of the contest was
first announced The best proof Of this
fact Is that not a single contesting car
came through with q perfect score, the
nearest to 1t being three points checked
up against one machine for motor stalls.
Among those who participated in this
run were some who took part in the two
endurance runs to Richmond, Va, and
return a year ago. They conceded that
this run was a more severe test than
either Of those. the last one Of which was
Reid Immediately after q weeks steady
downpour
1t is true that In laying out the route
for this contest the idea was borne In
mind that It was to be over route such
as would be ordinarily used, by an auto
mobile owner who was out on a Sunday
trip. This was one Of the main reasons
why the start and finish Of each days
run was made to this city. Purchasers
of machines this spring have asked be-
fore signing the order and making a de-
posit for the car they selected that they
b. taken for a ride over count roads,
as they wished to use their cc.iS tor one
or two-day trips through the country.
Opportunity for Sales.
The entrants in this sociability run
availed themselves Of the opportunity to
demonstrate to some of their prospective
purchasers what their machines would do
over country roads in a competitive test
with other cars under the same condi-
tions
While the majority Of automobile own
ers hardly tour through the country at
an average speed of twenty miles an
hour, which was the average that the
larger machines were compelled to main
tain for the four days of the rum the
rules called for this rate of travelling,
and that the cars maintained II is but
another point in favor of the touring
ability of any of the machines which
participated. Another point that must
be borne in mind is that the private
owner when any little thing with his
car goes wrong while out on a country
trip Immediately stops and makes the
necessary adjustment
In all contests where there is prize
at stake and the standing of the car at
the conclusion of the event Is to be made
public. naturally each and every driver
wishes to refrain If possible from touch
ing his car, for he knows that II will
count against his record. Oftentimes lit
tie things that at first are trifles are
neglected, and afterward result in a
number of points being recorded against
the machines. For instance, the ma
jority of the participants in this run lost
most heavily on the brake test.
Brakes Somewhat Worn.
Naturally. after a car has been driven
600 miles over country roads, which call
for the use of the brake on frequent occa-
sions, the brakes are worn somewhat. On
the test all Of the cars were required TO
stop within fifty feet with each set of
brakes. or incur a penalty. The idea OF
this is to determine whether in case of
an emergency the car can be stopped
within a short distance. Ordinarily the
driver, IL called upon to pull his machine
up in a hurry, uses both sets Of brakes
to do so, and ordinarily can do so within
the required distance.
Taking on water Is another thing which
in runs Of the kind just completed the
machines are taxed for unless 1t is done
within controls. In touring a driver will
fill his radiator whenever he thinks it
necessary and not consider that 1t is any
fault of the car. Also be will not hesi-
tate in changing a dirty spark plug, nor
will he consider 1t any more than proper
that he should fill his oil reservoir If the
supply is getting low.
The winner Of the sweepstakes prize,
H G. Machen, a private owner, and his
Ford, which also carried off the honors
in division la, was the cheapest car in
points against him. and these for failure