The Washington times., 1911-01-26
Good Roads ractor That
Makes Industry yiffer
From American.
DURABILITY HERE
THE CHIEF DEMAND
Development of the Automobile
Marks Development of
Good Roads.
By HARRY WARD.

That Europeans want speedy automo-
biles is the conclusion Of George ".
Durham, consulting engineer of one
of the largest Detroit motor car factor
les. who has just returned from abroad.
while service is quite as essential in
Europe as in America, the foreign au-
tomobile builders render service along
entirely different lines" says Mr.. Dun
ham. "In this country the greatest
strain upon a motor car is due to the
road conditions. American cars are built
to withstand the terrific wrenching
which would be fatal to the working of
any piece of machinery except an auto
mobile. Our road conditions alone are
responsible for the models sent to this
country by most Of the European max
ers.
Hard on Highways.
European roads are very easy to
motor cars, but European motorists are
hard on them. The foreign cars have
to be built to endure high speed at all
times. 1t is quite ordinary for a Euro
pean motorist to drive his car for five
or six hours at thirty-five to fifty miles
an hour
Il recall one spot in England where
at turn in the road there was a sign
requesting motorists to slow down to
twenty miles an hour. The average
American tourist thinks he is travelling
pretty fast when he goes twenty-five
is to pull up to six or eight miles an
hour. But that sign was typical of the
European speed mania. The man who
travels less than thirty-five miles an
roads and is quite llkelysto be run over
if he doesn't keep out Of the way.
Much Depends on Roads.
IF we had European roads in America
along with our present speed regulations
the problem of building motor cars
which would render the best service
would be greatly simplified.
The European road system is really
wonderful. Our American good roads
movement seems almost trivial after
having motored in Europe. Over there
good roads are taken as a matter Of
course. Every community maintains its
roads without being forced to il. They
take pride In good roads. Several men.
whom ! met during my trip abroad were
quite astonished that 1 should comment
on their roads. They were amazed to
learn that we have a constant struggle
in America to improve our highways. I
really believe that the coed roads Of
portant factors in developing the auto
mobile. In this country the condition Is
reversed. The development of the au-
tomobile is playing the most important
part in the development of good roads"
The Terminal Taxicab Company. agent
for the Woods electric, has opened its
new garage and salesroom in the old
Heurich brewery on Twentieth street.
The building has been entirely remodel
ed. l.. p. Dorset, one of the pioneer
automobile men of this city, has been
placed in charge Of the Woods electric
department Several Of the 1911 models
are being displayed.
1t is rumored that Louis Chevrolet,
year Following the Vanderbilt Cup
er, will return to The racing game this
year. Following the Vanderbilt cup
race last year Chevrolet announced he
was through with automobile racing.
but the $4,000 prize that has been hung
up for the 500-mile International sweep
stakes at Indianapolis Memorial Day is
expected to lure the daring pilot back
into the game. wild Bob Burmau
and Arthur Chevrolet. the other Buick
drivers, will be entered In the big race.