The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-08
THE AUTOS
Shawnee Motor Club Takes an
Important Step.
VIII See That Roads Are
Properly Marked.

An important step is about to be
taken by the Shawnee County Motor
club, and all the motor organizations
alcng the Golden Belt route from Kan
sas to Denver. This is the placing of
leeible signs along the thoroughfare
which is the first interstate road TO
run through Topeka.
letter is being sent out by the Sec
rotary of the local motor club, Frank
Scuthwick, asking the members TO
come through with the cash to make
it possible to put up the signs along
this portion of the road
The signs are made of blue and yell
low enamel are bolted to four-inch
gas pipe, painted yellow, which will
be set in cement. The signs will stand
six feet above the ground, and will be
placed only where it is necessary to
have them on account of turns in the
road. Thus they will indicate the
course to be followed by the tourists.
Danger signs will also be placed IN
each side of railroad crossings and
other dangerous places.
The placing of these signs along the
route will undoubtedly mean that
many more motorists will pass through
Topeka than formerly
. IL might. be mentioned that a Topeka
firm, the Hinkson Sign Co, is making
the signs for distribi along the
Golden Belt route.
Signs of Losing Power.
Often when an owner notices that
MS car is losing power he is at a loss
TO discover the reason. This can be
due to many reasons, but is often
traced to the loss of compression.
one of the most unusual causes for
leaks during the compression stroke is
due to the lack of tightness between
the cylinder wall and piston. When
this occurs it may often be detected
by noting a hiss of escaping gas when |
al hn NIX
opening. The cause of leaky piston |
may sometimes be due to the fact that /
the engine rings become filled with |
carbon and burned oil, and do not i
der A quantity of kerosene oil, fed |
to the cylinder While the engine is be- |
ing tur1Hd over, will tend to allow it |
to move freely and may stop the leak. |
1t is verv probable, however, that the |
piston VIII have to be removed from |
the cylinder when this is done. The |
piston should be carefully examined, |
as should also the piston rings. The |
piston rings should be examined to |
see if they spring properly, or find out
If any of them are broken. After the /
rings have been properly fitted they
should show a bright surface all
around their circumference If any
portion is dull it is sure sign that it
is not correctly fitted. If all the rings
show perfect bearing up the cylin-
der the cylinder should next be in |
specie TO see if the interior surface
is worn in any manner. If the cylin- {
der is badly scored or scratched. it
may possibly have to be rebored. The
interior Of the cylinder should also be
Inspected to see if is is worn out OF
round. This often happens with the
opg diameter in the plane of motion
IF the connecting rod. When reboring
cylinder the greatest care should be .
aiken that the cylinder is bored ex-
,ctly in line with the former bore.
Value of Auto on Farm.
Is an automobile on a farm neces-
,ity or a luxury? 1t depends largely on s
lcw one looks at it, A Minnesota farm K
ar writing to his favorite farm paper,
says:
THE value of an auto on the farm
IAN hardly be estimated in dollars and
cents. One can keep a record of the !
expenses to operate machine. such as
he cost of gasoline. oil, batteries. re
)airs and depreciations, and by keep | I
ns record of the miles driven can !
eli what it costs in dollars and cents
@ run the auto during the season.
81 have an auto that I have used on t
ny farm the past two years. The first
car did not keep a record of my ex-
'enses last year, I did. 1t cost me
or the year of 1911, as follows:
,aSoiihe - Sze..'0
,yl1nder OIL $50
batteries OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $50
repairs ............... 1850
Total .................. $3.50
'I drove the auto about 1900 miles. as
ear as I could estimate it without a .
reedomoter, making it a cost per mile
about y C per mile. for the season. 4
his is what it cost me per mile as 1
ad three and sometimes four besides
1yself on long drives. which costs the
ate per mile to almost nothing COM
AIRED with the railroad or with a
cam"
NJ. F. Rigby has purchased a new
adillae. The Nicholas Auto company
lade the delivery this afternoon Mr.
Ticholas reports the delivery of a Cad
lac five passenger forty to A c. Cuff
er at Emporia.
The carload of Cadillacs received this
eek by the Nicholas Auto company
the new-five-forty purchased 6
y F. p. MacLennan
What is probably the largest ship
ent of auto tires ever placed in To-
eka was received during the past 4
eek by the Southwick Supply Co.
here were over 200 tires and castings
the lot.