The Washington herald., 1912-01-21
imeIy Gossip Of Horses and Horsemen Automobile News
AUTOMOBILE SHOW SEEN
. FROM WOMAN'S VIEWPOINT

wideawake women OF to-day are more
intensely interested In the motor car
problem than ever before and the taelfth
national automobile show in Madison
Square Garden-that vast exponent of the
overwhelming Ken Of master minds-is
10 women as wen as men a means of
unlimited education. A woman no longer
estimates the merit of a motor car BY
the speed with which il transfers her
from point to point or merely It's pretty
color.N She may not be convsrsant with
an the underlying principles OF the slid
ing sleeve and poppet valves. ignition or
carDuretion. but she wants to know and
test the results During the past year
more women than ever before took up
the driving OF their own cars without
the aid OF the chauffeur, and 1912 will
sec many more do the same.
When. buying a 1872 model the woman
who expects TO drive her car an or part
Of the time is alert to ascertain n II is
too bulky for her TO handle with safety
in districts where traffic is congested
She VIII be decidedly in favor of a car
equipped with a self-starter electric
lighting system. and shock absorbers.
All Of these can be found in. many STYLES
and makes at the shows. The car must
meet her approval as regards the ease
with which 1t may be entered or aIighted
from, and. II a closed model, she will
learn II II fs weH ventilated. for her
rides are expected 20 be healthfuIly in
vigorating.
In wet weather, few women feel Sc
cure in driving a car without the regu-
lar anti-skid chains on the rear wheels
or a nonskidding type OF tire tread on
the rear wheels at al times. so great is
tAeir dread of skidding at the corners or
Of wheels being caught in trolley tracks,
which causes Violent sleving.
Beyond doubt many times the i'm
portant question: 'swtlI I be able to
manage motor car alonez'' can be an
swered by Demonstration OF the self
starter and the electric system. Crankfng
car Is arduous. slxirt-soilinE, and sleeve
ripping work at the best more strenuous
than most women otherwise capacItated
TO drive well can endure. Also, in wan
ing light. II the day has been stormy, Il
Is repugnant 10 any one 10 have TO circle
the car through mud or snow I'm an effort
to light the front and rear lights.
Women. from lack of practice. are not
adopts at lighting matches where strong
wind is blowing. and they welcome an in
vention that will free them from becom-
ing chilled or drenched while endeavorinR
to light three lamps. To avoid the en-
harrassment OF being arrested on a pub
lie road. or. what Is even more important.
TO insure their own. safety.
The woman who wishes 20 ride with
out injury over rolling. rough. OF fiat
country roads. who dislikes jcltiuE and
fears tire troubles and overstralning or
ciashing OF springs-and that means
every woman-will appreciate shock-ab-
sorbers. .-.
New runabouts on exhibition will be
found ideal for health-giving dashes on
fine days, and the electric landaulets
are easily handled and well equipped fer
a short trip. and will please all For
open cars women flnd windshieIds abso-
lutely indispensable and the adjustable
types are preferred. StIR winds. while
not always unpleasant, play havoc with
milady's hair. In closed types there are
some wonderfully appointed limonsires,
the interiors attractiveIy upholstered
with novel material in dainty colors.
with round-cornered cushions anywhere
from five TO twelve inches thick
What will be gratefully accepted this
season, when scant draperies are allowed