Norwich bulletin., 1913-04-17

tend the greatest automobile race ever held within the history of the sport.
 During the recent flood and it's dew
 astation in Indianapolis and surround ing territory, the motor car was the
 one dependable utility long after the street cars and telephone systems were
 out of commission.
 Some of the Indianapolis automobile factories were caught in the flood, and were sufferers along with thousands of others. The National Motor Vehicle company was not in the flood zone, however, and was not even compelled to shut down during the trouble This company provided all the cars that could be put to work for the relief of the refugees and others in need For four days and nights these cars were on the run, drivers being Irelayed. These cars were used to carry provi- sions through the rain, and even snow, to the flooded districts; to take mili- tia men to the points of danger; to carry nurses and physicians; to trans port the rescued sufferers to hospitals and homes of friends; and used by newspaper men. The first people to get into the flooded district were car ried in a test car driven by Harry Martin. who was Joe Dawsor's mech anician in the 500 miles race last year.
 The first helpers to reach such places as Peru, Nashville COnnerSville, Broad Ripple and other surrounding towns around Indianapolis were carried there through almost impossible roads by the willing test car drivers.
 George M. Dickson, general manager of the company, who in person had charge of the work, and was up night and day without rest, says: We only wish we could have done more. The motor car, however, saved many lives, otherwise it would have been prac- ticaIly impossible to get quick atten- tion to the sufferers.
 Although if is one of the advantages of the average electric lighting dy- naH1o that it can be applied to almost any car by almost any person possess ing even medicum of mechanical ability-the common variety of repair man can be assumed to possess a lit tie mere than that modicum-the same can be said of very few electric start CTS. So far, only one manufacturer has developed an electric starter that is easily applicable to any existing car without the necessity for extensive alterations, says Motor World. and has advocated it's application by any one other than himself. and though the loathness of others to follow suit may be excused. in measure. by their fear of permitting installations that fall short of the efficiency and depend ability demanded and obtained of fac tory made installations, it would seem
  nc means small field.
 The used-car problem has net been solved as yet And until all manufac- turers rebuild ears taken in exchange, bringing them up to date by the addi- tion of such modern equipment as the electric lighting and starting system presents-whieia may or may not represent the happy solution of the problem and which probably never will come to pass-there will remain on the market large numbers of old cars that are minus these features, In many cases their owners want electric lights and engine starters and are willing to pay a reasonable price for them, but they are liable to balk at any proposition involving extensive and expensive alterations and the conse- quent loss of the use of the car for a time long enough to make the install lation.
 Now that the electric lighting and engine starting system has become standard equipment on so many cars. much of the mystery that shrouded 1t when first it appeared has been dis sipated and it's installation outside of factories rendered possible. One other point: The development of such cas- fly attached systems very likely would open up a way for the dealer in used cars to bring his wares more up to date and to dispose of them more easily, thus, in turn. opening up the way to greater trade in new cars by taken in exchange.
 During cold weather priming caps are much more appreciated than dur ing the summer season, for the lower ming of the pistons and difficulty in getting a starting mixture. Both of these conditions can be readily rene- died by the injection of a. little gaso- line in the cylinders. Where the de- signer has not thought to provide caps the spark plugs can be This means considerable wear on the threads and should be avoided if possible. In such cases if the carburetor is fitted with an auto through 1t to provide a rich mixture for starting. If the nagneto Is located on the same side of the en- zine as the carburetof care should be taken to avoid spilling any fuel near the former else the vapor which forms started. Unless the magneto is in closed 1t is a. good plan to cover it while the BrimiHg is being done.
 More evident this spring than ever i before is the inclination on the part 1f American motorists te tour in their 1Wn country, rather than to ge abroad i aRd eeatinue jeifheyiHg eyer the we'll s1anHed road systefns of France, Ger many and Great Britain, Early in- 1uiries from members of the 300 l naericaH automobile association clubs | a the touring Information bureau at l t3f Fifth avenue, indicate that while | S'eFH England. as usual, will get her | share of these interstate travellers, i many others will venture inte the | Becky mountain territery. with a | growing percentage seeking the Pa l fife coast
 WPhile the axaet. route of the 1913 | aa1teasa Faa4aszazty teslR fer the aald=