Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-18

being paid to the cowl dash. They are
making it deeper. the arrangement for
the windshield, so that the shield is near
er to the front seat than heretofore,
without shortening the foot room. This
means far more comfortable riding on
windy day. Switches for the lighting sys-
tenn, self-starter, etc. are neatly taken
care of under this cowl, while some mod
els are being produced with all OF the
switches concealed in a single control
box.
Models Have Sloping Hoods.
Numerous new models have sloping
hoods, i.e., the uppermost part OF the
radiator Is lower than the cowl-cars
designed in this fashion. being more
like the European product Deep up
holstery is found on the majority OF
cars exhibited, while some body spe-
cialists are building cushions OF even
greater depth. Certainly the twelve
inch cushion makes riding considerapiy
more enjoyable than the old style.
Convertible bodies are proving their
worth for the owner who likes an
open car ordinarily and wants closed
body for Indictment weather The one
hand without even the necessity OF
stepping out of the car Is another
noticeable Improvement; With the new
1914 models more makes are io 'I,.,,
centrally located control. Several have
adopted the electrically controlled gear
shift. doing away with side levers en-
tirely. The left-hand drive is con
yenient in many respects, as II per-
mits easy entrance and exit TO the
drivers seat when the car pulls UP al
a curb. -,
gone through considerable evolution
since the automobile came into exist
ence. The majority Of makers have
now gotten the matter of springs fairiy
well standardized and satisfactory cor
getting out of alignment and squeak
ing are to be found on the majority OF
models. Numerous new forms Of shock
absorbers, or supplementary springs
The popularity of the coil spring type,
attached to the rear spring set of the
car. has gained remarkably, while
there are numerous designs of hydrau-
lie and friction types OF shock ao-
sorbers.
Among the various things in equip
ment which will attract the attention
of motorists will be the lighting sys-
TENS. which have added comfort and
convenience to the motorist. So thor
ough'y are the motorists accustomed
to the splendid lighting of today that
il they had to resort to the systems
in vogue a few years ago automooii-
ing would be confined to travel by day
would travelling be at night. The trav-
eler of half century ago was able to
light his way by the use of the kero-
sene lantern. but not many years be-
fore he had to depend on ta1low can
die in tin can. perforated SO as to
allow few rays to shed light on his
path while keeping most Of the wind
from reaching the fame. The result
was very insignificant. Today we have
the most profuse devices for illuminat-
Ing our going at night. While the
candle is still used in the ornamental
Chinese lantern and similar places. 1t
Is not the common form. Kerosene
burners with splendid wicks and per-
feet globes and glass to let out the
light in all directions are in common
use. But even these are no longer con-
sfdered up-to-date on the modern au-
tomobile, and the displays of this
weeks exhibition will show more cleo
trio and gas lights than oil ones.
Electric Light Is Old.
The electric light is the older form. A
quarter of a century behind kerosene, ii
came before the public in 1915. or soon
thereafter and took the country by storm.
To get brilliant light by turning but
ton and to find it free from flame or dam
ger of fire was almost an Arabian nights
achievement. When the automobile came
into use the electric light was, of course,
early thought Of In 1897 one maker Sc
cured small bulbs suited to the low ten
sion dynamo then used on his car for
ignition purposes and the electric head
light came into use. There were troubles
enough with the gas car at that time. and
SO the problem of lighting was left In
allegiance and the usual carriage lantern
generally fitted