New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-06
Study in Casoeconomics.

Although the increased cost Of gasolene this win
ter drove large number Of cars into dead storage
a few gentle spring days will bring them merrily
out again We must motor II We have TO discharge
the msid and hang the landlord UP for the house
rent.
The first shock Of 25-cent gas has worn of to
great extent and before Easter We may be prepared
TO pay 40 or 90 cents without erumbling.
Gasolenc experts continue 70 maintain that the
good old days Of Il. Is and Is cent gas have gone
never 20 return. II So there is nothing to do but
adjust our pocketbook to meet our carburetor and
content ourselves with shorter JOY rides and fewer
stops at the wayside tavern.
Many of US have been wasting gas. few sharp
lessons in economy may serve as lasting benefit
We may learn II we drive. how 70 set the same
or even better result by using only half Of the
precious fluid.
You NAV not know II is fact that one man can
get twenty miles to the gallon and another can
AXE the same car, withoupt change or adjustment
Ct the carburetor, and get no more than twelve or
fifteen miles to the gallon. II you are an extrava-
CANT user q gas let some economical Gus show you
the trick.
was talking TO Joseph Tracy last week on this
subiect and find he is not in favor Of advising
motorists TO monkey with their carburetors in an
attempt TO cut down on the consumption Of gas.
Neither is he favorable 70 the application of
mechanical gas savers. Mr.. Tracy has laboratory
at Rutherford y. j.. where he is constantly con-
Quoting governmental tests for inventors and manu-
facturers Of cars, parts and accessories He has
tested a great many carburetors and so-cailed gas
saving devices.
II is frequently possible he says. 10 so adjust
standard carburetor that Il VIII save little gas
but YOU then invariably reduce the power OF the
motor. with a consequent reduction Of speed ana
hill climbing ability
This NAV be satisfactory TO some drivers. but
the average driver wants his engine to deliver Its
.uu power The more satisfactory way 10 save gas
il. therefore 20 keep your carburetor adjusted so
II will feed the motor the proper amount OF fuel
and then learn 20 use this flow Of fuel to the most
economical advantage.
Since the price Of gasolene has been jumping
M manufacturers OF various mechanical gas savers
have been advertising their devices extensively
fail 10 find that any Of these attachments VIII 90
what IS claimed for them.
1t is not hard to find man who has tired one
Of these attachments and who will tell you II Is the
greatest thing he ever put on his car. Inns Is
essilv explainable An owner who would invest 50
or $40 for such an accessory has made up his MIND
before he buys 1t that he is going TO save gas.
when he receives the attachment he puts it on, or
has il put on by mechanic; sometimes by the man
from whom he purchased H.
In this process he learns good deal about MS
carburetor. more perhaps than he knew before and
when he starts 70 drive again he at least has
the theory Of economical driving He may save
considerable gas but the saving is due more TO his
caution than TO the attachment He keeps track Of
ris gasolene and makes systematic effort to save
tuel. 1t is quite likely he would have saved more
gas had he taken the trouble to study his carburetor
and the art Of driving the minimum amount OF
gas.
1t is the old story. man goes to his doctor and
pays So 10 be told how to live the simple lie ana
aorse,ve his health His wife may have been telling