The Washington herald., 1916-04-16


honor OF driving tho family chr. His
real reason Is without doubt in many
cases a wholly selfish onc-ne.hears OF her
proficiency and doss nos want her to use
the car as often as she would wish were
she capable of its operation But IN
spite of the many cynical shafts OF al
legged wit that soIcs superior men love
10 launch at feminine autoists. the wom-
an who drives ana understands her car
has a distinct advantage over the woman
who motors without enthusiasu1, ana
who does not know the difference be-
tween the spark plug and the rear axle
or muffler from the device which
silences-and there are many motorists
OF this type.
Many Dislike Machinery.
Then there Is tho motor woman who
dislikes machinery-who Is afraid OF soii-
ing her hands or gloves or gown with a
bit of oil or grease. and who considers
herself of far yreaisr Importance and far
more elegant when seated like an autoni-
atom IN the tonneau of the car dressed
as elsborately as the pastirne VIII POS
sibIy permit. with a miniature powder
puff always ready to dab her nose occa-
sionally for fear little dust may settle
thereon
But the time has come when the am
:Iition of the woman Attest Is TO be able
inteihgently to uu Ieretani the mechan-
lcal features OF her car and to learn to
drive well that she may go ont when and
where she wishes without being bothered
with a professional chauffeur. There
are very many women whO might onjoy
the PLEASURES and benefits of autoiDg
were Il not that they doubt their ability
to learn how to drive and how to over
come obstacles The majority of these
s.sz~fg .RAl a
master the modern car after some prac-
teal instructions from an expert.
great many women who could cas-
ily manage their car hesitate to do so
through mistaken ideas of. the din
Guilty to be overcome. The very nrst
thing necessary for the woman who
has decided to become an owner and
driver Is TO select her car. If she is
wise she will pick one which is simple
in construction. for this is an impor-
tant factor when she Is to drive the
ard manufacture 10 always preferable
to one little known, and a moderately
powered car win answer her require
ments perfectly. The first duty after
purchasing the car Is TO become IA
miliar with IL. for the greatest plea
ure of autolng Is TO be able to do
things about the car that cxigency
may demand.
The nrst time the woman operates
her car alone she will have very little
confidence in her own ability. 1t is al
ways wise TO practice turning--baok-
Ing about and turning around-plenty
Of room as free from obstruction as
possible should be found to expert
ment IN.
One should learn to control the
speed OF the car with spark and throt-
tie as much as possible and only re-
lease the clutches when absolutely
necessary. The low gear should be re-
orted to In extreme cases. The spark
tie for power. Gradually familiarize
ones self with the operation of the
car, the disengaging of a clutch or ap-
plying Of brake will become prac-
tically automatic
Engine Best at High Speed.
In driving Il b quits Unnecessary to
disensags tbs clutch or to apply the
oraks when turning corners. The speed
Of the car should be lsssened by throt-
ting as the corner is approached and
opening Up when aSout halfway around
Plenty OF room should be allowed In
case Of the car skiddfng. In climbing
steep grades II Is necessary TO drive with
the spark a little slower and throttle well
OP0uS1- &ue engine HoOulQ never De al
lowed to race: the moment Il begins to
r.cs the spark should be retarded. An
engine is at its best when run at Its
highest speed without racing.
A car should never he left standing
alone without setting the brake and re-
moving the switch plug. Is~ting the
brakes every day only takes a second
and is an important tlIipg
The woman autofst must have her car
positively within contr u before attempt
'rg stesp grades. In ascending the prin-
opal reduisite Is ricntv of power, while
In des>s 1ding the brakes ara as at 20
lctely n Nassary II ftaSer is to be avoid
ed When the woman is driving she must
give all her attention to her work. She
cannot look around at the scenery, talk
over the latest fashions with her friends
or forget her responsibility, for the
slightest mistake or loss of control of
the wheel may result seriously II not
fatally to herself and companions.
One should at first eonf1ne them
selves to short trips until they have
learned to understand each and every
piece Of mechanism OF their car ana