New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-05
Motor Cars and
Motorists

An increase in the number Of arrests
for speeding made by policemen in the
last few weeks is not to be wondered at
1t is a.natural reflex Of the implied graft
revelations arising out Of the Cocchi
case. Sunaronses that used to be side
tracked in the monkey wrench" cases
are being served, apparently. Police
men who might otherwise be accused
OF loafing on the job and not doing
their full duty are now out among
them with great activity these days.
Speed law enforcement runs in
waves. There are stretches when the
police don't do much arresting. Then
comes an order from some one, or else
the idea circulstes that it would be
we'll to get busy. The result is an
increase, not in-speeding, but in ar
rests. And arrests for speeding mean
convictions for the same.
The automobile business f.-under-
going a severe trial these days. First
came the war, and the uncertainty as
to taxation. which put an undoubted
crimp in the sale Of cars. Then ap-
peared the statement Of the president
of the Standard Oil Company, a further
blow at the use of motor cars for tour
ing. wherever such use appeared to be
unnecessary. We are to take our
pleasure cars sadly, it seems. to para
phrase an old saying about the British.
Not only the business of selling au-
tomobiles, but the prosperity Of those
who look to the summer touring sea-
son for profit will undoubtedly be hit
by remarks such as Mr.. Bedfords.
Summer resorts, hotels on we'll known
touring routes and the automobile
supply stores all will feel the effects.
The motor car business has to be
veritable giant to survive such attacks.
Mr.. Bedford's statement points the
way to those automobile manufacturers
who produce truly economical cars to
cash in" Those also who manufacture
devices for increasing fuel efficiency
and economy have now a straightfor.
ward chance to prove the things they
have been saying about their goods.
Anything to make a drop of gasolene
produce more miles should be salsble
nowadays.
One result will be, too. to make the
public demand proof Of economy claims.
Something more than mere language
will have to be forthcoming. Even coun-
try-wide economy tests leave something
to be desired. They are indications OF
economy possibilities, under given con-
ditions. But to duplicate their aver
age result. under touring conditions,
and with the cars in the hands of
owners driving in the manner they
usually do, is another matter entirely.
Kerosene is produced along with
sasolene in distillation from petroleum,
but vast quantities of kerosene are dis
carded simply because there is no
market for the stuff. This has led one
automobile man of my acquaintance TO
suggest that he is going to try with
might and main to get hold of an auto
mobile that will use kerosene for fuel
successfully, thereby helping to solve
the fuel economy problem.
II is his thought. however. that il
the market becomes crowded with
kerosene using cars, the same situation
may arise with the lower grade fuel
that has come about with gasolene,
that is, there will be a shortage of
kerosene and an enforced wastase Of
gasolene. Fuel oil chemists can proba.
bly, set his mind at rest on that point.