South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-31
MOTOR MEN Talk
Of DIFFICULTIES
IN FUEL PROBLEM
Efficient Use of Available
Supplies Seen by Means of
Flexible Specifications.

Prominent executives and techni-
cal representatives OF the automo-
tive and fuel industries met at tho
University club. New York. recently
10 discuss problems relating TO the
nature and future supply OF fuel
suitable for automCtite purposes,
and ways and means FOR utilizing
this supply most efficiently and
satisfactorily In the automobiles and
other autOmotive vehicles now IN the
hands of users. as well as in thoso
Of vehicles 10 be constructed in very
large quantities in the future.
The meeting was preceded by .
dinner rendered by representative
OF the autCmotive industry 10 those
representing the petroleum industry.
In the absence OF Charles r. ket-
teriug past president OF the Society
If AutOnOtive Engineers. and its Of
Icial representative on the automo-
t.-c conference committee. Mr..
GARRISON read a statement in which,
Gar. Kettering said in part
In Two Glasses.
The fuel problem as II exists to-
day divides itself into two general
classes. one OF which belongs 10 the
automotfve manufactures and the
other 10 the fuel manufac turers.
However, a complete solution in
either case is impossible without the
hearty cooperation of both indus
tries Mr. kettering then outlined
in a general way some Of the re-
search work bearing upon the fuel
problem which has been conducted
in his own Laboratories In genera,
The statement vas 20 the effect that
mucn basic research still necessary
20 determine just what phenomena
occur during he combustion of fuel
4u the engine cylinder. but that the
research 20 date appears 20 indicate
that a further study Of the problems
viii enable a satisfactory engine fuel
t0 be produced even though IL be-
-omes necessary as seems most
INely. TO cut still deeper into the
crude than is now common practice.
Tne foregoing statement elicitOd
considerable valuable discussion.
Representative OF the automotive
industry pointed out the needs. from
IT'S standpoint, of securing the best
possible forecast concerning the ma
ture Of fuels to be used IN the cars
now being produced. or prepared for
production. I'm order that steps can
be taken TO satisfactorily utilize the
fuel that will be available.
Need Flexible standard
The subject Of fuel specifications
was discussed at some length and
II was generally agreed that a fixed
specification would be detrimental to
both producer and consumer, but
that a flexible specification which
would be changed from time TO time
as the exigencies OF the fuel supply
and demand may dictate would be
usenlul TO all concerned and a great
assistance 20 tho autOmotive manu-
facturer in enabling HIM to design
hts product in such a way as TO utt-
lie the fuel most satisfactorily.
II was generally agreed that the
numerous problems involved in a
satisfactory settlement OF the situa-
ton, rendered thorOughgoi' & and
extensive research work very neces-
saTv. Both the fuel and automotive
representatives expressed a desire
for the heartiest cooperation and
agreed 20 utilize present laboratory
apparatus and other research facili-
ties 20 the best possible advantage.
u II shall appear that these Sacili-
ties are net adequate for the sOlu-
ton OF the problem In hand. ways
and means for securing additional
facilities OF more centralized ma
tI1re and better suited for alta cking
the problem are "a be given c reful
consideration.
To Tell Troubles.
Il was agreed that the representa-
tives OF the aLtomOtive industry
would outline in considerable detail
the various difficulties which the
RCtclmotive engineer and car user
faces IN the use Of present-day gaso-
line. and also endeavor e state
clearly the fuel problem as II ap-
pears 20 the automotive industry,
this for the purpose OF aiding the
fuel industry TO prepare 20 meet
the problem, so far as this can be
done BY the rehners. IN addition,
the representative OF the automo-
tive industry indicated a desire I'D
adapt the apparatus produced by
them 20 the fuel which the Pc
troleuun industry. faced on the one
hand by the increasing demand,
and on the other by a diminishing