The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-12
AUTO PARTIES TO
CROSS ENTIRE j. S.

Many cities in the far West are
to attract automobile tourists. So
great has become this competition
that. in some instances. committeess
consisting of six OF the leading Local
automobilists, are sent to -vafioHsI
parts along the National Highway
these advance parties frequently
going into an adjacent State to NEE:
motorists at their early stops at no.
tells, garages. and even at junction
points along the road. where every
effort is made to divert incoming
motor tourists over the particular
road or through the section of the
country the committee represents.
As a rule, however. this only occurs
when nearing the Pacific Coast. About
fifty towns i'm the Middle West and
near the Pacific Coast have free pub
lie camping places for automobiles
with electric lights and running
water facilities. The newspapers in
nearly every city of Importance in TIE
far West have large display adver-
tisements of equipment especially
suitable for automobile camping-ouS
parties" such as folding waterproof
car seats. and every comfort imagin-
able for folding numerous necessaries
into compact space.
Touring Is Popular.
Cross country automobile touring is
becoming so popular it has reached
the stage of nicknames: the classy
Fastener refers to it as his land
yachting trip; the city man with Bo-
hemian tastes prefers to call it It's
motor caravan" and says he is about
to enjoy the dream OF his life and be-
come an automobile gypsy for six
weeks or so.
Some parties use a motor truck At
ted up with every convenience
yeritable travelling home. Others pur-
chase fully equipped trailers, which
can be towed behind an ordinary pas
senger car and 'propped" by the side /
Of the road anywhere the party wishes |
TO camp; the passenger car is then |
freely used for short trips. These |
trailers are fitted with extension tops, |
like spring-roller curtains of canvas, |
and open out like tents; with teIe- |
scoping floors. folding tables. hunks. |
and special compartments for kitchen
utensils, clothing, etc. The more lux |
urious have water tanks, baths, ana |
toilet convenience.
Small farm houses along the road |
hang out signs Of fresh eggs, milk, |
vegetables. and fruit" while others |
are out to become regular road |
houses" with their signs OF table |
Ooaru as a beginning.
Need Magnetic Ignition.
There are hundreds of miles of un-
Inhabited wild country. however. !
which no car owner should attempt to |
travel across without making certain !
his car is equipped with magnetic ig- |
milton in addition to his regular bat !
terry system.
The latter should only be used for !
the self-starter, and for lighting anG /
operating the horn, as service stations |,
are not available for vost distances. ,
The magnetic can always be relied /.
upon to produce a big. hot spark in /
the cylinder and get the most power
from the engine and more miles per
gallon from the gasolene, while the I
strain upon the battery system, If |
also required for ignition. is the cause |
IF most Of its troubles. buckling OF |
olares, loss of voltage and going
dead"
Don't attempt the trip across the !
great 4 meriCan desert. or over the /
beautiful Apache Trail, or over the |
Rocky mountains. unless your car is |
nagneto-equipped. for otherwise il is !
dangerous with only battery igni- |
ton. there is every possibility of being |
stalled" and helpless. without hope
Of help sometimes for many days |
Iotor cars with only battery equip |
ment. and outfits, have had to be
abandoned. even when the tourists |
themselves were rescued.