The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-05-28

AHcrC is no praCClCaI reason Tor
allowing this condition to continue
and stringent measures should be
taken to remedy it. 1t is obvious
that nothing should be placed on
the front windows or windshield
which will obstruct the drivers
view and in this connection it should
be thoroughly understood that a
field of view of at least $50 degrees
or 80 degrees on each side of the
center-line of the vehicle is what
should be aimed at"
No Need For Blind Spot"
In declaring ''there is no practi-
cal reason" for permitting contin-
uance of the blind spot frequently
found in closed cars by reason of
the heavy wooden construction that
supports the windshield, the COM
mittee probably had in mind the
all steel body with which. many
manufacturers now equip their
chassis. The all steel body cuts
down to a minimum the bulk of the
posts" at the right and left of the
windshield, and allows a maximum
of vision to the driver as well as
to the other occupants of the car.
In addition to inSuring more
safety by means of greater vision,
the all steel body offers greater pro-
lection in case of collision. It's SUI
periority over wooden bodies in this
respect has been ikened to the SUI
periority of steel railway coaches
over the now obsolete cars of wood.
The additional factor of safety
provided by the all steel body is
also found in the disc wheel. The
"dishing" of disc wheel is virtually
impossible. and is one reason why
this type is almost universally used
on army trucks and taxicabs.
The committee, in naming the
causes of accidents, also blamed lost
motion in steering gears.
e"Fxcessive lost motion in steering
gears is undoubtedly the cause of
numerous accidents, as it has very
direct bearing on the certainty of
steering CONTROL" the report contin-
ued. "This is also true of the align
ment of the front axle and wheels"
You'd Use Engine As Brake
The committee. found that there
are few if any motor vehicles built
today that have sufficiently large
braking surfaces to control the car
without overheating on grades, and
urged that provision be made to
make more use of the engine in
slowing down.
"In practically all gasoline mo-
tor-vehicleS, the engine provides an
almost unlimited braking ability
if properly designed. 1t can pro-
duce high degree of retardation
by using the proper combination of
gears in the gear-box and also, due
to its facilities for cooling, can
produce this retardation for any
length of time desired.
"There are few if any motor We
hicles built today that have sufi-
GENTLY large braking surfaces to
control without overheating on
grades that are excessively severe
either as to length or steepness, or
both, which are occasionally met
with in service. In view of the cap
abilities of the engine as brake, it
would not be economical or desira-
bic to provide friction brakes of the
ordinary type to take care of con-
ditions that are only occasionally
encountered.
"In braking with the engine it is
generally believed to be desirable
to continue the ignition but to close
the throttle as tightly as possible.
If the throttle is adjusted so that it
can be closed to an idling speed of
not over 400 revolutions per min
ute, a maximum of retardation can
be obtained while still maintaining