Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-30
In the Motor World
BY ii. ADAMS HOWARD.

is Massachusetts avenue. Dug-up
and re-dug up. A wonderful boule-
ward the first part of last week,
causing those who travel upon it
to heave a sigh of relief. The work
was finished, it's old detOurS for
gotten. Then near Observatory
Circle a trench crossing it ap-
pears. Why wasn't this trench
dug prior to the resurfacing? The
answer still is why?
The new surface on MaSSachu-
sets avenue and Cathedral ave-
nue. running, into Wesley Heights
looks fine, but many motorists are
wondering whether it will stand
the hard wear or not. It was
cheaper and quicker at the outset
TO finish it in it's present form. But
will it hold up? If not, then it
will not prove to be cheaper and
quicker in the long run. Already
grooves are appearing, and just a
few weeks after being put down.
What will the Winter months do
to it? It seems to be too soft for
hard usage. Let's hope this Will
not prove to be the case.
Washington is the gathering
place for many things. Last week
it was the Stopping-off place for a
1919 model automobile, said to
have been driven $4,000 miles.
This is a remarkable achievement
in itself. Of course other cars have
been driven that far and farther,
but not so many. Many look like
it, but that is all. But the remark
able thing about the above men
toned car is that it has never
known the need of oil in it's crank
case. Gasoline was used in it's long
running, but not oil. It ran on
water, according to the claim OF
it's operator, H. Edward Linden,
representative of an alloy product
concern in Elyria, Ohio. Raising
the hood the other day, Mr.. Lin
den's unusual statement was
verified.
However, it is not the intention
of the Ohio concern to have
motorists give up oil with the in
stallation of this newly found
alloy, which heat and wear seem
not to harm. 1t is the belief that
less oil is needed, and should the
motoriSt run out of the lubrica-
ton fluid he can continue along
without oil, and use water until a
service station can be located. The
manufacture of the new bearings
and the particular alloy involved
is a secret. The following is re-
lated by Mr.. Linden:
$50 far the only difficulty en-
countered is the reluctance of
filling station attendants to fill the
crankcaSe with water, in the be-.
lief that 1t will ruin the engine.
This attitude usually makes it
necessary for the driver to put in
the water. Although it is not the
idea to replace oil with water, this
spectacular demonstration is being
made across the country to clear
ly show what the new bearings,
insulated head pistons and piston
rings will do when it comes to re-
ducing friction and diSSipating
heat in the motor. Under condi-
tionS Of perfect fabrication there
will be no bearing trouble, regard
less of the bearing metal used, but
inaSmuch as perfect fabrication
does not prevail the bearing metal
that will operate under conditions
of poorest fabrication offers the
highest factor of safety for eco
nomical operation. Bearingoy
metal was developed for general
industrial use to meet these con-
ditionS, to stand up under made
quate fabrication and to diSsipate
heat without cutting, scoring or
sticking to the shaft, should lubri-
cation fail entirely"
Compulsory Insurance.
The American Automobile ASSo-
citation will call conference Fri
day to discuss again compulsory
insurance. Arguments over rates
have arisen in Massachusetts,
which resulted in the resignation
of Commissioner Monk. This,
however, does not affect the merits
of the law itself. and means that
a business method of operating it
must be met with. According to
the American MotoriSt ASsocia-
ton, which organization also is
looking into the discussion Gov
Fuller, one of the proponents of
the law, is more in favor of it
than ever.
Automotive sales continue at
new high levels. The local Auto
motive Trade Association will re-
sumo it's meetings tomorrow night
at the City Club.