davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1937-06-20

one such apparatus utilizes spare
tire or wheel in its operation.
In = miscellaneous aggregation, q
National Capital inventor has designed
gear shift lever horn which he be-
lieves will simplify control of an au-
tomobile and render greater con-
venience to the motorist. Working
along decidedly different lines, George
c. Craig Of Bloomington, ILL.,. has
patented an airless tire, which relates
to improvements in cushion tires.
Prominent IN the list of inven-
tions for both auto accommodation
and appearance is a metal tire cover
originated by Detroit resident and
now forming the equipment of a ma
jority OF modern cars. This metal
lie cover combines little expense, sim
plicity Of construction and few parts
that are easily assembled or dissem-
bled; in addition, this type presents
a neat appearance and forms ade-
quate protection to the spare tire
against the elements.
A VAST array Of appliances are in
order for the motorist interested
in the assurance Of complete comfort
upon the open road. Ranking high
in this group are screened ventila-
tors with q provision for bringing
part Of all OF the window glass to
an angled position. Another appara-
tus for ventilating and cooling auto
mobiles arranges to change the air
in the upper portion of car above
passengers heads without danger OF
injurious drafts. One such device con-
sits of a conduit or metal pipe en-
bedded in the car wall above the rear
window. Opening into the atmosphere
is provided below the floor, thus in
suring q continuous change of air
In the entire car near the ceiling.
Improvements to prevent sagging
and permanent distortion OF seat
cushions Is promised by two inventors
from Hamburg, N. Y. Their patent
embodies additional resilient support In
the overhung portion Of the frame
nllA dAco AAOAoC0 NduSSu ny
flexing Of the cushion.
Naturally. 1t Is to be expected that
the attention Of many inventors would
be drawn to perfection Of safety de-
vices for motoring, and thus we OBJ
serve several proposed appliances to
Danish accidents. Occurring in this
class are anti-skid patents from Ger
many, Mexico and the United States
The American contribution is an anti
skid tire, while the German con-
trivance consists OF weight sus-
pended from a V-shaped carrier at
the rear OF the chassis, guaranteeing
balance Of the vehicle when taking
curves.
A New Jersey inventor has provided
for automatically stopping An auto
mobile engine after . predetermined
period Of motor 1dling with the trans
mission gears in neutral or disen-
RaRed positions,
Evening star., 1937-06-20
Defective Cars CHALLENGE
TO Average Motorist
More Searching Inspections Are Needed to
Uncover Hidden Weaknesses in the
Modern Automobile.
1 THOUGH majority OF them
are ciyAro q rlaop hill NJ heoItl

4 THOUGH majority OF them
~ are given q clean bill OF health
~ by inspectors in States where
4 a test Of mechanical accuracy
Is required most cars need safety serv-
ice. According to trade journal, four
out Of every five cars inspected in
Pennsylvania need some kind Of me-
chanical adjustment or replacement
That is 80 per cent OF the cars in
service in that State alone.
The prevalence OF mechanical in
security in mistreated cars has been
underestimated rs q result Of a desire
on the part Of many safety advocates
to single out the automobile driver
himself for criticism. There Is q
growing belief among those who have
gone into the subject more searchingly
that much which passes for bad driv-
ing Is more likely to be the difficulty OF
getting safe results from even slightly
untrustworthy cars.
Combine an inferior type Of driving
with an unrespOnsive car and an acci-
dent is just = matter of time.
A survey made Of the steering OF
number of cars which look to be
In good condition revealed that specia
skill was required to keep them to q
safe course. A dangerously low per-
centage OF drivers have this skill II
Is the ability to keep constantly
jockeying at the wheel so that the
car will not dart off the road while
going through Its spells Of wandering
The attention required of the driver
Is more than he should normally bt
expected to give, and certainly more
than he can give If below standard
Most Of this absence Of safety L
unknown to the owner. Often it devel.
ops so gradually that he become.
conditioned to the situation, gradually
adapting himself to the situation ane
adopting special action in order te
compensate. But there is also a de.
liberate attempt on the part of many
owners to get through inspection lane.
with cars which are definitely shy
OF safety.
1t is possible. for instance, to keer
the engine running throughout a tes,
so that the inspectors do not know
that there are teeth of the f1ywheel
Such an engine may need the aid OF
hand cranking whenever it is started
That might be menace if the engine
happened to stall when the car is ir
q DANGEROUS place, such as on railroaC
tracks or In the path Of fire apparatus
There have been numerous in
stances OF cars passing inspection be-
cause Of owners borrowing" or rent-
ing better tires for the occasion Un-
fortunately, the way the brakes are
Evening star., 1937-06-20
GADGETSFORO OUR RAUTOMOBILES

Doubtless every motorist has known
the evaporation OF having his car
run backward" when the brakes are
released after the vehicle is stopped
upgrade. Probably John L. Adams
Of Los Angeles, Calf, was more fore
IDLY or at least more effectively i'm
pressed than the average motorist
who mutters imprecations under his
breath during his cars "downhill''
progress. At any rate. Mr.. Adams
has patented an anti-backing appli-
ance which has for its object instant
snubbing OF the propeller shaft to
arrest backward movement after STOP
ping and yet avoid engagement Of
the snubber with moving parts during
normal motion.
Coming under an entirely different
classification is compass or direc-
ton indicator designed by Harry L.
Gebler OF New York with view to
showing the traveller his proper
whereabouts This instrument Is
characterized by a casing having a
translucent window and rotary
shutter with an arrow and drum
beneath the shutter for directing il
Elimination.
Constituting another group of in
dicating devices Is that broad class
Of automotive accessories designed for
displaying warning directions to IA
cilitate movement Of autos in traf-
nc. Included are recent inventions,
revealing to traffic left and right turns
as we'll as slowing down or stopping
of the vehicle. One OF these pro-
vides signals of different colors, which
are automatically controlled through
the ordinary procedure of driving, SO
that the warnings are actuated with
out undue effort on the operator s
part. Another device for similar
purpose Is double-acting indicator
with q direction display cylinder and
q revolving drum.
FOR the drivers advance informa-
ton, New Orleans resident has
patented mirror attachment which
Is adapted to reflect cross traffic, such
as at street or road intersections be-
fore actually entering the intersection.
Also with q thought to aiding and
informing the automobile operator
Is recent adjunct developed by a
Dallas. Tex. inventor Being pri-
marily a combined cigarette package
and ash receptacle with an inclined
striking surface for matches, the ac-
cessory possesses reflective means
adaptable for adjustment to disclose
another automobile approaching OF
passing on the drivers left; a con-
vex reflective means allows the opera
tor to view traffic signal lights over
head at street intersections.
Remaining within that group OF
convenience appliances" we find nu-
merous parking devices to facilitate
parking in narrow spaces. Most OF
these are arranged to swing either
the rear or front end Of the car into
the curb by proper manipulation and
Evening star., 1937-06-20
ByS. r. Winters.
A WASHINGTON base ball player
~ was hailed knto court for

A WASdlNI1ON base Dali player
~ was hailed knto court for
~ speeding along q prominent
4 4 thoroughfare at the rate of
40 miles per hour. The incident in
itself is not unusual, but in his angry
vexation, he asserted the need OF an
audible signal or bell attached to the
speedometer which would automati-
cally notify the unwary motorist of
his excess of the speed limit.
Perhaps the American League star
would have been vastly more irritated
had he known that lying idly in the
files Of the United States Patent
Once are plans and specifications for
the type OF indicating speedometer
he suggested. Listed as Patent No.
1,924,4l3, this device is the invention
of Edward D. Phinney. Mount Ver-
non, N. Y.
According to Mr.. Phinney's descrip-
ton, his contrivance provides an aud
ible signal at predetermined speeds
without requiring driving connections
to the propeller shaft or wheels Of
the automobile. Instead, attachment
Is made to the instrument panel,
steering column. or gear shift lever
and the arrangement which Is COM
posed Of vibrating reed and sounder
may be set to operate at the maxi
mum permissible car speed. Where
upon, attainment OF the given speed
is announced by resonant vibration
or reminder to the driver, enabling
him to keep within lawful limits at
all times, without so much as a casual
glance at his speedometer.
An oft-repeated maxim, There is
nothing new under the sum-" is
scarcely applicable to the field Of
automotive discoveries for numerous
'gadgets" originating in the fertile
brains Of countless inventors through
out the world contribute daily toward
motoring comfort and convenience.
Often these inventions are out
growths Of individual annoyance and
discontinue experienced during some
particular feature Of normal motor
car performance.
FOR instance, virtually every driver
is familiar with the annoying ex-
perience Of locked bumpers" a fire.
quent occurrence in trafic. Firm in
terlocking may take place in such a
manner that considerable difficulty
is encountered in separating the ma
chimes with possible resultant damage
to tenders or other parts. 1t has re-
mained for three Michigan men to
devise an auxiliary attachment which
positively prevents hooking together
OF adjacent bumpers although they
are at unequal levels or on different
makes Of cars. Patented late last
year, this aid to motoring is already
upon the market and may be quickly
installed on any conventional type Of
bumper employed without alteration
Of construction.
Evening star., 1937-06-20
Y0UAND You're
AIDED BY RUSSELL
Replacement Of Sway Bar
Sometimes Needed to Pre-.
vent Steering Trouble.
BY FREDERICK c. RUSSELL.

When you're in trouble with the
car it's better to figure on being in
the right than on being in right.
The anti-sway eliminator on mod
ern cars can be a source of puzzling
trouble with the steering, If it happens
to be bent. Since this rod usually is
connected between the two shock alb
sorbers, usually at the front Of the
car, any DETECTION Of one front spring
may not result in free return OF the
shock absorber arms to their normal
position because of the bent rod. This
will cause the car to wander, just as
if it were out of alignment. Replacing
the sway bar will prove the necessary
remedy.
New Wheels Are Turning.
Things are moving along in the
motor word at pace where even the
oldtimers, who are justified tain feel
ing that progress Is due for leveling
off now, freely admit that the revolu-
ton apparently has only just begun.
This view is frankly shared by all who
have been privileged to inspect the
newest in car bodies. which can be
zipped of and sent to the laundry for
cleaning Now they are talking about
transparent material for the engine,
so that the owner can raise the hood
and see with his own eyes just what's
going on inside.
Return engagements are not un-
usual in today's panorama of motor
car progress. Many are noting with
amusement the introduction of q new
pumper to provide the owner with air
pressure when needed. The device Is
screwed into one of the spark plug
openings. Automatic transmissions,
long in the experimental stage. took a
big step forward when the newest Of
fering in this line was revealed, built
into the engine itself.
Plugs Do Wear Out.
Those well-used spark plugs may
seem to be good for additional serv-
ice, but careful check on them prob
ably will reveal number OF conditions
which lead to plug inefIiciency. Any
one of these shortcomings should be
reason to replace the plug.
A cracked porcelain Is a common
fault. Excessive corrosion Of the
points, or gap wear, can be corrected
by cleaning and adjusting, but usually
where these conditions are found
there will also be imbedded conductor
particles on the inside of the porcelain
where the center electrode passes.
Frequent adjusting Of the points may
fracture the side electrode, while long
service in the engine is certain to de-
Evening star., 1937-06-20
Tool.Proof Steel.

ONE type Of tool-proof steel bar
employed in safeguarding the
contents of buildings and retaining
the inhabitants OF prisons Is con.
structed somewhat after the manner
Of telephone cable.
A number Of rods Of the tool l-proof
steel, so hard that no normal tool
can cut them. are nodded within q
regular steel rod and thus combine
the resistance OF the tool-proof type
and yet keeping the cost down, by
surrounding the rods with regular and
less costly steel.
Evening star., 1937-06-20

l. In room darkened 50 that you
can barely distinguish articles, stand
over or near an unlit light. Pick out
some picture or object across the
room. Turn on the light or 8 or 10
seconds, then turn 1t off. Try to dis
tinguish the object on which your
eyes were focused.
2. Place a match box or other
small article on the edge of a mantel-
piece or have some one hold a pencil
vertically at eye level. Walk away
or 3 feet. Close one eye tightly.
Walk forward and try to place the tip
Of your finger on the object.
Evening star., 1937-06-20
9O,OO0,OOO Fibers.
THE Department Of Agriculture

THE Department Of Agriculture IS
seeking to perfect chemical meth
DDS of testing cotton fiber to replace
the present mechanical method, which
while fairly accurate, is tedious un-
dertaking.
1t IS estimated that there are 90.
100000 individual fibers in one pound
Of cotton. fibers which vary from LA
of an inch in length to 3 inches. Tho
individual fibers vary In thickness also
from stem to butt. adding to the din.
Guilty Of carrying on physical or me.
chAnical test.
Evening star., 1937-06-20

velop leakage. This may occur at the
shell or up top where the connector
fits into the porcelain. We have both
mechanical and electrical dsintegra-
ton to consider,
Evening star., 1937-06-20
FUN with FACTS
THE FACTS.

l. Notice that there Is quite an ap-
preciable interval before the object
becomes visible again. This nearly
duplicates driving conditions at night
with headlights Of an approaching
car. During the several seconds which
may elapse before maximum vision re-
turns, your car may travel more than
100 feet. (40 m.pm. = so feet per
second1
2. Without the unobstructed vision
OF both eyes, it is difficult to judge
distances accurately.
Evening star., 1937-06-20

velop leakage. This may occur at the
shell or up top where the connector
fits into the porcelain. We have both
mechanical and electrical dsintegra-
ton to consider.
Mechanic Joe Speaking:
Those cracking noises heard when
cutting the front wheels to their ex-
treme positions may sound alarming,
but they usually indicate merely that
the shackles are loose. There Is q
good deal Of strain in parking, espe-
cially If the wheels are cut over to
their extreme positions, where the car
really is raised or lowered a little.
Tight shackles and spring clips will
prevent this slight shifting Of parts
under pressure and do away with the
puzzling noises, which lead the unwary
to believe that something is broken"
Thoughts for Tourists.
The engine isn't likely to be as good
a compression brake when we'll heated
up. Oil thins down and the valves may
not seat tightly. This lowers COM
preston, lessening the engines brsk-
ing effect on doWngrades.
About the only thing the factories
haven't installed to make the modern
car safer in an upset is something to
switch of the engine automatically.
But you can buy one Of these simple
little switches and have it installed. It
will greatly lessen the hazards of fire
or gassing, in event Of an upset.
If you stop for directions or to rest,
when passing through city, always
go to the opposite side of an intersect-
ing street. You are then beyond the
traf1ic light and will not be delayed
when you are ready to set sail again.
Getting Under the Fog.
If there is anything in the theory
offered by the makers of special fog
lights, then the best way to obtain any
sort Of decent vision with the cars
regular lighting equipment on a foggy
night Is to throw the light rays down.
If the light beams are lifted they will
meet the suspended drops Of water and
be didused in such q way as to blind
oncoming drivers and give the oper-
ator Of their own car merely a screen
Of reflected light. Fog lights get under
the fog. They do this better also If
their beam falls to the shoulder Of the
road. An amber lens helps to reduce
glare.
Did You Know It:
There still are some cars in opera
ton which do not have brakes as
powerful in reverse as in forward
speeds. Remember this when tempted
to back up too freely, especially on
downgrade.
II the car rides very much better
when the luggage compartment is
Allied, why not carry a few bags OF
sand when not touring? Quite a num-
Der Of motorists find the extra weight
provides much better motoring.
Sudden stopping may prevent you
from keeping the radiator water level
up to the desired point. When the car
comes to an abrupt halt water surges
forward and usually goes out the over
flow pipe.
Evening star., 1937-06-20

EDITORS NOTE-Ths the eeventh of series articles
exposing ucos racets being pracced in the name charity
innocent Oictims Washington The Uhich
crooks the and deuices they employ
explained these articles hh reveal in detail actual
of charity racketeering here.
Evening star., 1937-03-28
Snotches

AN elaborate and costly book of
pictures promoting the film ver-
sion of Lost Horizon" has lust
come out. In big type it an
nounces. on the title page, that
Frank Capra has produced the
play and that Ronald Colman is
the star. In small type at the bot
tom the reader finds the name of
James Hilton, whose brain gave
the story to the world.
1t reminds us Of tale they
tell in Hollywood about the re-
cent production Of Romeo and
Juliet" When it was about to be
released this picture carried, be-
sides the names of the actors and
many others who had contributed
in one way or another, the names
of three writers who had worked
on the script. Shakespeare was
not mentioned. 1t seems there
was some kind of rule which said
that not more than three authors
should have screen credit for any
one picture. Somebody had to be
left off, and Shakespeare, not be-
ing present to fight for his rights,
and being the least known, was
left off. Some literary person
made a fight for "W.S." and his
name was finally placed in modest
type at the bottom.
Evening star., 1937-03-28

Wharf is mile ?Mathematicians
say it is $3.50 feet. but this
answer was not enough for two
theatre owners who were recently
in litigation in the Supreme Court
in New York City. One claimed
that the other had entered into
an agreement not to open a mov-
ing picture house within mile
of his own. This raised the legal
question, "What is meant by
within mile'?'
One lawyer argued that the dis
tance should be measured as the
crow flies
The. other lawyer argued: 1T
should be measured as a man
walks on a public highway"
1t was up to Judge Sheintag to
decide this question. He decided
that since men, not crows. att
tended the motion pictures, the|
mile would have to be measured
as man would walk, on the
highway.
NJ.
Evening star., 1937-03-28
" Scientist ond Nobel Prize Winsss

truth but the disbursement of propa-
ganda for political purposes.
In the light of these facts and
thousand others - which prove the
slavery of the individual to the state
- who is there who does not fear for
the individuals sovereign rights in
religion, science and education?
Only where the democratic spirit of
freedom reigns can any one of the
three make enduring progress. When
ever the power is inherent in govern
ment to dictate, the threat of inter-
ference hangs like shadow over
mems minds, and few there are who
will not compromise to avoid the dan
ger. And history proves that where
power lies it will be used, particularly
if it is the evil power to tyrannize.
Political dictatorship destroys ini-
tiative, makes for uniformity; it fos-
ters isolationism. the enemy of free
thought and international under
standing; it puts body, mind and soul
into bondage to political, self
aggrandizing power called the state; it
destroys the freedom women have
won for themselves; it makes men
into puppets of rule by force; and it
enslaves children in self-sufficiencv
and hatred for others.
One great dictator-ruIed state is
swiftly declining in its scientific
achievements. The science which it re-
tains is primarily utilitarian. In other
states ruled by a dictatorship, some
aspects of science are advancing while
other aspects are under official CEN
sorship because of the danger" of
accurate knowledge. The remaining
relatively free countries, such as
America, Britain and France, are now
the guardians Of unfettered science.
religion and education.
Science and religion may be provin-
cIalized for the immediate advantage
of government. But the cultivation
of faith in the value of tested truth as
a guide for action is the real hope of
the future of our civilization.
A resurrection of democracy is nee
essary to save our accumulated heri-
tage of the last 700 years. But it
cannot be accomplished by well-wish-
ing There must be born again in us
the ceaseless urge to know the truth.
regardless of what it is or the hazards
in attaining it; there must be no re-
strictions of race or creed or national
isms upon it; there must be courage in
applying the truth to all realms
of life.
In that adventure science and re-
ligion will find their reconciliation.
and education will 60 forward. And
in it also will be found the only endur-
ing bulwark against the political die
tatorship which threatens the world
with the darkness of superstition and
violence, the doom of civilization.
Evening star., 1937-03-28

+. BRITTEN AUSTIN knows war.
Two years before 1914 he had
won fame as writer of war
stories - and in 1918 he wrote
book that forecast much of the
World War that was to come.
He was one of England's first
to enlist, and served on the
Western Front until 1917. Then.
invalided home, he turned again
to writing. One of his stories
described the first tank attack,
as a German battery commander
saw it. 1t was so accurate that
the censors at first refused to
pass it. They thought it was
captured German document.
Since the Armistice he has
watched the world stumble to-
ward another war. How will the
nations stand if Mars calls again,
Read F. Britten Austin's answer
in the next issue:
LINEUP FOR ARMAGEDDON"