January 11, 1905.
did any good. I loosened the nut on the by-pass regulator, reducing the pressure to 120 pounds, which stopped it. I have put on a strainer constructed similar to a union, next to the water pump, which has proved a good thing, as it can be cleaned on the road and keeps dirt from the checks and pump. Its cost is $1, It is not on the market, but I got mine from the man that invented it. If the water fails to reach the boiler in sufficient quan- tity the trouble probably is the corroding of the by-pass valve. The rod should be taken out occasionally and turned to the right taper. When it becomes necessary to put in a new one I will try brass or bronze,
‘When I put in the kerosene system, the
THE HORSELESS AGE
Experience of a Season With a Car for Hire. By H.T.C.
Since its introduction as a means of conveyance the automobile has been pri- marily a pleasure vehicle, and, although it is recognized by many that the manv- facturer's ultimate success lies in his abil ty to produce a practical and satisfactory commercial car, as yet little thought is given by the general public to the auto- mobile as an investment for pecuniary re- turns. In a few cases there are found regularly established automobile trans- portation lines, and in still less frequent cases, outside of large cities, are found dealers who conduct an automobile livery
Conste Rock, Norra Suirurmio, R. I.
plan for connecting I obtained from a Boston manufacturer. So far I would not go back to a gasoline burner.
The accompanying views were taken on ‘one of my trips through Rhode Istand. Cobble Rock is quite a natural curiosity. supposed to have been leit there during the glacier period. The contact points of the boulder with the rock on which it rests are within a § foot circle. It is dis- figured by initials, as all curiosities are. Attempts have been made to roll it down into a hollow. The rock is about 5 minutes’ walk from the highway between Woonsocket and Slatersville. The view looking up the Blackstone Valley is a pleasing one, showing the bend of the iver on the railroad curve. On the dis- tant hill two tanks of the Woonsocket Water Works are seen, elevated about 180 to 200 feet above the city.
Since 1900 the number of horses in U. S. is said to have increased 20 per cent.
as an adjunct to their regular tine of busi- ness,
About a year ago the writer, not feeling entitled to own an automobile for pleasure purposes, took under consideration the Possible returns to be derived from oper- ating a car for hire during the summer, it being possible to so arrange other busi- hess interests that they should not conflict. There was no automobile livery in ope- ration within 30 miles and the loca- tion on the Connecticut coast, being a popular summer resort, together with the knowledge of an existing quality of roads far above the average, with no prohibi- tive hills, made the project seem feasible. Accordingly I purchased in April an 8 horse power car of the detachable ton- neau type, driven by a double opposed motor mounted within the body.
To the experienced motorist the idea of attacking a project of the magnitude of an automobile livery with an 8 horse power runabout would be likened
43
unto pulling a tooth with a silk thread, in that, regardless of the beauty of the equip- ment, under the stress of actual service the apparatus would break down. In spite of the excellence of this theory the results of the season's work are con- tradictory. During the time between April 1 and November 20 the car covered over 6,300 miles; carrying, for a large part of the distance, four, and often five, passengers, occasionally six and in ‘one instance seven. During the entire season it was necessary on only one occa- sion to summon outside aid to help the car home, In this case a broken chain incapacitated it, and the accident occurred when the party aboard was out by in- vitation, With the exception of three broken commutator springs and the ever to be expected tire troubles, the passen- gers were always landed at their destina- tion without five minutes’ delay from any improper conduct of the car. ‘The abso- Iute dependence which could always be placed in the machine made it possible to keenly enjoy the constant driving and proved an excellent objéct lesson to that class of critics who thrive on the expres- sion, “Git a horse.”
‘On only one occasion when out with a party did I entertain any misgivings as to how the car would work, Shortly after starting a tendency to fire in the muffler developed, although the batteries were in good shape and the plugs clean when the car was taken out. The drive was com- pleted without undue annoyance, and on returning to the barn an investigation was instituted which disclosed the fact that the primary cable irom the coil to the com- mutator box was rubbing against the frame and the action having chafed off the insulation, occasionally grounded the wire, thereby causing a premature explo- sion.
A few of the experiences the summer's work afforded may be of interest. Early in the ownership of the car the necessity of affording some adequate protection to the motor and chain became evident and a canvas boot was constructed, which ex- tended from the rear axle truss rod to the front wheel fender stay, with lateral rods to hold it from contact with the moving parts of the motor. A sheet of copper laid over asbestos, both being riveted to the canvas, prevented any danger of fire,
The boot soon proved its worth. One evening, shortly before 10 o'clock, a tele- phone message arrived, stating that a wo- man, having lost her last train, wanted me to drive her to a town 20 miles distant. It had been raining during the evening, but the call was urgent, and after removing the tonneau and replenishing the tanks I got under way. The fitst. 10 miles of the road was largely macadamized and familiar ground, but beyond this the country was new to me and the roadbed sandy. So much rain had fallen that the wheel tracks were filled and the car was
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