JULY 22sn, 1905,
THE AUTOCAR B )ournal publisbe~ in tbe interests of tbe mecbanicall~ propelle~ roa~ carriage.
EDITED BY H. WALTER STANER.
No. 509. VoL. XV.] SATURDAY, JULY 22ND, 1905.
[PRICE 3D.
THE AUTOCAR.
(Published Weekly.}
Registered as a newspaper for transmission in the United Kingdom Entered as second-class matter at the New York (N.Y.) Post Office.
EDITORIAL OFFICE :
COVENTRY.
PUBLISHING OFFICES :
20, TUDOR STREET, LONDON, E.C., ENGLAND.
cycles, which are even more numerous than motor cars, viz., 34,706, and heavy motor cars registered under the new Local Government Board regulations, and which number 868, so that altogether the number of motorpropelled vehicles at present on the roads, or, rather, which were on the roads at the date of this return, is 66,703. This represents an increase of 67.34 per cent. Besides this there are other cars running about with manufacturers' general identification marks upon them. and which are not included in our returns.
CONTENTS.
NoTRS ! MOTOR CAR CENSUS-ROYAL COMMISSION ON LONDON
T RAFFIC ...
. .. 95-96
U SEFUL HtNTS AND TIPS: IN CASE OF P UNCTURE- DIRECT DRl\lE
SRIZES-SYNCHRONISING MULTI-CYLINDER ENGINES-THE STAYING OF PJPING... .•. 97 IS THE IDEAL CAR DESIRABLE ? • • • . .. 98-99 IN THE House OF COMMONS: THE F oRTHC(lMING 1:-;QUIRY JNTO THE
A~ ...
~
THE MoroR CAR CENSUS ... THE C•oss-CHANNRL BoAT RACE (illustrated) SOME PRIVATE Dusr TRIALS (i llustrated) THE HELENA TYRE OUTFIT (i llustrated) To THE GORDON-BENNETT RACE (illustrated) ... MOTOR SCHOOLS: A WARNING TO DRIVERS ... THE MOTOR UNION MEET AT CHESTER (illustrated) H ORSE AND TRAMWAY ACCIDENTS
IOO·IOI I02-I04 ... I05 I06-I07 I08-I09 . .. IIO Ill-II2
ll2
CORRESPONDENCE : THE BLACKPOOL MEETING-TOP GEAR TRIPS
MOTORISTS AND THE COMING ELECTION-A P RIVATE RELIABILITY RECORD-SEAGOING MOTOR BOATS- THE D USTY ROADS-RELIABILITY TRIALS-THE NECESSITY FOR STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATESMOTORISTS ANO JUSTICES' JUSTICE- POLICE TRAPS AND GOODWOOD RACES- DRIVING MOTORISTS FROM THE COUNTRY-ADVANTAGES OF PNEUMATIC T YRES-AMERICAN DUNLOP MorOR TYRE-CORROBORA• TIVE EvJDRNCE-SUhB1ARY OF OTHER C o RRESPO:-. DENCE II3·1I6 THE BRIGHTON RACE MRETING . . • ... II7
THE SrDDELEv-MevAN MATCH -To COLONIAL READERS .. . FLASHES
. .. IIB
ll9• I21
CLUB DorNGS (illustrated) : CLUB F 1xTUREs-L1vERPOOL A.C. G YM
KHANA-SOMERSET A.C. ANNUAL MEETING-HERTFORDSHIRE A.C. HtLL-CLIMB, ETC. 122 124
There is not the slightest doubt now as to the truth of the hackneyed phrase about the motor car having come to stav. It is here, and has, we will not say, so worked itseif into the affections of everybody, but has so demonstrated its utility and capacity to minister to the work and the pleasure of the community that there is now no fear of its being legislated off the face of the earth. Vie do not, however, shut our eyes to the fact that it has yet a hard fight to wage a.gainst ignorant prejudice which prevails in many quarters. It is satisfactory to note, however, that in the highest quarter of all, namely, in the Imperial Parliament, there is a growing feeling not merely of toleration. but of favour towards the motor vehicle. The motor car has. therefore, not only come to stay, but to conquer. It has already conquered to such a degree that it will not be driven back wherever ordinary enlightenment and an open mind to receive improvements from whatever direction they may come exist. This is the position attained, and motorists may, if they are watchful not to be caught napping when their affairs are in the crucible of national discussion, look forward with confidence to the future of their pastime and industry. They no longer form an insignificant part of the community; they have a rapidly growing numerical strength. and it behoves them to use that strength wisely-not with retaliatory overbearing intolerance towards those who would annihilate them, but with a reasonable consideration for the rights and privileges of others.
'' THE AUTOCAR" SUBSCRIPTION RATES. British Isles, 16:;. Abroad (thin paper edition), 22s. 8d. per annuui.
j Notes . . Motor Car Census. The increase in the number of motor cars reaistere<l throughout the United Kingdom since the pa; ing of the Act of 1903 has exceeded the expectations of even the most sanguine adherents of automobilism. A return which we have just compiled (which appears on pages 100-1 of the present issue) of statistics gathered from the various regi tration authorities throughout the kingdom shows that up to June.3oth last over 31,0~0 motor cars had been registered, the exact figures be1~1g 31,129. The number registered at the co:respondmg date last year was 18.340, the increase bemg 12,789. This number is independent of motor
There is no reason to believe that the rate of progression at which motor vehicles have increased in numbers during the past year will diminish ; we rather believe it will increase. Still, there is even now an element of uncertainty in the position, and a great deal depends upon the wisdom of motorists themselves in the attitude they display, the bearing they adopt, or _the sort of front they present in the trying times which are upon us. A false step at this juncture, an unguarded statement. a loss of dignity, even by giving vent to excusable feelings of irritation under the . oppressive persecution, which, we believe, is only temporary, and which will soon cease, any thouo-htless ?r inconsiderate act will tend. in proportion '"to its importance, to check the progress of the movement. Any false or ill-considered move in high places rnav eve~ ruin ~he immediate chances of development, bu·t fortified with the above figures the movement will be able to stand firm and flourish.
