STANDARD AXLE FOR VEHICLES. 91 



and materials from the figures of 1870. Tlie carriage- 

 builders of all sections desire uniformity ; but it is not for 

 their interest alone, but for the interest of the whole coun- 

 try, and the personal convenience of every man in New 

 England, that this uniformity should be brought about. We 

 in South-eastern Massachusetts cannot buy a carriage, and 

 have the pick of the market : we have barred ourselves. 

 We cannot invite entire strangers or friends to spend their 

 summers with us : we bar them by a provincial and an inhos- 

 pitable custom. 



What should be the standard width? I have corresponded 

 with various carriage builders and traders in this and other 

 States, and find no disagreement upon this point. Generally 

 throughout the Northern States the standard gauge of the 

 street-railways is four feet eight inches and a half. In New- 

 York State and City, and in New England, there are no ex- 

 ceptions to this rule of four feet eight inches and a half 

 between the inside upper angles of the track. The tracks of 

 city railways in the West are mostly standard gauge, the same 

 width. In Canada, Mexico, and South America, the standard 

 track (four feet eight inches and a half) is generally in use ; 

 and, as the carriage-track of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, 

 and New York is four feet eight inches, that width is univer- 

 sally recommended b}"" those who have dealings in carriages. 

 One gentleman writes me that there is hardly a law which 

 the Legislature could enact which would do more practical 

 good than one which would enforce uniformity in this respect. 

 All agree that it would be cheaper to widen than to lengthen 

 an axle, and that by a standard track of four feet eight inches 

 is meant a track four feet six inches from centres; four feet 

 eight inches being from outside to outside. The editor of 

 the " Hub," the organ of the " Carriage-Builders' National 

 Association," to whom -I am indebted for much information, 

 has declared, that, " unless distinctly stated to the contrary, 

 the track of a carriage is now always measured 'out to out,' 

 the same as street-railways, by which the carriage-track of 

 cities is largely influenced and practically governed." 



How shall this desirable assumption be brought about? 

 Mr. B. C. Shaw of Indianapolis, Ind. (whose firm are making 

 a circle-track carriage, with spring gearings, by which, when 

 the carriage turns, there is a spring joint in the perch, by 



