August 1, 1911.] 



THE INDIA RUBBER WORLD 



397 



Other and equally urgent arguments may be ad- 

 vanced in favor of the substitution of motor propelled 

 for horse-drawn vehicles in city streets. Sanitary rea- 

 sons alone should dictate their preference, especially 

 during the warm months, and a reduction in the equine 

 population of the frequently overcrowded, poorly lo- 

 cated and not always sanitary city stables, is equally 

 desirable. Then, again, there is the question of space ; 

 approximately three automobile trucks would occupy 

 no more room in the streets, on docks, ferries, etc., than 

 two horse trucks, with much greater carrying capacity; 

 this would mean an increase of about fifty per cent, in 

 the space available for trucks, etc., in the streets, and, 

 according to competent authorities, would materially 

 relieve the existing traffic congestion. The recently 

 expressed determination of several of the steamship 

 companies, to admit automobile trucks to their piers — 

 following the action of the insurance companies in 

 waiving their objection to the presence of gasoline 

 autos on these structures — will in like manner facilitate 

 the handling of freight and relieve the crowded condi- 

 tion of the water-front. 



Careful calculations have shown an unquestionable 

 saving in maintenance and operating expense in favor 

 of the motor truck, as compared with one drawn by 

 horses, while with modern improvements in mechanism 

 and construction, the chances of delay or interruption 

 to service has been reduced to a minimum. The latter 

 is, moreover, a most important factor where long hauls 

 are undertaken. Transcontinental trips by motor 

 trucks carrying considerable loads, have been by no 

 means uncommon, and the obstacles the sturdy vehi- 

 cles have successfully surmounted on these long jour- 

 neys have fully demonstrated their serviceability. 



Another and a verj^ important feature in the ad- 

 vancement of the motor-truck to its present prominent 

 position has been the tire equipment. It has been de- 

 cided, after careful observation and exhaustive tests, 

 that for vehicles of light or medium weight, the pneu- 

 matic tire gives best results, especially following the 

 plan adopted by some of the most successful truck 

 builders in mounting two tires -on one wheel, so that 

 in the event of an accident to one tire, the other is there 

 to take up the work. Here again a source of objection 

 to the motor vehicle has been successfully eliminated, 

 and it has been demonstrated that quite large loads 

 can be successfully and cheaply transported on air- 

 filled tires, the speed and efficiency of the vehicle being 

 at the same time materially increased. 



The replacement of the horse-drawn by the motor- 

 propelled vehicle, even if gradual, will seriously affect 

 a number of important industries. It is said, also, 

 that the change is not likely to be effected gradually, 

 but that a realization of the advantages with which it 

 is certain to be attended, will result in a general move- 

 ment in favor of the commercial automobile, and that 

 the transformation will be effected more quickly than is 

 anticipated. It is certain that in some circles — notably 

 among express companies, manufacturers doing their 

 own trucking, farmers, etc. — conditions are ripe for the 

 change, and the movement once fairly inaugurated, is 

 likely to progress with surprising rapidity. 



Of special interest in this connection are the reports 

 on horse-drawn vehicles in the United States. Ac- 

 cording to figures taken partly from statistics and 

 partly from those who are in touch with that trade, 

 there were manufactured in 1910, 1,700,000 horse- 

 drawn vehicles. Of these, were pleasure vehicles, such 

 as runabouts, buggies, and light carriages, 925,000; 

 heavy pleasure vehicles, broughams and coaches, 150,- 

 000; business vehicles, such as light express wagons, 

 125,000; heavy business wagons and farm wagons, 500,- 

 000. The proportion of vehicles having solid tires fig- 

 ures out about as follows : Light pleasure vehicles, 60 

 per cent.; heavy pleasure vehicles, 85 per cent.; busi- 

 ness vehicles, 15 per cent. ; wagons, practically none. It 

 is well to remember of business vehicles that those 

 equipped with rubber tires are mostly used in cities. 

 There are also very few light pleasure vehicles west of 

 the Mississippi equipped with rubber tires — that is, 

 until one reaches the Pacific coast. 



A TIRE MAN GETS THE MILLIONTH PATENT. 



AS THE numbers issued by the United States Pat- 

 ent Office have been climbing up the late 900,- 

 OOO's inventors with patents pending and patent law- 

 yers have been anxiously craning their necks to see 

 who would get patent No. 1,000,000. It is a round, full 

 number, pleasant to contemplate and bound to bring 

 the fortunate patentee good luck in the w^ay of abun- 

 dant free advertising, if in no other way. So, as the 

 number of patents issued approached the magical mil- 

 lion mark, everybody has been peering ahead to dis- 

 cover the winner. The Patent Office is not noted for 

 bubbling garrulity, but the fact has been divulged that 

 patent No. 1,000,000, which will be issued about the 

 10th of August, will go to Mr. Hilton (presumably of 



