MOTORS & MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2323, 3 December 1914, Page 9

MOTORS & MOTORING

[By Cmjtob.] An American's Stratagem. A motor-car bearing a party of Boston people figured in oiw of the most exciting escapes of foreigners from war-rent Europe. .The flight led over tho summit of tho famous Stolvio Pass, the loftiest in Europe traversed by a carriage road. Mr. Charles C. Hoyt, of Brooklino, accompanied by a motor party, consisting of Mrs. Hoyt, Edward M. Farns--worth, Mrs. Farnswortb, and their daughter, were caught in Vienna the day Austria began mobolisation. The tightening intensity of the situation _ warned them to lose no time in fleeing for neutral territory, and tho party at once resolved to rely -upon its automobile. Train schedules had been abandoned, and tourists were terrified, but the way over the Alps was still open and Mr. Hoyt made for it. On tho snow-draped summit of tho pass, two stones beside the road mark the international boundary between Austria and Italy. Halting his machine the American paused to hand tho guard the paper which had authorised him to travel by automobile in Austria. His bond was returned,and tho party lingered a while to ob'sorve tho beauties of the place before starting the descent into Italy. After a moment they were abruptly informed by an Austrian official that war had been declared, that no more motor-cars might cross the pass, and that the party nrast return down the Austrian eide. Hoyt, noting that his car was standing exactly across the international boundary line, its engine in Italy and its rear wheels in Austria, said in an undertone in English to his chauffeur, "Run it a little ahead." With an almost imperceptible movement the chauffeur took the rear wheels over the line. Mr. Hoyt, turning to the official, replied, "You see, eir, my car is not in Austria. You have signed my papers. Our business is finished. I shall descend into Italy." The guard saw tho point, yielded gracefully, and Hoyt's was the last motorcar to pass from Austria into Italy. The route then led through Bellagio and Milan, and thence into Genoa, whore the party secured passage to America on tho refugees' transport, the Principe di Udine. . The Fauna of the Road. When you meet a dog on the road, do not use your horn, use your voice or whistle to him. Generations have taught him respect for the humaa voice; tho horn is still comparatively new to him. When you meet a fowl on the road, do not attempt any dodging tactics. If tho worst comes to the worst, the price of a fowl is not to bo compared with the prico of human life. When you meet a road hog holding the crown of the road, sink your feelings and give way in timo. A blow to your prido is less than a blow to your car, Leave it to the next comer to try a fall if he likes. Tho fall will come sooner or 'ater. When two road hogs meet 1 When approaching a corner, do not "blind" round. You will some day meet a flock of sheep or a road-roller, and the subsequent proceedings will requiro much explanation—always provided that you are there to explain! When you meet a lady driver, show ycur respect and judgment by giving her a wido berth. Not all lady drivers have yet roalised the danger or amenities of tho road. When you meet an undecided pedestrian on the road, the polite course is to give him the option of crossing in front or returning to the side ho left. Lf he is at allflurried, it is best to give the car a distinct swerve to one side or the other when still some little distance away. This will help him to make up his mind.—"Light Car." Australian Military Fleet. An. imposing and impressive sight was me two miles of military motor wagons that took part in a procession through Melbourne last month, states a correspondent. Over 100 wagons in all rambled past, sach with its crew of armed men. Included in the line were motor-cars, motor repair shops, and y?rZns &i an outlay of £200,000. This fino fleet of vehicles is tor use for transport purposes in con-' nection with the Australian Expeditionary Forces. An instructive feature of tho parade was a practical demonstration of the value of tho workshop caravans attached to the fleet. A breakdown had been arranged in order to show the capabilities of the repair shops, and tho ast wagon of all grunted to a standstill before the saluting base. Down from thoir seats lenped the crew, and a soldier' on a motor cycle buzzed up to ascertain' the damage. A new bolt was- required for one of the springs. In a moment the oyclist was popping down the road again to summon help, and ere a moment had passed one of the. travelling repair shops β-rnved, carrying the dungaree-clad mechanics. With a rattle the sides of the vehicle were let down, displaving the lathes and tools within; an officer connected the leather belts with the engine, and switched on the electric light.' Straightway the shaft began to buzz round, Md drills and planing tools wero hard at work,'to 'the tune of a clinkclank of hammers. Within five minutes (i new bolt had been made and fitted to the spring, and the "broken-down" tvagon rumbled off, amid the cheers of . the spectators. It was a remarkable display of efficiency, and the mechanics deBerved the applause. In viewing this splendidly equipped motor fleet, ono could not help feeling that one important feature is lacking, and that is interchangeability. The selectors of these vehicles, who have done their work well, are not to blame in this respect, for the same trouble has already been experienced with the English, French, and Belgian motor transports engaged in the war. There is little doubt that one of tho most important factors in a motor fleet for war purposes is the need for standardised or interchangeable parts, such as wheels, crankshafts, etc. Even with a fleet of 140 vehicles, such as tbat attached to the Australian forces, tho fact tLat so many different makes of vehicles ha-i to bo selected from various quarters renders the unit less mobile than if standardisation were possible. In tho future, no doubt the military authorities in the \arious countries will use their influence with the motor manufacturers in thoir respective countries to standardise such important parts as the wheels, axles, etc., of motor vehicles, suitable for military and transport purposes. Hero and There. Legal lighting up timo for motor-cars and motor-cycles:—To-day, 7.23 p.m. ; noxt Thursday, 7.30 p.m. "There are practically no motor-cars operated by private individuals in Europe to-day," so said Mr. .Tohn N. WiU lys, a foremost American motor manufacturer, on his arrival in New York nfter escaping from the European war zoue. A foot-controjlo'l chnnsro-spoed gear for motor-cars is the subject of a recent, American patent The low prico of iiuliarubbcr is tending to redirect attention to the claims of solid tires for use on the driving wheels of heavy curs. Good results nre obtained in practice, whore speeds above 20 miles per hour are seldom if ever required, and whoro owners aro willing to travel at 10 miles per hour on bumpy roads.