THE GASOLINE SHORTAGE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 46, 17 November 1917, Page 10

THE GASOLINE SHORTAGE

LOOKING POE SUBSTITUTES,

Alfred Reeves, general manager of tlio Now York Automobile Chamber of Com merce, in a statement issued recently, declared "there is no cause for alarm among automobile makers and users over the fuel situation, but it is both vn'so and patriotic to encourngo the conservation of gasolene by avoiding waste and by enreful carburettor adjustments and handling of cars so as to got tho greatest possible mileage from every galion of fuel used."

Mr. Reeves says:—"There ib alwnys the I possibility of using other fuels in motor vehicles. Alcohol has been successfully Used in Germany and France, and has been) used with good results in traction engines in Cuba, where the cost of production from cane refuse was only 8 to 10 cents a gallon before the war. In Germany the cost of production was from 12 to 15 cents. Alcohol can be used with ordinary carburettors, but the engine compression must bo raised. Coal gas is now being used ■ in omnibuses in England. After a. trial extending over four months, the Grimsby municipality has reduced the fuel cost of operating its system of motor buses from 4.3 pence (81- cents) nor mile to 1 2-!) pence. (3 1-3 cents). Tho cost of cool gas is 01 cents per 1000 feet, and of gasolene 01 cents per gallon. The only change made in the motor Is the lifting of' a butterfly valve in the air in-tnke pipe. In Yorkshire the use of coal gas in automobiles is _ increasing rapidly. The gas is confirmed In a rublier-lined canvas bag strapped to the top of the omnibus/ or lo the rear of the automobile. Undoubtedly tho gas could bo compressed nnd carried In a comparatively small steel cylinder that would not bo so large and unBightly. _ Tf the manufacture of whisky is prohibited by the American Government during the period of the war, the large distilleries will probably be glad to: turn to the distillation of' industrial alcohol from sawdust and other waste products, which can be'produced to retail with profit at prices no higher than gasolene.