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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (July 21, 1912)
TITE SUNDAY OREGOXIAN. PORTLAXD. JULY 21, 1912. ow is the Time to Buy a TRIP TO GOLDEN STATE BY AUTOMOBILE FOUND INSTRUCTIVE Oregon Can Learn by Seeing Good Roads in California, Says Motorist-r-E. L. Thompson, Who Made Ran to San Francisco, Says Oregon Loses by Lack of Better Highways. 13 N fee?, jr- ,. ' ( rr9 . xNr MW "ri - - " -J 1 Per f get Road Between Sacramento and San Francisco 150 A! ilea Lodr 2, Rest in a- In a Shady Spot In Cow Creek Canyon -3, Winding Mountain Road Between Kennett and Dnnamnlr -4, One of the Numerous Kerries Croaaed on the War to California 6, On the Top of the Siskiyou. A liberal education In the matter of good, and bad roads, according- to E. L. Thompson, la a trip from Portland over the mountains to San Francisco by automobile. Mr. Thompson,, with his family, has Just completed such a trip, and he says that he wishes every resident, of Oregon who is Indifferent to the importance of road improve ment, could have a similar experience. "We ought to be thoroughly ashamed of ourselves," said Mr. Thompson, de ploring the particularly bad roads In Southern Oregon. "Here in our state we have some of the most beautiful scenery on the continent, and in the wonderful Crater Lake region we have an. attraction for tourists unsurpassed anywhere, yet our highways leading Into this section are In disgraceful con dition. Not only are they rough and uncomfortable, but actually dangerous to traverse. The persistent motorist, after managing1 somehow to negotiate these treacherous gutters, and pushing on over the mountains, finds a marked contrast In the beautiful, well-kept boulevards of California. Consider in? the comparatively unattractive scenery or me aacramenio aiiey region, and the hot weather with whirling dust and gusty winds of that; section, one might wonder how it comes , that these California roads are fairly alive with touring cars, with green, cool, appealing Oregon so near by ex cept for the condition of the roads In our state. The roads are the explana tlon. and if our highways were only half so good as those In California we would draw touring parties from all over the country all season long." Trip Take Six Days. "We made the trip from Portland to San Francisco In six days," continued Mr. Thompson, "and were kept very busy at that. This trip really should take only four and a half or five days, and this would be the standard time for the Journey If our roads were anywhere near what they should be. With the present tendency towards open-air driving and the popular idea of spending vacations traveling by motor, we should right now be draw ing the bulk of the non-resident travel to our Northwest, where we have the cool weather, green woods and ever changing panorama of beautiful scen ery In contrast to the dry. scorched plains and foothills of California. Bad Roads Expensive. "By our backwardness In improv' Ing our roads we are losing a great deal of money and valuable opportuni ties of advertising. The average tour lng car carries five or six people and each party Is good for from Ho to J2o per day at hotels along the route. If our roads were comfortable to travel upon we could have a steady stream of these touring cars running through our state from early May until away Into October and November, and the money they would bring Into the Northwest would be scattered throughout the country, in much more beneficial way than that which we have been gather ing In through our festivals and carni vals here in Portland. And this would not be the only benefit of road im provement, for local business and land values would feel the advantage very quickly of the easy and comfortable highways. All through Central and Upper California this Is realized, and the hotels -nd business houses along the way look forward every season to the profits that come to them from automobile travel. Automobile parties are a wholesome class, liking good rooms, good fare, and everything first class. They are good-natured and pay liberally for good treatment. It is a class of patronage that Oregon should not be missing. Preliminary Work Big- Aid. "The one thing that was impressed upon my mind, second to the bad roads in Oregon and the good roads in Cali fornia, on this trip," added Mr. Thomp son, "was the excellent preliminary work already done by the Pacific Highway Association. The surveying parties for this organization have gone over the route most carefully and if the doubtful tourist will always fol low the way pointed out by the official signs, he will not make any mistakes. Through the vicissitudes of our Jour ney, these signs of the Pacific High way Association loomed up as never failing beacons, and. as we came to each one we felt as if we had found an old friend. They are placed at each parting of the ways, and, although they seem at times to counsel the trav eler wrong, this Is never the case. No matter how rutty and treacherous seems the road they point to, nor how fair and inviting the way that leads In another direction, the signs are to be relied upon, and if they sometimes seem to lead one a long way around, there is always a good reason for it. The "pathfinder" cars that have sjone over the route very painstakingly have tried out every possibility and have chosen the easiest and safest of the roads. "One of the very worst stretches of road Is that through Pass Canyon, from Cottage Grove southward, anc: again the road on both sides of the border line in the vicinity of Cole's Station is very bad." , Of adventures along the way, the j Thomnson nartv had an abundance. Asseveral bad mudholes and sinks had they were passing through Cottage been negotiated with difficulty. . . . : Towards the end of the Journey, rove a oeavy raiu 8lunu """miles out of San Francisco, they as they proceeiea tne rain Degan tstruck tne hard surface of the excellent come down in torrents, tne rutty roaaroad tnat runs into the broad boule became worse and worse and the carvard being built through the foot beean to skid badly. Directing the hills into Oakland. This road, for rest of his party to get out and walk, about 40 miles, leads through "Dublin Mr. Thompson put chains on both rear Hills," And the boulevard is to be 60 and forward wheels and cautiously feet wide, hard-surfaced, curbed and drove the car forward at little more with a grade of only 60 per cent. It than a snail's pace. The storm and runs along the edge of a gorge. the bad roads continued until within through the mountains, and is most at about 80 miles of Comstock, where the tractive. But if Oregon could have persistent optimist and good roads such a road through any portion of its booster, somewhat bedraggled, but still beautiful scenery, there would be no cheerful, again took his passengers onpossible comparison, says Mr. Thomp board. son. who says "it is to be hoped that By way of a change, an InvitlngOregon residents will come to realize stretch of roadway, of decayed granite, their neglected opportunities in the was happened upon between Ashlandnear future and help the good roads and Grants Pass, but previous to thisenthusiasts to do something." ELECTRICS GOHE III Dealers Say Eastern People Bring Cars With Them. PRICES ARE DEPRECIATING Immense Growth In Popularity Is Shown by Increased Somber of Machines in rse Cost of Up keep Is Diminishing. BY J. It. D. KEPPT. Durinir the recent Elks' convention many of the visitors remarked about the absence of electric cars In this city anil nuestloned the reason therefor. They remarked about the miles of fine. hard-surface streets, the Deautirui resi dences, the vast wealth of Portland and the Ideal conditions for tne elecric car. Some of the visitors rented electrics and the manager of one of the electric garages said that he had rented every electric he could put In commission, and all to Eastern people. The reason for this probably Is tnat electrics have been used for a longer time In the East, 'the factories being there and naturally catering to the nearest markets. Today, however, the electric manufacturers consider the en tire country their market and are build ing their plants to take care of the growing demand for this type of car, which has gained a reputation for Its simplicity, quiet running, convenience and comfort. That the electric is practical and is growing In demand Is shown by the following figures or three American cities: Number of electrics in use 1905 1913 Chicago .800 4500 Detroit : 200 1800 Denver 100 1100 Growth of Manufacturing; Shorn. This shows an increase worth con sidering, while the following table shows the Increase of manufacturers caused by the demand: In 1905 there were: Babcock. Baker, Waverly, w oods, Rauch & Lang. Co lumbus, Studebaker. In 1911 there are: Babcock, Baker, Waverly. Woods, Ohio, Bailey, Colum bus. Rauch & Lang, standard, Hupp Yeats, Flanders, Ideal, Kimball. De troit. Studebaker. Portland .people are Becoming inter ested in the electric and the Increase in sales has been good the past two years. Quite a few Eastern people who have taken up their residence here have brought their electrics with them from the East and have found ideal condi tions in Portland. The upkeep expense on the new elec trie cars is low, when equipped with solid tires and the latest battery. The public electric garage will make a rate of about $1 per charge and with the new long-distance electrics It is not necessary to re-charge until after the car has been driven 60 or 70 miles, which is about three times as far as the average car is used In a day. This basis would incur an expense of $10 to $12 per month and the car could be kept at the residence garage. However It Is much better and more convenient to Install a charging plant in the resl dence garage. This is automatic in its action and shuts off when the car is charged. The expense of charging by this method averages about 18 per month. The Poulson residence, in the Irvington district, has a complete elec trie garage, where two electrics are housed and charged. The charging plant has been in operation for two years, giving practically no trouble and at a very low expense. There are several of these plants In Portland. Electrics Are Cheaper. The electric has been considerably reduced in price in the past two years. not at the expense of the construction of the car, but because the manufac turers have more experience and can build a car at less cost than formerly. An electric car can now be purchased at a reasonable price and with the low upkeep expense It becomes more of an Investment than a luxury. The electrlo broughan is the Ideal car for all-year use. In the Summer all windows can be opened, allowing plenty of air, and In the winter with the win dows closed it is as comfortable as the living-room. No one knows the real value of an electric until they own one of the modern makes. A garage man has remarked that one of his patrons drove her electric 15,000 miles In the past 18 months and there was real trouble If the car was out of commis sion for a day. This is a Portland woman, too. ONE MODEL PLAN BEST AGENT SATS IT HELPS OWXER AXD DEALER ALIKE. Concentration of Effort on Single Machine Minimizes Cost of Production and TTpkeep. Concentration of effort on the pro duction of one model has figured large ly in the success of manufacturers of popular-priced and medium-priced automobiles. Announcements made by several of the leading makers show that the tendency toward this idea is growing more and more pronounced. Keen competition In tne automobile field has caused the manufacturers to strain every point to minimize the cost of production and facilitate the mar keting and maintenance of their prod ucts. To this end they are hitting on the "one-model" plan. The logic of producing only one model is apparent to ail who are famil- This is just the season of the year when motoring can be enjoyed to its fullest extent And the car that will give you this motor enjoyment unhaunted by doubt, misgivings or the bogey of high upkeep cost, is the Studebaker "20." You can buy a Studebaker "20" blind fold. The name has been a synonym for quality for over 60 years and eliminates any element of chance. The quality of the Studebaker "20" is equal to that of any car made, irrespec tive of prica We know, because every part of Studebaker cars is manufactured in our own plants guaranteeing to us what we guarantee to you. The good appearance of your car is another essential to motor enjoyment Note the just pride that every Stude baker owner takes in the style and good looks of his car. You can always pick a Studebaker. Beauty and mechanical perfection distinguish them. The Studebaker system includes the largest and best equipped factories in the world. Hundreds of automatic machines manufacture parts for Studebaker cars with superhuman exactness and at low est cost. A corps of engineers and inspectors direct the work of 10,000 skilled mechanics. Because of our enormously increased factory facilities made necessary to cope with the constantly growing demand for Studebaker cars, we are now in position to make prompt deliveries. 75,000 Studebaker cars in use with every owner satisfied, are convincing proof of Studebaker supremacy. This is the Car You Want The $800 Studebaker (Flanders) "20" ( Price, Standard Equipped $800 t. o. b. Detroit. Equipped,' aa above, with Top, Windshield, Preat-O-Lito Tank and Speedometers $883. Let us give you a demonstration. Take a ride in a car that is not a luxury but a healthful form of pleasure that cannot be equaled in any other -way at several times the cost We are ready to serve you. Ask our dealer for the new Studebaker art catalogue or send to 00 for tl THE STUDEBAKER CORPORATION - - - DETROIT, MICHIGAN OREGON , Portland, Studebaker Corporation of America Salem E. M. F. Motor Sales Co. Forest Grove Goff Brothers. Aurora F. t. Miller. Hillsboro Wilkes Auto & Garage Co. . Ne-wbeig L. E. Baughmau. Yamhill F. L. TrullingeE WASHINGTON Ridgefield A. N. Allen. Vancouver Clement & Moss. Kelso F. W. McKenney. lar with the motor car Industry," said F. W. Vogler, Northwest agent for the Reo, Apperson and Little cars, In dls cusslnit this subject the other day. "It eliminates a world of complicated ma chinery, makes the buying of material easier and cheaper, and brings to a minimum In more ways than one the cost of running the factory. 'It Is the dealers who benefit most by this clan. They do not need to carry several stocks of different parts complete sets lor each moaei ana they are better able to render adequate service to their customers. This Is a big point In their advantage, more so than most people realize. since ine question of service replacing parts quickly has become an important fac tor In the business, the dealer who can render the best service Is the one who will eventually have the highest in crease in sales, provided, of course, he handles a good car. The lewer tne parts he Is forced to carry, the more asily he can give gooa service. Delve into the history 01 tne suc cess of the biggest automobile manu facturer the world has ana you will find that one of the most important factors In his great success has been his concentration on one model. Thus It has been with the Reo. The Reo Motor Car Company manufactures but ne model the color, the equipment. the construction on each Is Identically the same. rhi. nf rnmrinsr different mod els, with different colors and body de- slgns. Is unwise In the long run, I think. As soon as a prospective pur chaser finds out that the ear the dealer Is agent for Is made in only one color and one design, he will become recon ciled to that fact. Given a wide va riety to choose from, he will ponder and fret and always want to see' the particular model the dealer doesn't have In stock. s "My experience has been that It Is easier to get results with the 'one model' car. The sales organization, by concentrating efforts on that one car, will bring much-better results.. Eventu ally, I believe, all makers of popular priced and medium-priced machines will come to this method." HOXEST MAXWELL MEN FOTTND Owners "Refuse to Cheat in Order to Get Gold Medal. Diogenes' search for an honest man would be cut short if the 60.000 Mile Maxwell Motor Club existed In his time. No less than 20 candidates for the club made oath of a mileage just un der 50,000 and received silver medals, when a few miles more would have gained solid gold medals for them. However, It, Is said that nonesty la Its own reward, and In this case the proverb holds true. All have received sliver medals and in a few weeks they will get the gold medals, too. OAKLAND OREGON DISTRIBUTORS Main 75 Phones A. 4655 PACIFIC MOTORS CO. 632 Washington Street Mil a mi oma- LH iiiu. 11 111111 wrnii jsyBMiL.ii min i I if Federal Tires are recog nized by automobilists who know as the tires of "Extra Service." Their, exceptional endurance, and the unusual service thejr render are due . to their high quality. Federal Tires are the tires you should select because of the extra service they de liver. The additional miles they give will materially re duce your tire expense. Ask to see Federal Tires their superiority will be ap parent. In all types, for all standard rim . WEST COAST SUPPLY CO, Distributers, 31-33 North Seventh St.
