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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1917)
.8 THE SUNDAY OliEGONIAN, PORTLAND. DECEMBER 16, 1917, AUTO LIGHTS ARE VEXING PROBLEM iThey Must Not Be Too Bright, Nor Yet Too Dim, Either One Being Dangerous. SAFE LIGHT HAPPY MEDIUM farry P. Coffin, Portland Commis sioner of Public Safety, .Dis V cusses Question and Tells of the Scientific Remedy. BY HARRY P. COFFTV. Chairman Portland Public Safety Com mission. Too bright or not bright enough? a timely query in your editorial column of December 6, an interesting and vital subject today before the automdbilist. Much thought has been given by auto mobile and illuminating engineers to produce a satisfactory light equipment which will In every way conform to the laws on the subject. A large number of the accidents at night are due to two causes glaring lights and insufficient illumination or dimmed lights, both equally dangerous. The laws of most of our states provide that headlights must be so shaded as not to blind or dazzle the eyes of other users of the highways and streets, but further provide that mere must De sur ficient Illumination so as to reveal a person, vehicle or substantial object in the roadway in a given distance ahead and on the sides. It is not necessary to call to the at tention of the careful driver the dan ger lurking in the path of the oncom ing glaring light, especially if he is en deavoring to comply with the legal re quirements in obviating this hazard, thus placing himself at a beivlidering disadvantage. From the large number of arrests that have been made recently for glaring headlights it is apparent a remediable condition exists In the en lightening of these violators as to the requirements. This applies as well to the users of dimmed lights, the so-called sidelights or the regular headlights used with small-candlepower . lamps. Glaring Light Defined. The majority of drivers of motor cars desire to comply with the headlight regulations. Large numbers daily seek information at the office of the Public Safety Commission "to keep them out of court," and the writer is very glad of the opportunity opened up by your Just query to Inform the motorists through your columns. What is a glaring light? Laymen differ upon this subject; their eyes, their temperament, are not in accord. It is a debatable question with scien tists. There is a lack of uniformity in the laws ef the several states. Condi tions, however, both atmospheric and local, together with the normal or di lated state of the drivers' eyes, govern, but the nearest and most satisfactory answer to this question is: "A headlight -will not be considered glaring when the surroundings of the headlight can be seen unaccompanied by a halo, and the driver can look at the approaching car and clearly see ob jects between it and himself." To overcome the glaring light, a great number of drivers have gone to the other extreme in operating with dimmed lights of not sufficient illumin ation to "pick up" an object 100 feet away. Now what Is a safe driving light? Attention is called to an extract from a voluminous report on this subject by a committee of eminent specialists of the Society of Automobile Engineers, as iollowB: Headlight Problem XHwnsaed. Wkat constitutes the modern headlight T In general thla la a. parabolic mirror In which la mounted an Incandescent bulb In fiuch a manner that the filament coincidea with the focal point of the parabola. If the mirror presents a perfect parabolic surface, and if the filament be a point, and if this point source of light coincidea with the focal point of the parabola, then we will get a round shaft of light made up of parallel rays. But none of theae conditions are truly fulfilled. In the first place, true parabolic surfaces are difficult to manufacture and maintain. Second, the Incandescent fila ment covers a considerable area, and hence It Is Impossible to have the whole of it oc cupy the focal point of the parabola. The effect of those portions lying outside this point is to give rise to "scattering" rays, .which are thrown forward in a cone or se ries of cones surrounding the central beam of parallel light. Third, very few bulba are in even approximate focus. The bulb an choring device is generally equipped with some means for adjusting this focus, but very few drivers know how to manipulate this adjustment, with the result that the great majority of headlights throw a conical beam of light Instead of a concentrated par allel bunch of rays. This cone of light will result from having the filament either in front of or behind the focal point of the mirror. Kow, glare or dazzle results from too high a brilliancy in a source of light; that Is, an Intensity of ijlumtnation per unit of illumi nating area so great as to shock the nerves ef the retina or cause an undue persistence of image. Since the amount of light enter ing tha retina is not only dependent upon the Intensity of the source, but also upon the opening of the iris. -it is evident, that the effect of a headlight will be greatly magni fied in country driving, since the iris of a driver's eye is much dilated under normal circumstances at night.- The flash ot an oncoming headlight m?ating the dilated eye of a driver has therefore a highly magnified effect by what mitfht be called contrast. If we can find a method of avoiding the effects of glare under the worst conditions f country driving, we have thereby estab lished a means of certainly avoiding trou blesome glare in cities, where stationery il lumination cuts down the contrast. Dimmers Not Satisfactory. Methods of ameliorating the glare evil fall roughly under two heads: First, cutting down the unit Intensity of the source of light leaving the head lamp; and, second, proper direction of the rays emanating from the source of light. The use of dimmers, trans lucent screens and partial shading are sug gested to overcome this difficulty. Hastily, we find the practice of dimming headlights by the Introduction of external resistance has almost universallly been found unsatis factory; the light still remaining in the focal point of the mirror gives rise to a more. or less pronounced glaring effect, de pending upon how severely the- filament Is dimmed. The sudden change of illumination from bright to very dull when turning, out in country driving has the result of robbing the driver of all useful Illumination for driv ing purpoaea. The use of screens cuts down the driving Illumination Just when it Is needed most. They do, however, generally furnish suf ficient illumination for city driving and sometimes give a very pleasing light for such conditions. It is found by experience that users of screened lights Install bulbs of higher and higher candle power until in some cases the intensity of even the partially obstructed light becomes glaring. Now a satisfactory permanent Installation consists in focusing the light as well as pos sible, and In this connection It -should be noted that the use of the new nitrogen filled bulbs. In which the filament is bunched In the smallest possible area, very materially aids ih approximating a true shaft of light, .after proper focusing the headlights should be bent downward so that the light pro jected from the reflector shall not rise high er than 42 Inches above the level surface on which the car stands to the center of the lamp. These recommendations are simple, require no expensive alterations and additions. The glaring rays are directed onto the road and not into the eyes of the driver. The final recommendation of .these engineers, so-eminentl - fitted to Judge of its efficacy, form a part of our law and are Incorporated in the city ordi nances. In . order that its provisions may be thoroughly understood and the glaring light eliminated and yet a proper driving light provided, a refer ence to the sketch may assist the au tomobilist to that end. By tilting the headlights (A) so that the direct or center rays of light strlk- the ground on -..i even surface 75 feet in advance of the auto (B), it throws the dazzling light down and away from the eyes of the driver of the oncoming vehicle. This can be accom plished simply by drawing a black mark 42 Inches high on the side of a ga rage or other building, backing the auto away on an even surface just 60 feet and centering the concentrated beam of light upon this black mark. This same condition may be arrived at in the proper use of mechanical dim rr ers which bend the rays to conform with the requirements, but unless the lamps are properly focused trouble is likely to ensue as well as the use of too large a candlepower lamp, or so called nitrogen bulbs.' . The writer trusts that-he' has made it plain to the readers of The Oregonian Just what is required; that It is the safe driving light that-we are aiming for;-a happy medium between the penetrating, bewildering, glaring light and the dimmed light so dangerous to-the" other' users of the road. Cyclists) to Have Smokes. The Federation of American Motor cyclists, through President F. A. Falor and Secretary T. R. Thomas. are putting Into prac- ROADS VERY POOR Auto Travel Through Central Oregon Hard Since Rain. 0LDSM0BILE STANDS TEST Mr. and 31 rs.' 3. R. Kunamaker of Hood River Motor In New Car to Berkeley, Cal., In Eight Days, but Advise Against - Trip.' HOOD RIVER, Or.. Dec. 15. (Spe cial.) "Don't come in a car," is the message of J. R. Nunamaker. member of the Apple Association directorate and -enthusiastic motorist, who, . with Mrs. Nunamaker arrived last week in Berkeley. Cal., after eight day" of touring from here.' "We are now safely here and are not one bit sorry that we came overland," writes Mrs. Nunamaker to J. W. An derson, , Hood River agent of the Olds mobile Company, from whom they to Long Beach, Cal. Mr. Hawes said: "We had a fine trip here. A car has never been fully tested until It has gone across the desert. We went through sand for miles -so deep that the. axles dragged. We passed many cars hopelessly stuck. Not once did we get into low gear. We climbed three summits, 6400, 7800 and 8200, re spectively, all on a very hot day, and yet I used but a gallon and a half of water In the entire trip. The water never approached the boiling point- I averaged 19 miles per gallon of gas for 1777 miles; 148 miles per quart of oil. and never touched the motor or car with a tool or any sort." This tells the story of the modern car efficient even to the smallest bolt or nut; almost perfect in the workman-, ship and material which enters into Its makeup. . ROAD TO ABERDEEN IS GOOD W. "W. Seely Makes Good Time From Central! to Pacific Beach. W. W. Seely, of Portland, drove from Portland to Aberdeen, Wash., a week ago in his Oakland car. He found the road from Centrajla to Aberdeen on the coast actually better than portions of the .Pacific Highway between here; and Centralis- "Conditions on the Pacific Highway between Portland and Olequa ferry were very bad in places, with chuck- holes," writes Mr. Seely In a letter to xne automobile editor. "Across the ferry, from there to Centralis, the road was good. "From Centralia to Pacific Beach we had fine graveled roads for the whole WHITE OWNER BUYS ANOTHER WHITE. p. i s m i - - . ' v ' ' " - - liiii' - - T -.v-..- - - ,. ::.,..iJ.jait:..j'....-yiw:,.,:..; 4 ir -F-J.SI.IJ. - . rHACL AMI Ills 11 WUllu; l-VALiVfc: FOLK. R. F. Prael Is enjoying Winter motoring over the various highways in his new White 16-valve four Just purchased from C W. Cornell, manager of the White Company's Portland branch. Mr. Prael has been a consistent White man ever since he took to the delights of motoring. His first car, a White "30 " was purchased in 1910; later he acquired a White "40," and now he revels in the latest masterpiece of 'white engineering, the handsome and luxurious 16-valve four. tlce extensive plans to help make life easier for F. A. M. members In the trenches and camps. both here and abroad. It is planned to furnish the riders with tobacco and general motor cycle news from the states. Several men formerly well known In the mo torcycle Industry and now officers have been appointed to look after the requirements of members. New Car Owners in County. Temporary police licenses were Is sued in Portland last week to the fol lowing buyers of latest model motor cars, pending arrival of the official state licenses from Salem. The list is compiled by M. O. Wilklns, publisher of the Automobile Record: Steve Duemovlch, 264 Taylor, ford. J. A. Byerly, 625 Thompson, Oldsmoblle. Chester G. Hall, 1374 Greeley, Dodge. James G. Kelly, box S31 Portland, Ford. H. G. Burrows. 681 East Eighth street. Ford. Charles Crulkshank. Kendall station. Studebaker. Dr. K. Nenbauer, 1161 Belmont, Codes. I. N. Hnrtiock, 1331 Campbell, Chevrolet. R. H. Bradley, 424 East Davis. Ford. Mary M Knnls, 815 East Thirtieth. North. KisselKar. ' v George A. Perret, S42 East Thirty-sixth street. Ford. United Brokerage Company, 208 Alder street, Nash. A. P. SeKeyser. 202 Columbia building, Oakland. J. S. Burdette, 6303 Ninety-second street Southeast, Ford. Adolph etalger. 828 Rolladay, Ford. J. T. Farley, 81 Second, Ford. David Seddon, 629 East Forty-ninth North. Dodge. C. O. Kabe, 272 Everett. Ford. City ot Portland. Water Department, Ford. Oity f Portland. Water Department. Ford. John Hoffmeister, Boring, Or, Route 8, Ford. Morris A. Goldstein. 501 Northwestern Bank building. Bulck. George Janow, Tualatin. Or., Ford. Charles Galbln. 712 Washington, Over land. J. L. Brockman, 1397 East Bnrnslde, Ford. Lillian A. Sauvle, 12C3 Williams avenue, Studebaker. K. D. Allen, 763 Bast Burnslde, Stude baker. . - . J. C. King, 1000 Corbett building. Olds mobile. " Union Oil Company, 611 Teon building. Ford. .... M. H. Carter, 1S85H Peninsula, Chalmers. N. R. Lelllg. 1029 South Ivanhoe. Ford. W. F. Pillster, 6230 Eighty-second street. Ford. Minnie C. Slevera," 849 Morris. Mitchell. K V. Smith. 6809 Fifty-eighth avenue Southeast, Ford. J. W. Sevier, Jr.. 15 9S Elmore street, Hud son. A. a. Rlddell. 21 Bast Third, Baynes. George Seymour, 841 Patton road. Bulck. Dr. J. H. McSloy, .ents, Elgin. W. H. Beevy, 605 East Twenty-ninth street. Mitchell. Arthur Benidge," 619 Worcester building. Studebaker. L. D. Hunter, 107 Second street. Chand ler. E. W. Findley. 128 Grove street. Chevrolet. Sharff A Dubleren, 849 Morrison, Ford. M. D. Spencer, 64 First, Dodge. Charlie Wing, 919 Montana avenue. Ford. . G. Gulllckaon. 70S Front street. Ford. L. Roy. 252 Seventeenth street. Ford. G. V. Hayes, Wilcox building. Nash. John N. Sharp. 614 Alder street. Mets. Herman Hansen. 727 East Seventy-eighth street North, Ford. W. H. Read. 1409 East Lincoln. Buick. Inman-Poulsen -Lumber Company, Port land. Or., Ford. Lois H. Sherman. 570 E. Main. Chevrolet. Rachel Morgan, 855 East Eighth North, Ford. E. S. Wilkey. Falrview, Chevrolet. Mrs. Charles M. Goodman. 1214 East Flan ders, Ford. E. C. Hayden, 170 U Second, Ford. Shell Oil Company of California, 446 Plt tock block. Ford. Opera-House Laundry, 243 Everett, Ford. D. Keenow, 615 East Morrison, Ford. City Dairy. 653 Second street. Ford. The New York Hotel Men's Associa tion at a recent dinner contributed 12000 to the T. M. C. A. war fund. bought their -touring car especially for the southern tour. "But It was a mighty hard trip, due to the heavy rains. "We are proud of our car, for it cer tainly had a hard test and proved Itself splendid. . We don't advise you to drive over, however, for the roads are In a terrible condition now since it rained. We are awaiting a visit from our aon, Neal. a student at the University of California, who is also eager to give the car a trial." Mrs. Nunamaker sent to Mr. Ander son a log of the trip, which was made in Central Oregon. On the first day 100 miles was traveled to Shaniko, the itin erary including The Dalles. Dufur, Kingsley, Tygh Valley, Maupln and Bake Oven. Mrs. Nunamaker made the note that the roads as far as Dufur were good but slightly slippery. The remainder of the log is as fol lows: "Second day Antelope, Gateway, Ma dras, Metolius, Culver, Opal City, Ter rebone, Redmond, Laidlaw and Bend, 84.5 miles. ' Roads out of Shaniko very slippery after the least rainfall. Roads rough from Redmond to Bend. "Third day Crescent, 61 miles. First 15 miles very rough and muddy. For the rest of the way the roads were not so muddy, but we almost had to swim. All the way through timber, with very few farmhouses. "Fourth day Klamath Falls, 108 miles. For 75 miles we traveled through timber. It had been raining for two or three days and the roads were terrible. Bo far we have had no good weather. "Fifth day Treks, Cat. about '70 miles. The first 40 miles were terrible: we got stuck In adobe mud, but man aged to get out. "Sixth day Gazette, Edgewood. Sis son, Dunsmuir. The roads were very good. "Seventh day Redding, Red Bluff. Corning, Williams. Roads bad. "Eighth day Davis, Fairfield, Benl cia and Oakland, making a total of 830 miles." VELIE CROSSES DESERT ra5cher gives hew six service: test. ' REAL Through Sand; and Over HlaJi Moun tains ob Hat Day Car Averages) 19 Miles to Gallon of Gas. The prevailing Idea seems to be that the automobile builder has about reached the limit of bis genius and as a consequence new cars represent but little more than a change in body lines here and there, with little or no ac tual increase In merit. Such is far from the truth. One may uncover in the announcement of new models many details which show in themselves results of much thought along lines of economy in operation, comfort, convenience and safety. The . Velle company recently an nounced nine new . body styles, all mounted . on the well-known Velie "Biltwel" six chassis, each, perfectly appointed and finished as might be ex pected. A simple explanation that there were . incorporated certain minor mechanical improvements inspired curi osity as to what might be the result obtained. The answer Is best given by an ex tract from- a letter received by the Velie dealer in Great Falls, Mont., from a rancher, J. r. Hawes. who drove one of the new Velle sixes from Great Falls SKETCH ILLUSTRATES PROPER ADJUSTMENT OF AUTO LAMPS TO GIVE SAFE DRIVING LIGHT. . , - By tilting the headlights (A) so that the direct or center rays "of light strike the ground on an even surface 75 feet in advance of the auto (B) throws the dazzling light down and away from the eyes of the driver of the oncoming vehicle. v distance on. the Olymplo Highway. We had good luck and made good time. Didn't use the chains all the way, so you can judge for yourself." H. M. COVEY EMPLOYES FEAST Mr. Covey Entertains i,n Honor of Men Going to the Front. The employes of the Covey Motor Car company were entertained by H. M. Covey at the Multnomah Hotel last Monday evening at a banquet in honor of E. Banks Mortimer, Lloyd Ellis, John nie and Carl Peterson, who have joined the Aviation Corps and will leave for the training camp in Texas in the very near future. Mr. Covey expressed his regret at losing the boys from his organization and yet spoke with pleasure of the patriotic spirit displayed by them in voluntarily offering their services to their country. "Bill" Rodgers. the peppery second baseman of the Bea vers, who is now devoting his time in the automobile game, proved to the gathering that he could put as much pep into a little talk to his departing comrades as he could In a baseball game. He commended the recruits on their spirit of patriotism and suggested that they enter the war with but one determination, to win, to kill the enemy where they find them and leave them where they fall. In other words. Bill is confident that there is going to be a battle, that the boys are going to return and, with Mr. Crittenden's as surance, will be welcomed back to re sume their duties as part of the Covey Motor Car Company organization. ELIXQ AT OVERLAXD MEETING Overland-Pacific Manager Here At tends San Francisco Gathering. H. H. Ellng, manager of the Overland-Pacific branch in Portland, went to San Francisco early In the week to attend a conference there of all Willys Overland branch managers on the Coast. The conference was called by Frank C. Riggs, Western Division Man ager for Willys-Overland. One purpose of the meeting, which began Friday, is understood to have been to outline policies for the coming year. Mr. Eling may be absent several days longer. TIRE PRICES "BEACONS" A New Tire in Oregon. 30x3 - 30x3 'j 32x3 Vt 31x4 33x4 34x4 33x5 NON-NON-NON-NON-NON-NON-NON- SKID, SKID, SKID, SKID, SKID, SKID, SKID, $13.70 $16.45 $19.25 $25.20 $26.85 $27.60 $44.35 Other Sizes in Proportion Guaranteed' 3500 Miles. Large Assortment, All Sizes. Standard Makes Cases and Tubes. Goods Shipped to All Points C. O. D., Etc Prices Subject to Change With out Notice. . , MalcomTire Co, Distributors for AUTOMOBILE TIRE CO., INC 82 N. Broadway, Portland, Or. The Oldest and Largest Auto Tire Jobbing House in the U. S. Call or Write. - ostA-rn- ij roS5lEo',, r " OfMsMoV SAN DIEOO Wt OriffrMf Mm n, Habit of Ha lALLtYEAR. Oar- For Christmas! HERE are two gifts in one an open car a closed coach. It fits any time any season any weather. THE ALL-YEAR Top is built-in, not on no visible fastenings no rattles. It is I entirely removable. ... ' For the New Year! ; For 1918 and years to come this car of a Hun- dred Quality Features will prove of - unlimited x service to every member of your household- an efficiency producer and time economizer a health creator and happiness expander. Greetings ' of the season are extended you from our officials, sales men, technical experts, service men and employes. As in 1917, so in 1918, we will continue to give you the best in us. Don't delay ordering for early delivery. Open Car S1295 up f. ALL-YEAR Models 91735 up. o. b. factory. PACIFIC KISSELKAR BRANCH W. T HITGHSOKT. President. -PORTLAND BRANCH. T.arsreat Motor Car Dealers on the Coaat With Branches at SEATTLE, LOS A.NGELE9, OAKLAND, FRESNO, SAN DIEGO, SAN FRANCISCO. AUTO IS BROAD JUMPER RECORD OF . 79 1-3 FEET SET BY STUDEBAKER IN CALIFORNIA. Though Test la Severe One, It la Not ao Hock aa Resmlar Testa Hade at Factory. "When one of our dealers out In a email Kansas town, sent us word that he had originated a new and startling test to convince prospects of the staunch construction ' of Studebaker cars, w were, of course, interested In the event," says R. T. Hodgrkins, general sales manager of the Stude baker Corporation. "We found that he had built a platform in the middle of a stret. over which he drove a series 18 stock Studebaker at express train speed. As the car left the Incline It leaped through the air for 54 feet, striking with tremendous force on all four wheels. "This test to which the Kansas dealer subjected our cars, severe as it was. did not impress us so very much. Of course we congratulated the ' dealer upon his ingenuity but we let it go at that. "Later another Studebaker dealer In San Luis Obispo, Cal., hearing of the jumping stunt, decided to stage one of his own. His method of conducting the event was practically the same as that used by the Kansas dealer, .with a record-breaking crowd lined up on both sides of the street to witness the spec tacular leap. Taking the incline at a mile-a-mlnute speed, the driver of this Studebaker shot his car through space for a distance of 79 feet 4 inches. Then, amid the cheers of the hundreds who had gathered to witness this demon stration of Studebaker sturdlness, the car came to a halt for the rigid inspec tion of these "doubting Thomases," who expected to see it crumple up when it bad struck the pavement with such terrific force. "Not a particle of damage was suf fered by the Studebaker in either of these jumps not a bolt loosened and not a single piece of mechanism out of place. No adjustments were made of any kind, either before or ofter the plunge through space. "Even after this sensational test we did not think it of .enough importance to igive it National publicity. Not be cause we thought it of no account we realized the great strain such a jump put upon the chassis and every moving part of the car, but more because of the fact that we put our chassis through a test before they leave the factory that is the most thorough and exacting possible to make. Perhaps you will re call the pictures of the Studebaker car being bumped over two high obstruc tions, hour after hour, that recently appeared in many of the papers of the country. Such a test as this is far more punishing than a score of flying leaps through the air. "Now, since the same Idea has been appropriated by .other manufacturers, we have come to realize the value of such a demonstration. The Studebaker dealer at Salina. Kan., originator of the spectacular stunt, naturally feels flat tered to know that his Ingenuity has been recognized by others. Then, too, he is pleased to know that the Stude baker dealer at San Luis Obispo, Cal., still holds the world's record with a jump of 79 feet 4 inches the nearest approach to his record being a jump of 73 feet." The clutch pedal of the Ford, car oc casionally refuses to spring back after it has been pressed forward firmly. This is due to binding and may be rem edied by screwing and adjusting screw on the opposite end of the pedal shaft a turn or two. Formvl-lruch. t r rf. . h 3 i ,"'- a w r r n . r n l ou v,an i Duy u Favorable Opinion Read this letter from C. M. Olsen Transfer & Storage Co., one of the many satisfied Smith Form-a-Truck users here in Port land, t Get the same economy of time and money in your own hauling and de livery. - BALLOU & JWRIGHT Distributers Broadway at Oak Tuesday, Dec. 11, 1917. Ballou & Wright, Portland, Oregon. Gentlemen : About last April we purchased a Smith Form-a-Truck from you which has been in daily operation from the day that we first began using it. We have found it to be very eco nomical in operation, and by using such a truck we find that we are able to handle much light work profitably, which we could not have done with our heavier equipment. We know that we cannot get along without it, and do not know how we did get along without it as long as we did. Very truly yours, C. M. OLSEN TRANSFER & STORAGE CO. By Charles W. Olsen. I ail I Mill "! I I JSJ I .I,. RANSFER ' . VMM " -. iBtthi i j iijiii WW imiim swmm 'risssfi msho t' - isswiisihi i it imo slisH t