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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (June 13, 1920)
THE SUNDAY OREGOXTAX. PORTLAND. JUNE 13, 1920 -- . 4 ro BRITISH IN FEAR OF AMERICAN IWIOfJ London Times Expert Writes of the Situation. DANGER REAL, HE SAYS American Cars Arc Declared to Compare With Rrlll5.l1; King Kiglit l-Kev lowed in Detail. LONDON-, Kng. In the days before the war the American motor car was Scncrully Riven the benefit of the doulit. That is to say that, in com paring it with British. French, or cth-r Kuropean makes its own origin provided it with at least half an excuse for any shortcomings. The first American cars to reach this country were, in truth, so very in different. As time went on, and America learned a few lessons from Kurope in motor construction, Ameri can cars brgan to take a more or leas recognized place among the cars of the world. Then they became sur prisingly better; but they were still a Inns way behind their Kuropean rivals, except In the matter of first cost, writes "Motoring Correspondent" in the Uondon Times After about the year 1912 they took a sudden jump forward. Cars arrived in the British Isles, in the colonies and in France, which showed a con piderable advance on anything: the factories in letroit, Toledo and Cleve land had previously produced. They were able, in a certain degree, to com pete with the best Kuropean makes. Still they were not really so sood. There was nearly always something lacking- in either design, construction or performance. They were very often what is called "soft." Such softness would have never been condoned in a Kuropean car of the same class, but because it came from America the machine's shortcomings (sometimes important, sometimes quite minor in character) were dismissed with the explanation, "Oh, well American, you know; not quite the same as the biff makes over here. Young industry." Ileal American Invasion. "VN'e are today faced with a real ilv. American invasion. As it was ex plained in an article in this column j"...' last M-eck, the pioneers of the invad ' ing army are upon us. They are not. ' . .' as so many of them were in a previ ous half-hearted attempt to invade us, ".. a score of different makes cheap, V" 1 nasty and unwanted in their own r-, country. They are drawn from the '.:'. motor ranks which correspond to our own best-known firms. There are not very many of them yet. But they come, of America's best stock. In a way It is a compliment. The Anieri i - can manufacturer has evidently real-J;'--, ized that he cannot hope to capture 1 'he British or any other educated market with rubbish such as he sent over a few years before the war. He is sendintr forward ' the guards the .v-' P'cli f hiH factories; and though there may he only a half-dozen makes engaged, there are plenty, of cars to sell. One historic American firm has v :; 100 completed cars specially ear : marked for the London agency, ready for immediate embarkation. Others are receiving ears regularly every '. ' month or oflcner. It is real business and no bluff. What chances have these redoubt '';V; able vehicles against our own? They V- have a fairly formidable fight before them. It is true that they can be had almost immed iiftely, and without ex-ii-l orbitant premium; but their prices are . nearly as high as most of our best . - cars of the same class. If they come up to expectations they will prove a ... grave danger to our industry. Writer Illsjoect kitic. . If they fail t make a good showing ".-. we ni ust still go short on cars but ' the British motor industry will sur- :: Vive. It is proposed to discuss a few of the latest arrivals in the Times. The time is now past for excuses on the grounds of nationality. . The first car on the list is the eight -cylinder King. This is a power ful touring car, costing more than llltio as sctld here. As prices seem to "'Shave increased, on an average, over 100 per cent, it competes, therefore, with thp kind of Kritish car which used to cost between 450 and 600 before the war. I have taken this car over two separate runs, with an inter val of a few weeks, an arrangement V which enables one to get a better Idea of the car's capabilities than a single -trial. The eight cylinders of the engine, which have a bore and stroke of 76x 1J7 millimeters, are set in the usual V" fashion. 1 am not enamored of this arrangement, principally on the score of inaccessibility. It renders simple operations like the changing of a valve spring decidedly onerous.") it is. however, the orthodox method of setting up an eight -cyl indered en ffine. and. whatever its faults, must be accepted as standard. The King engine is no greater sin ner on the question of accessibility than any other. In fact, pains have evidently been taken to make the owner's duties as light as possible. There is the usual three-speed gear box, centrally controlled. The brakes, which work on the rear wheel drums. are powerful and smooth in action. There is plenty of life in this car. Certain mult i-cy lindered cars, while displaying, as they ought, a consider able degree of flexibility, often lack real "fire." It is a patent fact that it took the makers of the earlier six cylinder cars far longer to reach a de cent level of liveliness than it did any maker of a four-cylinder. The King, however, showed itself pleasantly responsive. It accelerates with very great rapidity and holds high speeds with ease. A feature of the throttle control is that there is a 'normal" range and an "extra" range. "ou depress the pedal to a certain point, which suffices for all ordinary driving. If a sudden effort is needed, a call for big power, further pressure beyond the 'normal" stop sends the car forward with refreshing "ginger." Illll t limbing Trained. The hill climbing Is very good. Any ordinarily steep hill, with a gradient not exceeding one in six. can be taken comfortably on second gear. Any hill with a gradient of one in ten or under an bo climbed on top gear without straining the engine. Ordinary traffic can be traversed easily on top gear. On either gear, with open throttle, the engine makes very little noise. It is well balanced and no noticeable vibration period could be detected. The suspension is fairly satisfac tory. The car's running would be im proved by the fitting of hydraulic shock absorbers. It holds the road well, and, if necessary, fast cornering can be safely attempted. One does not often want td do this, but in climbing easy wjnding slopes it is pleasant to-know'that one can swing round the benos without throttling. ncidentally, this steadiness means tire economy. The coachwork is particularly good. hiffh up for British taste and the pas sengers are exposed to searching winds. In the King: the accommoda tion is nearly Kuropean in comfort. The finish is (rood throughout and the general appearance of the car is pleasing-. The comfort of the owner driver is seen to In a variety of minor directions, notably In the. provision of an excellent inspection lamp, which is housed in the back of the front eeats. and which can be carried to any point of the car. There is also a fitting which should form a part of every properly appointed car an engine driven tire pump, forming- part of the chassis plan, and not added as an extra. . The usual dashboard instru ments are provided, and are of excel lent quality. There is, of course, an electric engine starter. The hood, when all side curtains are fastened, turns the car into a temporarily closed body. As prices go nowadays, the King should be good value. It appears to be a solid, well-designed and soundly constructed car. It is fast and smooth running, it is easy to drive and it looks atractive. It is ratedat 28-horse-power, but it plainly develops considerably more. It is a car which must bo seriously considered as k rival to our, own in the same cate gory. MoKcnzie Hihgway Improved. EUGENE, Or.. June 12. (Special.) The work of macadamizing 3200 feet of the AlcKenzie river highway WHITE TRUCK CARRYING if Thin five-ton W bite track, recently nilded to the fleet of the Jone Lumber eompnny, in equipped with double rnlliv mo that, if dcHlred. tvro loads mar he carried and unloaded at separate places (or at different . parts of the same job. Thus (no orders may be delivered at widely separated parts of the etty without returning; to the mill to load, a savins In time and mileage. Stationary center standards permit both sides or the load to be serured. As will be noted by the picture, the load Is wide and low. Loading; Is quickly handled at the Jones plant by means of a derrick. near the Deerhorn school house, 20 miles east of Eugene, has been started by Supervisor Culver. This is the roughest spot on the highway until the upper river is reached, and the improvement will be welcomed by the thousands of motorists who drive up the river every summer. SCORE FIRMS GIVE CARS SIIHIXE OFFICERS TO TRAVEL IX HIGH-POWER VEIUCLLS. Sevcti-l'iissenjer Automobiles to Be Used Sight-Seeing Trips Be ing Planned Cars Aceded. More than a score of the big auto mobile dealers of the city have do nated big seven-passenger cars for the use of the inH.erian di'an of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Myotic Shrine, who will arrive in this city Sunday, June 20. and will remain till the Iti session is over, June 24, though some of them may not leave the city until after the itose Festival is over. Those who have donated cars are the Apperson Motor Car' company, Howard Automobile company. Covey Motor Car company. Twin Stales Mo tor Car company. Northwest Automo bile company. Interstate Motors com pany, Braly Automobile company. Mc intosh Motor Car company; Mitchell, LewtS & Staver; Oldsmobile Company cf Oregon, Cook & Gill, D. C. Warren company, Obye Motor Car company, Oregon Motor Car company, and the Winton company. It is probable that the Portland .Motor Car company and the Charles Fagin company will donate big cars also if they have any on hand at that time. The automobile dealer has found it t'ifficult to get all the cars he wants to supply a growing dema'nd, but many of the big firms are ceruiin that they willbe able to care for the needs of Ira L. Powers' committee, and Portland car owners are urged to see that the. thousands of visitors who will be here during Shrine week may be abl to view the city and highways in such manner as Mr. Powers' com mittee has arranged. Those who can and will list their autos for the usi of the committee in these sight-seeing trips alcrg the arrow routes a-5 .now laiii out .are asked to call Main 314S or Main 6175 or call in persou at the auto head quarters at Sixth and Yamhill streets. At the Michigan Agricultural col lege there are 50 young Russians registered in the motortractor course. EPUBLIC TRUCK Winners in the "Ship by Truck" Essay Contest 1st Prize Jennfte McClew, Bay City, Oregon. .. $100.00 2d Prize Mabel Johnson, Astoria, Oregon. ..... 50.00 3d Prize Iris Gof f , Sutherlin, Oregon 25.00 4th Prize, Roscoe W. Good, Portland, Oregon. . . . 15.00 5th Prize, Dan H. Bowerman, Fossil, Oregon .... 10.00 6th Prize Truman E. Crocker, Sweet Home, Or. 10.00 These essays have been sent to the Republic Truck Factory to be entered in the National $1000 Scholarship Contest. . Roberts Motor Gar Co., Inc. Vancouver, Wash. " Portland, Or. Boise, Idaho Largest Exclusive Truck Dealers in the Northwest WORK ON ROADS IN HEW YORK HELD UP Return of Norma! Conditions Awaited. OTHER STATES AFFECTED Entire Suspension of AH Xew Con tracts Is Announced Rea sons Are Given. (pregon is not the only state In which changed conditions are playing havoc with plans for state highway construction. The state highway com mission of New York, in a letter to Governor Smith, has announced the entire suspension of all new construc- SHINGLES FOR SOME OF PORTLAND'S NEW HOMES. tion until such time as conditions again become normal or near normal. The conclusions of the state highway commission are of interest here. The highway situation in .New York, as summed up in this letter, is as fol lows; In November, 1319, the New Tork highway commission outlined its con struction policy for 1020. and pub lished a programme of individual roads proposed to be constructed. This programme was based on and with the hope that conditions would not be materially different from those of 1619. In accordance with that published programme, four lettings have been held covering 70 highways, but only 30 acceptable bids, were received, and these lettings showed that there was little or no competition among con tractors. In the last letting of April 15, including 15 new highways, only five acceptable proposals were re ceived. Since then there have been sharp advances in the cost of mate rials. Xew Roads Held Back. After a careful analysis of the sit uation, it is evident that it is not good business or for the best interests of the state to continue the proposed programme, and this commission has determined to withdraw, all roads ad vertised for new construction in the letting of May 5, and wishes to an nounce that there will he no further new roads offered for construction until the situation shows a decided change for the better. Advertisements for maintenance work will be continued and it is pro posed to devote every energy of the department to the completion of ex isting construction contracts and the maintenance and repair of our present road system. The conditions which have forced this commission to defer new con struction are briefly as follows: 1. Shortage and high cost of labor. 2. Shortage of railway'cars and un certainty of transportation. 3. Lack of competition in bidding. 4. Seemingly unjustifiable advance in cost of materials. 5. Commercial quarries restricting output and in some instances closing down. 6. Necessity of assuring, by utiliz ing labor which would otherwise be diverted to New York, the completion of the maintenance programme which because of the present condition of our highways is an economical neces sityTtnd more essential than new con struction. State Mast Go Carefully. 7. The obligation of the state to rotect existing contracts from labor shortage by not offering new work at advanced prices in competition, thus insuring the completion of all exist- Iing contracts. At present there are 1S3 uncompleted active contracts with I approximately S00 miles unfinished. If the policy is pursued of constantly increaslnsr estimates and permitting ft contractors to bid against themselves at ever-increasing prices the same condition would be created that exist ed from 1915 to 1919, when there were broken down and abandoned contracts representing approximately 850 miles of torn-up highways in practically every county in the state. As soon as the conditions mentioned show a change for the better and it is clear that road work can be continued economically and without detriment to the state's interests, the pro gramme for new construction an nounced by this commission for 1920 will beesumed. It is stated in the press that the state of Illinois has decided to post pone for this year highway construc tion for which the people voted a $60,000,000 bond, issue. TWO MILES AVILIj BE GRADED j Road Will Be Made Available for Travel Before Fall. MARSH FIELD, Or., June 8. (Spe cial.) Two miles of highway, the southern end of the North Bend to Hauser county road, will be graded and made available to travel before fall, according to a contract entered into between the county court and a . V. I r . ,nn . ... nt 4n flvm n R i H t - ing of Ira Padrick. Matt Klockars and I Martin Webber. The two miles con tracted for is a difficult portion of M s3 5? Ju "' the work on seven miles laid out by the county court when the $362,000 bond issue was made. The contract ors will be paid about $18,000. The terminus of the road will be at Glasgow, a mile from North Bend, and on the east side of the bay. Traf fic across the bay will for some time be by small gasoline boats and a scow for teams and freight, but eventually a ferry will be provided. The high way was authorized four years ago. ROAD TO TACOMA IS E000 HIGHWAY DETOURS DECLARED SOT ALL BAD. Lawrence E. Tlierkclson Gives Pacific High-way Xorth Clean Bill of Health. The Pacific highway between Port land and Tacoma is now in very good condition, according to Lawrence E. Therkelson, sale. manager for the Braly Auto company, who traveled it last week. He declares it is better than at any time he has been over it in the past two years. "There are a couple of detours, but in dry weather they are no trouble at all," said Mr. Therkelson. "They look as if they would be bad in wet weather, though. "About three miles of new concrete pavement has been laid and is open this aide, of 01yn:pia over the old cobble stone stretch, and another two or three miles is in process of 'set ting.' There is a detour around it, but it is a good detour. "Between Toledo, and Castle Rock, where the going was reported as so bad last winter, there is now nothing to worry any motorist. It is as good as it ever was, an-1 smoother. There was no detour along, this stretch when I passed over it, though some construction work was in progress. "Between Castle Rock and Kelso the road is good. There is one short detour through an orchard that might be mucky in wet weather, but it is very short. From Kalama to Vancou ver the highway was surprisingly good." Tourist Season Well I'nder Way. MISSOULA. Mont.. June 12. The tourist seiMn is well under way. ac cording to indications here. During the first week alter the crenim? of the local offices of the bureau of the Yellowstone trail, 41 cars, carrying a total of 120 passengers, were registered. Xiires aurad A.ccessoiie WEEK JUNE 14-19 Dash and Trouble Lamps A combination dash and trou ble lamp, complete with cord, bulb, fittings, etc. Usual price $2.50. SALE PRICE .$1.47 Dash Lamps Short and long: style, with or without switch; nickel plated. Usual price $1.00. SALE PRICE 58tf Connecticut Switches Push and pull type; hand eome and durable; furnished in one, two, three or four gangs. Usual price (per gang) 40c. ; SALE PRICE ...23 Silver Beam SpotligKts The spotlight de luxe; finest made. Usual price $9.00. SALE PRICE $3.35 Ammeters For testing dry cell batteries, 71 Dash type for showing charge and discharge of your storage battery; accurately calebrated and guaranteed, at $1.53. Spark Plugs (Peerless Giants) Positively guaranteed for one year of service; heavy stone core. Our usual price 90c. SALE PRICE 58 Speedometer Parts FIBER PINION GEAR for Stewarts. Usual price 25c. SALE PRICE ; 11. SWIVEL JOINTS. Usual price $3.50. SALE PRICE $1.68. Portland Seattle Tacoma Spokane 80-82 Backed by Factory Service Policy Scripps-Booth Co. of California Portland Branch 522-26 ALDER AT 16TH BROADWAY 3169 A. 12,000 ' Tire Ka.rga.Ins Standard Makes Fresh Stock Most of wjiich carry full factory guarantee. Tremendous Savings le. Make. "- Lancaster. Clingstone, "K.; S...'.. 80x8 Khman. ribbed Lancaster. N. S., Clingstone Peerless, plain Peerleas. N. S . BOx314 Lancaster. Clingstone, N. S McLean. N. S Peerless, IS". S Khman, ribbed McGraw, plain 82x3 Lancaster. Clingstone. N. S. Khman. .N. S Flsk Cord Capitol. N. S - Standard. NT. S v Quaker. N. S Norwalk, N. S Norwalk Cord 31x4 Lancaster, Clingstone, N. S..... India. N. S Republic StaRgard. Norwalk, N. S.,. J2x4 Lancaster, Clingstone, N. S.. Khman. X. S Fisk mack. N. S Fisk Cord Norwalk, N. S V.... Norwalk Cord Norwalk Cord, ribbed. ; 33m4 Lancaster. Clingstone, N. S... .. Khman, N. S Khmai. ribbed Fisk Cord Quaker. N. S Republic, N. S Norwalk, N. S Norwalk Cord 34x4 Lancaster. Clincstone, N. S Fisk Black, N. S Fisk Cord Norwalk, N. S :...- Norwalk Cord 39.41-4 Fisk. plain rix4'i McGraw, N. S Rowers. ' plain .Federal, plain Federal Cord Norwalk Cord 35x4Vx Lancaster, Clingstone, N. S Fisk Cord Firestone. N. S v Republic Gray, plain Qunker, N. S McGraw, plain Federal, plain Norwalk. N. S t Norwalk Cord 3Ax4lz Quaker. N. S...I Fisk Cord Bowers, plain Norwalk Cord , 33x5 Fisk Gray, plain - 'Republic Staggard Federal, plain Federal Cord Rowers, plain X Norwalk. N S Norwalk Cord 37x5 Quaker, N. S Fitik Gray. NT. S Fisk Red Top. N, S Federal. N. S Federal Cord Republic Staggard Rowers, plain Norwalk, N. S Norwalk Cord ;. AutopartS' Supply Company Sixth Street SCRIPPS-BOOTH motor cars combine fine appearance with reliable per formance. . It is quite natural that this is true. Scripps-Booth engineers are equally concerned with both of these necessary requirements of a' modern motor car. The new Scripps-Booth Six-Cylinder Touring car has a low graceful stream line body fitted with full-die fenders, and a radiator of a new design. The finish and equipment, too, are thoroughly in keeping with the lines. Along with added beauty, there is also added mechanical excellence. The wheel base has been increased to 115" the springs have been lengthened and widened. Throughout the chassis you will observe refinements in keeping with good taste and engineering. I.i.t Fri. Sale Price. 9.75 IO. 6.1 fl.!)S 10.63 lrt.ss I. i.ss 12.45 II. 75 lfi.OS 14.no 33.20 14.25 22.5f 22.30 25.20 39.05 ' 21.06 2S.PS 22.25 2S.52 21.41 . 10.70 20.94 42.17 33. 50.20 4S.37 00 20 2o!85 . 20.35 4 5. SO 2.8.40 20.0S 35.32 52.20 22. SS 30.00 47.09 3.09 54.64 32.15 2.9S 25.4 5 25.45 37.95 53. S5 32.1 S -51.45 35.50 29.35 41. 20 26. 70 26.70 45.1S 54.33 41.64 50.14 27.10 63.32 35.00 39. SO 30.00 4 7.90 20.00 51. OS 75. OH 49.30 40.75 4 7.75 30.00 4 7.90 39. SO 20.00 53.95 78.66 Savin fra. P.7S 10.75 1A.A2 t..in S.G2 13J!7 7.05 7.7 1 2.22 IO.H.1 16.07 16.15 11. .to 14.50 7.41 . 12.: 1X25 10.4O 2O.0O 1 0.05 15.00 13.S.1 21.40 21.70 7.31 14.03 1 2.54 12.00 1 I.2S o. 1 22.ISO 23.10 1 1 .00 15.40 12.77 12.5S 12.U5 22.S7 75.O0 12.3K 1.-I.1 I 1 1..-.R 14.30 27.55 27.50 22.50 Zt I .HO 20.70 32.17 17.15 20.15 24. NO 1 S.05 27.30 23.40 22.47 2 1 .1)7 in.ni 1.7I 2S.05 14.KS 24.00 35.05 .-tn.r.o 42.KA 40.50 27.77 1 7 .HI I .75 25. .-i 2K.KO :tn.5o 42.SO 35.05 4.5 . 20.55 1.2 19.50 20. n 51.25 15.25 17.25 27.75 25.83 21. S5 24.67 22. 0 12.15 31.05 44.50 28.75 30.00 34. 0 38.45 49.45 42.05 45.00. 37.25 42.35' 42.80 " 41.40 37.25 56.20 4.20 62.80 59.65 44.50 43.45 4 3.45 57.85 43.SO 42.45 47.90 64.55 45.7". 40.00 59.45 59.20 66.20 46.45 54.50 52.95 47.95 K9.75 74.55 64.35 KS.60 55.65 54.15 60.1 5 54.00 50. 1 0 67.65 76.30 61.25 66. S5 56.05 78.20 5.9.O0 ?4.85 69.50 90.70 69.50 -7S.S5 92.70 69.05 69.60 76.55 69.50 90 70 74.85 69.50 S.",.50 96.95 The Motor Truck Owner who operates a Lee Trailer Body or Loader in connection with his truck carries two loads each trip. Saves time. Makes. 83 additional profit from his truck. . Does not have to overload. Have you, Mr. Truck Owner, considered the Lee Line? Authorized Solas and Ser-vicc" Sinx 1903- 60 N. Broadway at Davis Broadway 321 EE woHsej. uia est Piston Rings FORD SIZE, diagonal, 7 FORD SIZE, step-cut, 10e ALL OTHER SIZES, step cut 170 COMPRESSO, two-piece, never-leak , ...78 Quality guaranteed. Comfy Cushions Art-leather stuffed with ka pok and cotton. Usual price, $2.50. SALE PRICE S1.64 t 1 Goggles Imitation tortoise shell, with or without side shields. SALE PRICE J54 Values up to $1.75. Gem Grease Guns Large handsome gun, screw action; two spouts for oil or grease. Regular price $2.00. SALE PRICE $1.41 Sterling Spring Oilers An effective oiler that keeps your springs properly lubri cated. Usual price $1.00. PER SET OF FOUR . .9 Ford Connecting Rods "SECO" drop forged, best quality. Usual price $2.50. SALE PRICE. . .... $1.48 Ford Oil Gauge Cast brass, with drain cock; shows level of oil in crank case. Usual price 50c. SALE PRICE 37 Yakima Bellingham Boise Phone Bdwy. 5508 Walla Walla Trailers Bodies Loaders iwoior ar urbanization on the Pacific Coast. EH San Francisco, Oakland, Los EE Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Portland. ' The upholstery is satisfyingly deep and the occupa-nts sit well down. In llllllillllllllllllM many American cars the seats are too