THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAV PORTLAXp, NOVEMBER 21, 1920
MOTOR TRUCKS GAIN
BY RISE IN FREIGHTS
Writer Declares1 Autos Are
Quicker and Cheaper.
SHORT HAUL IS CHANCE
A CORNER OF EASTERN OREGON TRANSPORTED TO A PORTLAND AUTO SALESROOM.
OW
4
t
Less Than Carload Lots Declared
I'pportunity for Machine With
Trailer Attached.-
Why You Want
- r ' ' l St f j,
"I I I K- 1
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-of 3 J
This Sedan Ps
"The motor truck branch of the
automobile Industry was much en
couraged by the increase Jn rail
road freight rates. TUelr trucks
have been increasing competitors of
the railroads for freight In the last
efx years. Higher rail rates should
divert more and more business to
them," says a writer In a recent
Issue of "Financial America."
"This is true particularly of ship
ments in 'less than carload lots." Ex
amination of schedules published by
the railway executives shows that
freight thus classified pays 25 to 33
per cent more ln-increases than car
load lots. The motor truck has Ions
been a bidder for shipment's of small
lots. The owners of the motor truck
express companies that cover the
plain highways between large cities
In the closely populated states should
experience an expansion of business
as a result of these higher rail rates
on email shipments.
Kretebt Rates Are HtKh.
"On a 28-pound tub of butter mov
ing from the Chicago packing house
to Philadelphia the rail increase is
10.8 cents, or about S8.6 for a ton. On
a bushel of potatoes from the nearby
Jersey fields at Swedesboro the in
crease is 3 8 cents, or about $1.33 a
' ton of 87 bushels. On a barrel of ap
ples sent from the orchard3 near
Penn Yan, in central New York state,
the increase is 25', 4 .cents, or about
14.60 a ton. On canned fruits from
the canneries near Cambridge, Md., to
Philadelphia the increase is $1.76 for
the ton. On dressed meats from the
Chicago packing house the rail in
crease Is $9.68 per ton.
"AH these additions give an advan
tage to the motor truckman outside
of the great gain in time over rail
freight, which may occupy from a
week to two months in covering the
routes mentioned, dependent on the
degree of congestion and the work-
ins of priority regulations. Owing to
ruinous delays during the last year,
many manufacturers of small and
valuable products have been using
the motor truck to the exclusion of
other carriers. This has been a use
ful resort in the delivery of season
able goods, which suffer most from
delays in transport.
Trailer Doubles Lond.
"It Is estimated that unler ordi
nary road conditions the five-ton
truck will drag to market for tlje
shipper a five-ton trailer, giving a
total load of ten tons. The. increase
shown by the railroad rates on such
ten-ton lots of farm products ranges
from $13 nearby to $86 at such long
distances as that of Chicago to the
Atlantio coast. If the motor truck
can save the increase to the shipper
and consumer it will establish itself
on many new routes.
"A saving of the minimum amount, i
$13 on a daily trip from the nearby
shipping point, would give for 300
working days $3900 a year. At this
rate the truck and trailer would
Quickly pay for themselves.
"The lioston manufacturer who has
"been compelled to send his shoes to
Philadelphia by motor truck will find
no inducement to resume rail ship
ment in the increased rates now de
manded. He can put about 4800 pairs
of men's shoes aboard the five-ton
truck and t....iler. For a similar ship
ment by rail there has been added
about $28. The different is an addi
tional incentive to the manufacturer
to continue use of the much faster
truck.
Truck Speeds Delivery.
"The truck not only speeds the
manufacturer's delivery, but it Is
loaded at his door and unloaded at
the door of his agent of customer in
the distant city. Thus two local wag
on or truck hauls between ware
houses and freight stations are saved.
This same advantage is obtained by
many other shippers and is one reason
for the great growth in the use of
motor transportation.
"There is no reason to doubt that
this comparatively new .vehicle of
commerce is about to enter a period
of nation-wide development. Low
freight rates have long been an ob
stacle to this growth. Their removal
cannot fail to stimulate it.
ITKRISTIti DISPLAY OK W. C. GARB IS I?(C FEATU
COBB TOIBK
One of the most unusual displays ever installed in a
showing the Studebaker six in which lrvin S. Cobb, well
central Oregon. Every effort has been made to faithful
spattered with, mud and battered with heavy travel as I
tral figure. The result is a dinplay which has caused h
were used to transform the concrete salesroom floor In
placed a number of juniper trees and a quantity of sag
of animals of the plains, together with a couple of stuf
Rl.vr; THE STUDEBAKER CAR IS WHICH JRVIN S.
D OREGON. .
Portland auto salesroom is that of W. C. Garbe, Inc..
known writer and humorous lecturer, and party toured
ly reproduce a central Oregon scene, with the car, still
t was the day it grot back from the bard trip, as the cen-
undreds to stop and inspect. Half a dozen tons of sand
to an Oregon desert, and upright in the sand have been
e brush, imported from central Oregon. Bleached bonea
fed coyotes, finish the weft-rounded picture.
SPEED SPOILS HIGHWAYS
CARE SHOULD BE USED, SATS
CITV TRAFFIC HEAD.
MARKET ROADS ARE PRAISED
Projects in Lane County Meet Hie
Approval of Engineer.
EUGENE, Or., Nov. 20. (Special.)
:. u. wnitmore, state highway en-
Einer in charge of market road
looked over two of Lane county's most
Important market road projects this
week and expressed his approval of
the manner In which they have been
constructed and complimented the
ccunty court and heads of the road
construction department on the class
cf construction.
The engineer Informed the members
ef the court that Lane county's share
of marketroad money for next year
is approximately $35,000, but before
the money can be procured It will be
necessary to match it by taxation and
the lax to be levied for this purpose
will be 1.57 mills, according to figures
rrhmltted by members of the court.
The engineer was taken over the
new macadam road through the Col
lege Crest hills, which is a part of the
new Lorano highway, and pronounced
is to be one of the finest road3 in the
etate. He was also taken over the
Vohawk valley road and commented
favorably upon the work there. These
ere both market roads upon which
state money has been used.
ELECTION ALREADY OX SIGNS
Trucks, In Particular, Are Harm
ful When Driven at Too Great
Rate of Speed.
If the speed of every commercial
car and truck were kept within the
legal bounds at all times the cost
of maintaining bridges and streets
would be considerably reduced and
their life would be longer, in the
opinion of Captain H. A. Lewis, head
of the traffic bureau of the Portland
police department. Captain Lewis
has been making a study of damage
caused by speeding of heavy vehicles,
both from a standpoint of wear and
tear on roads and bridges and also
from the standpoint of accidents.
The traffic head, together with
Chief Jenkins of the police depart
ment, has been selected to serve on
the executive board of the Interna
tional Traffic Officers' association,
which will hold Its next annual meet
ing at Cleveland, O., beginning De
cember 6. While neither of the Port
land officers will be able to attend,
the meeting is being looked forward
to with much interest, as plans for
uniform traffic laws will be adopted
at that time and steps taken to put
these plans before the law making
bodies of each state. ' !
Passing of-such laws, in the opin-i
ion of traffic officers generally.
would mean greater protection to the
public and convenience to drivers. It
is also bel'eved that, with local and.
state laws throughout the entire
country in conformity, greater suc
cess would be met in enforcing the
traffic laws uniformly in all . localities.
"Few people realize the extent of
damage done every year to Oregon
roads by excessive speeding," said
Captain Lerfis. "particlarly by heavy
commercial cars and trucks. And if
we want more good roads it is neces
sary for us all to work together to
reduce to a minimum the cost of up
keep of the improved highways we
alrady have.
"Oregon regulates the size of trucks
by license, but it is of as much-importance
that attention be given the
question of speed, as lighter trucks
driven at too great speed can cause
more damage to roads and streets
than heavy ones driven as they should
be. It is possible for all operators
of this class of motors to install
governing devices on their -machines.
which will regulate the speed, feuch
devices do much to protect the roads,
and it is also claimed for them that
they show considerable saving in!
operation for truck owners. Of
course governors are not necessary
where the drivers at all times use
care and precaution, but too frequently
this is not the case."
The public is also Interested from
another standpoint, he stated, that of
safety. The number of accidents
which are caused by speeding and
lack of control would be greatly re
duced by the. use of governors, it is
claimed. Traffic, records from all
over the country "show that the ma
jority of every-day accidents are
caused by one of the above reasons.
The number is steadily Increasing,
and the operators of motors as well
as the public are demanding more
protection.
The answer to the above Is, limit
the speed either by the application
of some kind of governor, or by the
employment enough officers, by
the city and state, to effectively en
force all laws as to speed, tonnage.
etc., for the protection of the public
and the highways.
MANY CARS IX NEW YORK
Over 300,000 Operated in City
Each Days,' Says Report.
NEW YORK, Nov. 20, According
to figures furnished to the Automo
bile club of America by Frank p.
Redmond, chief of the automobile
bureau in New York City, over 300,000
motor vehicles are operated in Great
er New York daily.
These figures, great as they are
in themselves, dp not take Into con
sideration the enormous number of
motor vehicles from other states that
enter New Tork daily, and In a meas
ure explain the great increase in the
number of accidents during the past
three years. According to Mr. Red
mond there has been an increase of
410 per cent in registration since 1914.
The official figures in 1911 and 1920
are as follows:
1914.
Passenger cars 6-',.084
Commercial j 11,143
Dealers 604
Chauffeurs
1 !'.'.
208.000
64.500
1.618
15D.0U0
E. R. WIGGIXS OX TRIP EAST
Head of Local Equipment Com
pany to Attend Chicago Meet.
E. R. Wiggins, president and gen
eral manager of Wiggins company.
Inc., left last week foT an extended
trip through eastern states. He is ac
companied on this trip by Mrs. Wig
gins. Mr. Wiggins will attend the fifth
annual meeting of the Automotive
Equipment association in Chicago and
will also see the second annual auto
motive equipment show, held In the
Coliseum during the show. Manufac
turers . of all classes of automotive
equipment display at this show, which
is held In the largest building in that
city.
Mr. Wiggins will also go to Akron,
Ohio, the home of the Diamond tire,
and familiarize himself in general
with trade conditions and new items
pertaining to the needs of the motor
ist. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins wiill re
turn to Portland early in December.
MO THE JEN ELECT
OFFICERS CHOSEX AT AXXUAL
MEETING OF ASSOCLVTTOX.
CLUTCH ACTION IS TOLD
THAT OX HUDSOX AND ESSEX
IS OF MULTIPLE DISC TYPE
Name Changed From Garage and
Repairmen to Portland Auto
motive Trades.
At a meeting of the Portland
Automotive Trades association, held
Wednesday - evening at the Benson
hotel, officers for the coming year
were elected, and official action was
taken confirming the suggestion of
an earlier meeting and changing the
name of the organization, -which had
been formerly known as the Portland
Garage and Repair Men s association.
The following are the new officers:
President, C. L. Weaver, Weaver Tire
shop; first vice-president, Axel- Kil
dahl, Lents garage: second vice-president,
Edward Burke, Burke's garage;
third vice-president, L. L. Blumen
thal, Oregon Fan Belt company: sec
retary, R. H. Cross, Bearing Service
company; treasurer, Don Bates, Port
land garage; members of .the execu
tive board, R. D. O'Brien, Union
avenue garage, and C. V. Conant,
Conant & Buchtel.
Departmental vice-presidents with
supervision over the various automo
bile trades represented in the asso
ciation, were also elected, as follows:
Battery and electrical shops, J. W.
Van Matre, Howard & Van Matre;
garages, K. N. Donaldson, interstate
garage; machine and repair- shops,
V. C. Undeen, Factory Motor Car com
pany; tire repair shops, L. M. Harper,
Harper & Hall; paint and trimmings
shop, Paul Staiger, Auto Sales com
pany; sheet metal and wheel shops,
G. G. Gerber.
The first New York automobile
show was held In 1900.
YV. J. McRell of C. L. Boss Com
pany Explains 'Why Cork Inserts
Are Saturated in Oil.
"The Hudson and Essex clutch Is of
the multiple disc, running in oil type.
It has two sets of discs, both of steel,
one set having cork Inserts, explains
W. J. McRell of the C. L. Boss Auto
mobile company, Hudson and Essex
distributors.
"Its operation is based on the the
ory that there is a great deal of
friction between cork and steel, but
that the former element is extremely
soft. In consequence the Hudson and
Essex clutch is very Bmooth in action,
but once engaged very seldom slips.
"The clutch Itself is self-contained
in an oil tight case,, which is part of
the flywheel.
- "All discs are made of steel stamp
ings. One set being carefully flattened
and machined, while the same num
ber which comprise the other set
have numerous holes in them. Into
which cork inserts are punched.
"The corks are first soaked in wa
ter and then forced into the holes
by a special machine. The corks prove
highly efficient,' as they insure a
smooth clutch, which does not jerk
in getting under way or under a load.
"The clutch spring is located in a
hole bored in the end of the crank
shaft and the pressure is transmitted
to the clutch drum through a ball
thrust bearing. This spring is care
fully tested before it is ' assembled
and properly set when the car leaves
the factory.
"Small springs are also placed be
tween discs In order to facilitate their
separation when clutch Is released.
"Owing to the fact that the cork
inserts become saturated with oil, this
type Is difficult to abuse, compared
to other types. It needs practically
no attention except proper lubrica
tion. The best lubrication is a mix
ture of half motor oil and half kero
sene, which prevents grabbing and
freedom of action when released.".
OVERHEATING BATTERY BAD
Evaporation of Water May Cause
Deterioration of Plates.
"Be careful not to overheat your
battery," is the advice of Dave Welch
of the U. S. L. battery service station
here, "as overheating expedites evap
oration of water from the electrolyte,
causes deterioration of plates and
separators, and tends to buckle plates,
in fact will ruin the battery.
"Overheating by discharge will not
occur except under conditions where
the driver is very much to blame,
such as making the .starter spin the
engine or run the car by holding the
starting button In for a long period.
"If any point In the electrical sys
tem is out of ordjr and the generator
is allowed to overcharge the battery,
overheating will occur. Therefore it
is always well to inspect your battery
after a long, hard drive as follows:
Feel of the lead links and cover. If
warm remove the vents from the cells
and insert a thermometer, made of
liquids, into the electrolyte. The tem
perature should never be more than
110 degrees J? . It It Is hlgner than
110 degrees F. the battery has a fever
and the battery doctor should be con-
yi3"--mmJI MINUTE MAN SIX
ALREADY the reaction to the price excitement has
.come. As always "Water finds its levcL"
Today the Lex-Sedan stands higher than ever in the
public esteem. Its value appears greater, its price fairer,
and its advanced design more desirable.
r
Here are the reasons why substantial people are
now ordering Lex-Sedans
They are protected against price reductions.
They realize, regardless of price, that it is poor
economy to buy a closed car now that will be old-style
next year.
They know the Lex-Sedan is the leading style'
closed car type- for seasons to come.
They want the exclusive advantages of Lexington
that include the Moore Multiple Exhaust System, the
Lexi-gasifier, the Cable Foot Brake, the One-finger
Emergency Brake, the 2-Way Head Lamps, etc
They want this Lex-Sedan because it is lighter,
easier to handle, and decidedly more economical of gas
and tires. There is no excess weight and no overload
for the motor.
They know only Lexington can offer this un
usual value, because of a close working alliance between
all material souyes.
They know the value to them of having a car
built by a company that is closely affiliated with tea
other factories specializing in motor car parts.
They will not be satisfied with anything inferior,
but want the fine appearance and perfect interior ap
pointments of this Lex-Sedan.
And, above all, they have been shown in actual
demonstration that the Lexington leads in perXormance,
comfort, and economy.
The above are a few reasons why we want an op
portunity to show you how to get the most for youc
money right now in this Lex-Sedan. See us today.
We Are Delivering Nov? the Lexington Models that
will be Current Throughout the Season of 1921
Oregon Lexington Company
430 Burnside .Portland Phone Bdwy. 486
Lexington Motor Company, Connersville, Indiana, U. S. A.
SmbtUtmy VmUM Stattt 4mumXf Corporation
suited Immediately to save the bat
tery from death and yourself from a
big expense."
The United States Light & Heat
corporation of Niagara Falls, N. Y.,
are distributing free of charge upon
request a booklet on the care of bat
teries, called "The Black Mystery
Box Explained."
Bulletin Board of V. S. Tire Coin
pauy at Marion, O., Has News.
Already the outcome of the presi
dential election has been recorded on
the roadside historical bulletin boards
Of the United States Tire company.
At Marlon, O., the book carries this
Irformatlon: "Marion is the Ohio
home of Warren Gamaliel Harding,
who was elected twenty-ninth presi
dent of the United States on his fifty
fifth birthday (November 2, 19SO) by
the largest popular plurality ever
recorded."
And at Northampton, Mass., one of
the big boards reads as follows:
"Northampton is the Massachusetts
home of Calvin Coolldge, who, on No
vember 3, 1930, was elected vice
president of the United States by the
largest plurality ever recorded for
that office."
In 1808 gasoliiie sold for 6 cents a
gallon..
A amit-swim i-wiiminmnr rain
William L. Hughson Co.
CO '. Broidiur at Darla St.
Phone Itroailnay 321
J
Buy
RE
PUBLI
UCK
C
REPUBLIC TRUCKS, BACKED WITH
ROBERTS SERVICE, MAKE TRANS
PORTATION PROBLEMS SIMPLE.
Roberts Motor Gar Co.
Boise, Idaho Vancouver, Wash. Portland, Or.
Largest Exclusive Truck Dealer in the Northwest
IX.
JIASOX BRANCH COMES HERE
Local Concern Named to Act for
Tire Manufacturing Company.
The Mason Tire Sales company, 83
North Broadway, which has been
handling Mason tires throughout this
territory, has been made a direct fact
ory branch of the Mason Tire com
pany, according to word received here
last week. Naming of the company as
the direct branch came following a
visit here about two weeks ago of
John H. Diehl. sales manager and
vice-president of the Mason company,
which is located at Kent, Ohio. That
Mr. riehl was well satisfied with his
inspection of the local company was
shown by the fact that a short time
after his departure he sent back word
that the establishment of the branch
had been decided upon.
The company has been under the
management of John M. Bruhn and
Catlin Wolfard, who will continue
with the branch organization, with
Wolfard as branch manager. The 1
territory of the branch for the dis
tribution of Mason tires will be Ore'
gon eastern Washington and north
ern Idaho.
and 1000 tubes. On account of the
poor roads and the high cost of gas
oline in Japan, automobiles are not
extensively used in the land of Nip
pon. The cars in actual use are con
fined - to the cities and are owned
mostly by the wealthy class, although
a few are operated as taxicabs.
Increase in Tire Production.
. During the present temporary con
ditions in' the automotive industry
1920 sales of the Miller Rubber com
pany, Akron. O.. are indicative of the
soundness of the industry which is
second only to steel in its impor
tance today. Over the record year of
1$19 sales to date show an increase
of over 18 per cent, the company has
reported.
Automobiles in Japan.
What is thought to he the largest
single automobile tire order yet re
ceived from Japan has just been re
ported by the Goodyear Tire & Rub
ber company. The Goodyear order
Just shipped amounted to 1000 tires
If mamwm&mnt II
Get Behind the Wheel
And drive the Elgin .
Then you'll know why
Judges named it
"World's Champion
- Light Six"
Weller Motor Company
Distributors
Washington at Fifteenth Street v
Phone Broadway 2656
'Unrestricted Power
The TITAN lock and seal is a patented
feature found only in Titan batteries an
ingenious arrangement comprising a rub
ber busblng, a compression ring, and a
hard rubber lock ring that makes the post
hole leak-proof and corrosion-proof with
out the use of adbeshre compound.
Ask the TITAN service station man to
show you this lock-seal and explain
how it saves you money.
LOCAL SALES AND SERVICE STATIONS
TITAN BATTERY AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
L. E. Kurtichanof, Mgr.
411 Davis Street
COMMERCIAL MOTOR CAR CO,
E. 11th and Burnside
Western Electric Company
Equipment for Every Electrical Need
Wholesale Only