PORTLAND, OREGON, SUNDAY MORNING, PECEMBER 19, 1920.
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Wv'M fib IK I! v H 1 ;a
LS LIST OF NEW
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUGGESTIONS
For the Man and Woman Who Motor or Who Aspire to That Ex
perience, Holiday Remembrances That Have to Do With the
Car Are in Order.
, By Frank A. Clarvoe
Say what one will, things automotive are looming up as excellent gifts
with which to dispense the joys of Christmas, show one's love and devotion
.,v. ucuiuciB ui ine idiuii. ana ai.ine same lime pai me money
'where it will bf enjoyed.; Imagine an automotive Christmas, with all the
gifts purchased smacking of a flavor of gasoline, figuratively speaking, of
murse, and aimed to cTieer the tired chauffeur or smooth the line of dull
tare from the brow of the honest millionaire. '
It would be quite simple to go about
"it. First there is the motor car itself.
If there were sufficient funds in the
family stocking or the family bank, as the
-as might be. imagine the pleasure one's
mother fir wif n.'nnM Vi'j i-a u V. ttr. lb..
pink ribbon was unwound and a shiny
vnupe or snappy chummy roadster would
"come "forth, to be exclaimed over anil
all that sort of thing. Naturally, only
. Hie more wealthy could afford such a
lasting token of affection. More con
servative folks .would have to hew closer
- to the line' of their financial capabili
ties, their presents taking the form of
- various and sundry embellishments with
which the modern motor car i frequently"
adorned.
Some people give sweaters or ear
muffs, when there is apparently no rea-
sou'for that sort nf irift Rut at 9 rt
Automotive Christmas such articles
' would be more than welcome. Karmuffs
are the verv things with which tn e-rin
a grease cup when doing the monthly
."turning down," and a sweater is the
finest mantle in. the world to cover a
shivering radiator. No need to' sub
stitute other bits of merchandise for
sweaters and earmuffs. Some people
give. books. This year, Christmas 1020,
is in-"fact a book year.
"many si:hstiti;tes AVAILABLE ... ;
Kbr an automotive Christmas, one
could substitute a book of "Rules of the
Jload," a jazzy little treatise on ."The
Pedestrian ' and - His Habits"; "What
Traffic Cops Do During a Gasoline
,sMiormRe i' or some ngni nine mono
graph on "Stiueak Birds and How to
Know Them." No library is complete
without the8e: volumes, which, if they
have, not as yet been printed, may in
. e : . . .1 . . . . . . . t : .
lime lulu iitrii i a j w : um uuui., iiuai
Christmas pechaps.
But aside from books, one could think
of a score oV more substitutes which
would' be tf inestimable value.' in more
ways than one, should the public mind
turn seriously to a consideration of a
gasoline Santa Claus.
Some men wake up to a 'snappy Tule
- tide to find a gayly bedecked bathrobe
hanging from the foot of the bed or to
fy a yellow smoking jacket protruding
' from the top of a sock pinned, to the
mantle. Why not a duster, gay in color
even as the bathrobe, with high yellow
stripes and something snappy in polka
dots? Or a suit of coveralls, fashioned
or gay pongee with cunningly worKea
vale-stems on the collar, not to' mention
' initials in, pink silk on the pockets?
Salad, forks, .as gifts, are not confined
t v M in iiic5 uiau , c jrrjjirr nuu usnc wcu
ding invitations seriously, and are some
times used to fill out a Christmas list.
, Why not, a pearl-handled monkey
wrenph. a steel and nickle lug wrench
with ebony handle, a real leather tool
. kit. an engraved jack, or a hand-carved
tire pump? Imagine the pleasure of a
husband or father pulling a gold-plated
valve-gauge from the toe of his hosiery.
Women, who in normal times have the
utmost repard and affection for their
husbands, frequently are inspired to give
cigars and cigarettes, invariably picking
the wrong brands. Why "not divert this
enthusiasm through safer channels, and,
at an automotive Yuletide, take the
money with which "The Weed" might
have been purchased and procure an in
ner tube or two to lay by the fireplace
or on the breakfast plate?
The Christmas cravat frequently
leaves much to be desired, and shekels
so spent might be utilized to rut another
tire cover in circulation, snappily en
graved with the initials or the monogram
of - the donee.
LOTS OF OTHER THINGS
Santa Claus has in times past brought
rugs to the house of some cheery family.
Why not a set of seat covers? Consider
. able pleasure could be given with the
presentation of a set of windshield
wings or a radiator cover. A hood
blanket is considered by many to be aii !
i appropriate gift. This could serve as a
hammock for the baby in warm weather.
Who could improve upon a basket
lunch kit, with all the necessary and at
tendant utensils? ; When company is
present in large quantities and no trip
is planned the knives and forks could
be pressed into service to swell the sun
ply of family silver. It may be quite
the thing in society, some day, to serve
mock picnic luncheons In the boudoirs
of the "400" while a storm rages with
out. A set would be handy should the
craze strike us.
There are gifts Innumerable. All one
has to dp is study the ways and habits
of the intended victim, find out what
he lacks that he should have, buy it,
and give it to him Christmas morning.
On the other hand, there are other ways
in which one might express appreciation
of friendship during " the merry Yule-
tide. Suppose one has been in the habit
of riding to work in the neighbor's car
and has noticed a bad saueak in one
of therear springs. Call him up Christ
mas-eve somewhat after this -fashion:
"I say, John, Merry . Christmas. By
the way, that beastly squeak that has
Deen potnertng us tor tne past montn ;
go down and have that spring fixed and
charge it to me. It's my Christmas present."
JOHN -WOl'LB BE . BE LIGHTED!
Or, perhaps, there has been a bad
knock in the engine. Tell your friend
to go down and have the blame thing
looked into. The rain may have been
leaking down your neck from a hole in
r
s -
V
5?
A 1 , i
'Have You Seen
JOHN A. WALTER
About That Partial
Payment Plan on
Falls Tires and
Evergreen Tubes?
JOHN A. WALTER
TIRE CO;
Stark St; Near 10th
BDWT. 103S
r'
iSiH
AS HESU LT 0 F CO 11 R II
Highway Bond Issues of Six Counties Legalized by State Supreme
Court in Decision of Momentous Significance to Road, Build-
W '.!
ing Campaign. . y
A recent "decision of the state tsupreme court will add $6,000,000 to the ,
total available funds to be expended by counties in road improvement
during the coming year. These additional funds are to be derived from
bond issues which have been authorized by six counties and which were
withheld by a former decision of thecourt declaring them to be invalid.
.On a rehearing of the case a majority ,of the court reversed the former
opinion and decided that it was not necessary to enact further' jeglslation
to make effective the. amendment to the constitution raising the limit of
-county indebtedness for roads from 2 to 6 per cent of the total assessed
valuation of the county voted by popular vote in 1919. -j j I
' The six counties affected by the de
cision of the supreme court and the
amount of their respective bond issues
are the following : -County
Bond Issue.
Lane Jll.oon.ooo
Clackamas 17!W
Union l.tM'w
.lackson 500.000
Yamhill 420,000
Crook 220.000
Total ...J6.338.000
PLANS DI8ItRAXGED
To a certain extent this bond money
was to be used by the counties in co
operation with the state highway de
partment on the main highways, but
in Lane' and Clackamas counties it was
chiefly to be applied to the" county sys
tem of roads.
The effect of the early decision of
the supreme court invalidating the Issues
was to disarrange considerably plabs for
construction for 1920. Another element
was the inability of the counties to dis
pose of bonds at par under the condi
tions of the money market.
Now that 'the bonds have been de
clared leeal, it is presumed that ' the
plans under which they were voted will
be carried out next year,. ; In-Iane coun
ty the ' bulk of the issue Is -to be used
in grading and macadamizing a county
system of roads, articulating with the
state system. '
The Clackamas county issue provides
for the general improvement : of the
county roads and the paving of certain
sections. It also contained an appro
priation of 1100,000 which was to be
used in the construction of a new bridge
acrrss the Willamette 'river at Oregon
CIV In cooperation with the state. Plans
for this bridge have-not been definitely
prepared. A tentative design! for a con
crete structure was drawn up by the
state highway department which it w
estimated would ; cost approximately
$450,000. Since the estimate ! was .made
there has developed a. tendency to lower
prices and it is possible that the cost
could be materially reduced. iAs another
alternative it is suggested that a cheaper
type can be designed.
The first decision of the supreme court
declaring the Clackamas county issue
invalid resulted in considerable compli
cation regarding road money,'
On the theory that the decision was
final 'the county passed another bond
issue at the November election provid
ing $250,000 for the Oregon icity bridge
cooperation. . Thl has now i become in
valid by reason ot the net. mat tne
issue would carry the indebtedness of
the county beyond the 6 pe cent limit.
In addition to this a number of districts
in the county have special taxes for
road improvement under, the- impression
that the $1,700,000 bond issue was in
valid. 'The situation may lead to a com
plete revision of county plans.
In Jackson county the bond issue is
to be devoted mainly to ai cooperation
With the state and federal government
in ttnnrovlnc- the Crater lake road.
Yamhill county's issue Is to pay ror
the grading of the Pacific highway.
The Crook county issue is to be de
voted to the improvement iof the road
up Crooked river canyon and between
Prineville and the Ochoco forest boun
dary, -j '. . - j i :
' Motor vehicle shipments from factories
during the month of August were report?
ed to be the heaviest in the history of
the industry. I i I
What to Do If She Stops Dead
? 9. 9. 9, t 9. 9, 9. 9, 9. 9, . 9.
Probable Troubles Explained
(Concluded on Pace Two. Column One)
High Tire Tariff
Halts Australia's
Purchase of Autos
Australian motorists are chafing un
der the excessive cost of tires in that
island continent and naturally wonder
ing how soon a measure of relief will
come to them. ,
The present 40 per cent general, tariff
on tires and tubes is held responsible
for the registration of only 60.000 cars
In Australia, where it is claimed there
should be 200,000 cars, figuring the same
per capita basis that prevails in Kng
land. The trade holds that the high tariff
now prevailing is having a blighting ef
fact on the industry. President Dun
can of the Motor Traders' association
declares the protection which' Australian
Vire makers have enjoyed for 20 years
is no longer needed. He says tires cost
80 per cent more in Australasia than in
America. ' :
170 Trees Planted
j On Pacific Highway
' Centralia, Wash., Dec 18. At a meet
ing of the civic department of the Civic
Club. Mrs. G. L. Hood less, reporting as
Chairman Of the city beautiful commit
tee, said more than 170 trees had been
Planted through the efforts of this com
mittee along .the Pacific highway be
tween Centralia and Chehalis, the only
Strip of highway in Western Washing
ton which has been beautified in this
manner.
L
Myrtle Point Asks
Overhead Cro s sing
. Salem.-Dec. 18. -The state highway de
partment has filed with the public serv
ice commission an application covering
the construction of a crossing over" th
tracks of the Southern Paoific iomnan
at Myrtle Creek.
By Mike De CIoco
When the motor of Mr. Motorist
stops dead, with or without the oc
casional "fut! fut!" the first ques
tion he usually asks himself, either
in plain or profane language, or both,
is "How did it get that way?"
He may ask himself that, he may
question his passengers, if any, or he
may stop innocent passersby to get them
into an argument. Sometimes he gets
busy and finds the' trouble, thus answer
ing his own question ;" sometimes he
gets some good passing Samaritan to
come and see why the wheels won't go
'round What every motorist should
learn to do is diagnose his own car's
ailments.
The gas line from the tank to the,
carburetor Is one great trouble-maker.
Dirt, water and rust from the tank
walls get into this thin line and cause
all kinds of - worry before the actual
trouble is discovered. When the motor
stops from a stopped feed pipe, the only
thing to do is to clean it out. But how?
Suppose your engine quits . with some
funny sounds from the direction of the
carburetor. First, see that there is ras
in the tank, and if there is, your trouble
is a dirty carburetor or a clogged gas
line. Open the pitcock at the bottom of
the carburetor and see if gas 'is in the
float chamber. No gas coming out?
Well, disconnect the gas line leading to
the carburetor and if gas comes out. the
trouble is a clogged screen just in front
of the line connection. Here is where
many gas lines become clogged. To
clean strainer, ynscrew plug and drop
connection, remove dirt until flow is free
and - then make connection again. If
then the gas does not flow, the trouble
js farther back, probably in the screen
right at the gas tank, near the water
pocket. Clean this out by disconnecting.
Considerable trouble can be eliminated
by draining the tank occasionally
through the . pitcock . provided for that
purpose, under the gas tank.
Cars provided with vacuum tanks have
another strainer on top the vacuum tank
where the gas line connects. To clean
this strainer make disconnection in
usual manner, the loosened coupling and
line discovering the business end of "the
screen. If all strainers are clean and no
gas comes, disconnect the line and blow
through the pipe. Sometimes a mighty
blast from compressed air is necessary
to completely free the line of all dirt.
A dirty gas line 'is seldom noticed, par
ticularly oh cars with no vacuum tank,
until one starts uphill. Then the motor
spits like a cat. The line needs atten
tion. On cold mornings a little atten
tion to the carburetor; will prevent
trouble. If, the engine spits and pops,
adjust carburetor by. closing air valve
lalf turn or opening needle valve one
ighth turn.
1 The other reason for a sudden quitting
of the motor is ignition, a case when the
motor dies without murmur or a spit.
Ignition trouble may be caused by neg
lected connections, loose or exposed
wires, toose fitting brushes, loose bat
tery connection, or circuit breaker not
breaking right. If ignition runs from
the battery, te.t out system by stepping
on starter and wktching dial on dash.
If ammeter does not quiver and the
starter does not kick 'er over, look, at
your battery connections, particularly
the ground wire, which can be found by
"getting under the place where the bat
tery is kept. See that these terminals
are securely connected and free from
corrosion. . The . battery should be re
filled with distilled water every two
weeks.
Clean battery connections by unscrew
ing plug on end of wire connection and
scrape with a knife. Treat both connec
tions this way. Another place to trace
trouble is a loose wire connection on
ground coil or distributor box. Some
times trouble may be traced to the key
connection. By workine starter and
wiggling key around in its socket this
can be remedied temporarily, although
expert attention should be given the part
as soon as possible; . '
When the car is equipped with mag
neto, is best to leave the tinkering to
someone who knows the business. The
only remedy in case of a ground wire
is to disconnect it. This can be found
by tracing the wire running from mag
neto to dash. If the magneto is damp
or wet, the motorist will have a short in
any case, and the only thing to do is
wipe off magneto and dry with air from
hand pump?
Joint Conference of
Officials May Be
Held Here Dec. 20
Salem, Dec. 18. Approval of the. sug
gestion offered by Secretary of State
I Kozer for a. conference of state-officials
on motor vehicle registration and traffic
problems, is expressed by J. Grant Hinkle.
secretary of 'state for Washington, in a
letter received by Kozer Wednesday.
Hinkle suggests the meeting be held in
Portland on December 20, 21 or 22.' Sec
retary of State Jones of Idaho has al
ready expressed his approval of the plan,
suggesting Portland as the meeting
place on December 21 or 22. The secre
tary of state for California is yet to be
heard from before a definite date and
meeting place is announced.
Kozer's suggestion contemplated a con
ference of not only secretaries of state
but of the heads of automobile depart
ments and traffic officials
Built to Extend the Fame of a Good Name
The Oldsmobile "4" is now ready for your inspection at our salesrooms. ;r ,
And it will pay you to approach this car with, an open mind and to, satisfy yourself as to its very,
apparent better value. ' I
So firm are we in our conviction that this addition to the Oldsmobile line crowns every previous
idea of moderate-priced four-cylinder value, that we prefer to leavethe verdict to your personal
inspection.. . ' . ' I.- -,; .
See this car. Observe its evident virtues of permanent style, sane design and sturdier construe?
tion. Note how it retains the same pleasing lines, the fame close attention tot body details that
have always emphasized Oldsmobile beauty and comfort. ;.. v.ij.
Ride in the car. Drive it yourself. Because when you actually drive the car yourself or ride in it
you will appfeciiatethat these surface excellences are but outward signs of its unseen virtues, j
In looking over the Oldsmobile "4" we purposely ask you to forget any preconceived standard you
have. had of value. Because we believe the Oldsmobile "4" is going to sweep aside every precedent
of; four cylinder ; goodness that you may have had of any car of like class. i a
' " . ' '" ' . : ' ".-. '-;" : " " - ! 1
We Will Stay Open Sunday and Evenings
This Week So You Can See This Wonderful Oldsmobile !
THE OLDSMOBILE CO.
of Oregon ..
o:f tT nT
Y. U. B. LANS1NU, MICH.