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Show I White Steamers Use Kerosene as Fuel THE WHITE STEAMER WHICH MADE A SUCCESSFUL PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION OF KEROSENE AS FUEL ON THE RECENT 2650-MILE GLIDDEN TOUR. The most interesting announcement announce-ment ever made in connection with the automobile industry was undoubtedly un-doubtedly that made a month or two ago to the effect that the new models of the "White Steam Cars could be run on kerosene, or coal oil, instead of gasoline. Everyone at once recognized recog-nized that the use of the new fuel would add materially to the advantages advan-tages which the White already possessed pos-sessed over other types of cars. There were some people, however, who were sceptical as to whether or not the new fuel could be used with complete success, and, therefore, the makers of the White Car, the White Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, determined deter-mined to make a public demonstration demonstra-tion of the new fuel in the 1909 Gild-den Gild-den Tour. From the standpoint of the public, no test more satisfactory could have been selected. First of all, the distance dis-tance covered on the Glidden Tour, from Detroit to Denver and thence to Kansas City, was 2650 miles. This was certainly more than sufficient to bring out any weaknesses, if such had existed. Still more important was the fact that the car was at all times while on the road under the supervision supervi-sion of observers, named by those who entered other contesting cars. Therefore, it would have been impossible impos-sible for the driver of the White to have even tightened a bolt without the fact being noted and a penalty inflicted. in-flicted. At night the cars were guarded by Pinkerton detectives and could not be approached by any one. The complete success of the new fuel while on the 2650-mile public test and the advantages gained through its use were well described in the following dispatch which the correspondent of the New York Sun sent to his paper at the conclusion of the tour: "A feature of the tour which was watched with special interest was that the White Steamer used kerosene, kero-sene, or 'coal oil,' as fuel instead of gasoline. The new fuel worked splendidly throughout the 2650-mile journey, and all claims made in its behalf were fully proven. First of all, as regards cheapness, the White driver secured kerosene all along the route from 6 cents to 10 cents cheaper cheap-er per gallon than was paid for gasoline. gaso-line. Secondly, the new fuel was handled without any precautions, and it was not unusual to see kerosene being poured into the fuel tank while the crew of the car and an interested crowd stood by with lighted cigars and cigarettes. At the finish of the tour, the White was the only car permitted per-mitted by the authorities to enter Convention Hall, where the technical examination took place, without draining its fuel tank. Thirdly, the new fuel proved to be absolutely without smoke or smell. Fourthly, kerosene could be purchased at whatever what-ever part of the route was most convenient, con-venient, and not once during the trip through the ten States of the Middle West was there found a grocery store where kerosene was not readily and cheaply obtainable. Finally, the amount of fuel used on the trip showed that kerosene is at least fifteen per cent, more efficient, gallon for gallon, than gasoline. The car in other respects made a most creditable showing, and there was the usual rivalry riv-alry among the observers to be assigned as-signed to the White so that they could ride with the maximum of comfort. com-fort. The only adjustments or repairs re-pairs charged against the car during the long trip were tightening a lubricator lubri-cator pipe and wiring a damaged mud guard. These penalties were not Inflicted In-flicted until more than 2000 miles had been completed with an absolutely absolute-ly perfect score." A particularly interesting feature of the new White Steamer is that either kerosene or gasoline may be used as fuel. The necessary adjustments adjust-ments so that the fuel may be changed from kerosene to gasoline, or vice versa, may be made in a couple of minutes; but so completely successful has kerosene proved to be, that it is not believed that any purchasers will care to use gasoline. The White Company report that the demand for their new steam cars both the ?2000-model and the $4000-model exceed their most sanguine san-guine expectations. It is evident that the combination of steam the power pow-er which everyone understands and has confidence in with kerosene the fuel which everyone has on hand and can handle without any danger is thoroughly appreciated by up-to-date purchasers of automobiles. |