Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1899 — AUTOMOBILE MAIL CARTS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AUTOMOBILE MAIL CARTS.

London Postal Authorities Are Using Them in i tit Districts. In London the general postoffice automobile carts are being subjected to a severe test by the postal authorities, and it Is believed that they will be put in general use. Those who have watched the new vehicle say they are faster than any that have yet been tried. Their appearance is up-to-date In every way. Imagine a wagon, not unlike the mail wagons of New York with an immense hood over the driver's seat, and back of It another case of handsomely polished wood, which Is used for the sup-

plementary mails. Affixed to the dashboard is a large gong which gives a clear note of warning as the motorman steers his wagon in and out among the great mass of vehicles of all sorts that are always to be found on a London street. The seat is the entire width of the cart, which is of course four wheeled, and the motorman supplies or withdraws the power by means of a small lever not unlike the levers on the trolleys in Greater New York. He works this with his right hand and a brake with his left. The,front wheels of the wagon are small enough to swing under the body of the vehicle. They work on a pivot and the wagon can be turned almost in its own length. It is the facility with which these wagons can be sent around a corner or worked through a winding lane between lines of other wagons and drays that makes she new motor cart valuable.

LONDON’S AUTOMOBILE MAIL CARTS.